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The yield and carcass chemical composition of impala ( Aepyceros melampus ), a southern African antelope species
Author(s) -
Hoffman Louwrens C
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0010(20000501)80:6<752::aid-jsfa608>3.0.co;2-l
Subject(s) - zoology , biology , sexual dimorphism , composition (language) , chemical composition , dry matter , proximate , chemistry , food science , philosophy , linguistics , organic chemistry
This investigation analyses the commercial carcass yields and chemical composition of impala ( Aepyceros melampus ). The potential of this species for the export market is also discussed. Impala rams (eight) and ewes (eight) cropped commercially in Zimbabwe were found to have a similar dressout proportion (580 g kg −1 ), although the males had a heavier live weight (49.4 ± 4.606 kg) than the females (33.5 ± 3.417 kg). Sexual dimorphism was shown, with the males having significantly ( p < 0.01) heavier necks (69 ± 5.47 g kg −1 ) and forequarters (279 ± 3.79 g kg −1 ) than the females (51 ± 1.70 and 259 ± 2.15 g kg −1 respectively) when expressed as a proportion of cold carcass weight (27.6 ± 2.551 and 19.0 ± 1.960 kg for males and females respectively). No sexual effects ( p > 0.2) were found in the mean chemical proximate composition of the 9‐10‐11 rib cut for the moisture (724.0 ± 14.00 g kg −1 pooled sample), protein (238.3 ± 7.46 g kg −1 pooled sample) and ash (21.2 ± 3.74 g kg −1 pooled sample) contents. The females had a statistically higher ( p = 0.0197) mean total lipid content (33.9 ± 1.705 g kg −1 ) than the males (24.5 ± 3.171 g kg −1 ). This investigation occurred at the end of the impala rut season, a period when the rams not only consume less feed but also expend more energy owing to strenuous activities in fighting for and maintaining a harem. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry