Nutritional value of cooked offal derived from free-range rams reared in South Africa
Abstract
Nutritional value of Dorper (n=10) and Merino (n=10) by-products were evaluated. Proximate composition
differed between organs and breeds with Merino heart (68.9 g/100 g), spleen (77.2 g/100 g) and testicles
(83.7 g/100 g) having higher moisture contents than their Dorper counterparts. Dorper brain (10.1 g/100 g),
heart (15.2 g/100 g), spleen (20.4 g/100 g) and testicles (12.9 g/100 g) had higher protein contents than Merino.
Dorper organs also tended to have a lower fat content. Amino acid and fatty acid profiles differed between
organs and breeds. Few differences were noted in total SFA and MUFA. Dorper heart (1.8%) had significantly
lower total PUFA than Merino heart (7.3%). All the organs showed favourable P:S ratios, with the exception of
the tongue, heart and stomach. Dorper and Merino brain, lungs and testicles had favourable n−6/n−3 ratios.
Cholesterol content differed between both organs and breeds. The value of offal as food is discussed further.