The Ratio of Flesh to Body and Analysis on Biochemical Composition of Muscle in Pachyhynobius Shangchengensis

[Objective] The ratio of flesh content and biochemical compositions in muscles of Pachyhynobius shangchengensis were researched in this experiment to provide basic referrences for studying nutritive physiological ecology of Pachyhynobius shangchengensis. [Method] The biochemical analytic method was used to detect the ratio of flesh content and biochemical compositions in muscle of Pachyhynobius shangchengensis. [Result] The ratio of flesh contents of female and male Pachyhynobius shangchengensis were 54.93% and 55.84% respectively. The contents of protein, total saccharides and fatty acid of female Pachyhynobius shangchengensis were 15.44% ,1.70% and 0.68% respectively,while the same contents of male Pachyhynobius shangchengensis were 15.67%, 1.89% and 0.53% respectively. The total content of 18 kinds of amino acids was 12.72% （the proportion in fresh weight）, among which the content of 8 kinds of essential amino acids was 4.68%. The essential amino acids index（EAAI） was 72.68 and limiting amino acids was valine. There were 11 kinds of fatty acids in muscles of Pachyhynobius shangchengensis, among which the content of unsaturated fatty acids （80.02%） was higher than that of saturated fatty acids（ 19.98% ）. [ Conclusion] Pachyhynobius shangchengensis was a kind of valuable natural resource belonging to the nutritious type of low fat content and high protein content.

Influence of fasting on muscle composition and antioxidant defenses of market-size Sparus macrocephalus

The study was conducted to investigate fasting effects on flesh composition and antioxidant defenses of market-size Sparus macrocephalus. Two hundred fish (main initial weight 580 g) were divided into two groups (control and fasted) and reared in 6 cages. After two weeks of adaptation, group I fasted for 28 d; group II was fed normally as a control. In 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 d, 6 fish per group were sampled for proximate flesh composition, liver antioxidant enzyme activities and malondialdehyde flesh content analyses. In fasted fish, the reduction of lipid content in muscle occurred after day 3, and, compared to controls, the content of protein decreased from day 14, the activities of liver antioxidative enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) increased from day 3, and flesh malondialdehyde levels increased from day 21. Flesh fat reduction shows that fasting may be used as a technique to reduce flesh lipid content in Sparus macrocephalus. However, considering flesh protein loss and the subsequent oxidative stress, the fasting technique should be used with precautions.

Artificial meat? Feasible approach based on the experience from cell culture studies

This short review is to list pros and cons which are based on the literature and personal experience in cell culture studies related to possible commercial production of artificial meat as functional food. The general view of muscle composition and determinants of meat quality are shortly described. Principles of muscle cell propagation in culture and mutual relationships between different cell types present in this organ are briefly discussed. Additionally, the effects of some cytokines and growth factors for muscle cell growth and muscle tissue development are indicated. Finally, conclusion remarks related to detrimental consequences of meat production to natural environment as well as personal opinion of author on the prospects of artificial meat production are declared.

Organic practices and gender are effective strategies to provide healthy pork loin

This study evaluated the influence of husbandry（organic feed and management but not free-ranging vs. conventional） and sex（barrows vs. gilts） on pork meat quality. A total of 60 Longissimus thoracis pork muscle samples from different 3-way crossbred genotypes were chosen from 3 conventional and 2 organic pig farms. Technological meat quality was measured at 24 h post-mortem and muscle fatty acid content and composition was analysed by gas chromatography. The loin from organic pigs at 24 h of retail display had lower pH, but it had no detrimental effects on drip loss. All the International Commission on Illumination colour attributes except meat lightness differed between husbandry systems. Moisture and crude protein content were lower whereas intramuscular fat content was greater in organic than in conventional pork. Total saturated fatty acid（SFA）, monounsaturated fatty acid（MUFA）, polyunsaturated fatty acid（PUFA） and PUFA n-6 contents did not differ between husbandry systems, but total PUFA n-3（mainly C18：3 n-3） were greater in organic than in conventional pork. Sex did not affect ultimate p H or meat colour attributes but barrows showed lower moisture and greater intramuscular fat than gilts. Total SFA and MUFA content were similar but all the PUFA（both n-6 and n-3） were lower in barrows than in gilts. These results suggest that some bioactive compounds from dietary origin, i.e., linolenic acid（C18：3 n-3） content from dietary vegetable oils（soybean or olive olein）, might be used to highlight the nutritive value of（not free-ranging） organic pork meat. In addition, gilts were leaner than barrows and showed a more favourable PUFA/SFA ratio.