Comparative analysis on meat quality of local water buffalo and cattle in Guangxi region

The objective of this study was to investigate the potential for swamp buffalo raised as meat-providing animals.Six cattle and six swamp water buffalo in Guangxi region were selected for the meat quality analysis, respectively.The results showed that beef color scores of longissimus dorsi and beef tenderloin in water buffaloes were higher than in cattle ( p < 0.05) , though beef marbling, L*, a*and b*value of longissimus dorsi and beef tenderloin were not different between water buffaloes and cattle.Dry matter, protein and calcium percentage of longissimus dorsi in water buffalo were lower than in cattle ( p < 0.05) .p H of beef tenderloin in water buffalo lower than in cattle ( p < 0.05) , but there was no difference in longissimus dorsi between water buffalo and cattle ( p > 0.05) . All cooked meat percentage of longissimus dorsi and beef tenderloin in water buffalo and cattle were above 63%, even there were not statistically significant between water buffalo and cattle ( p > 0.05) . All fatty acids percentage of beef tenderloin showed no difference between water buffalo ( p > 0.05) and cattle except that myristic acid of beef tenderloin in water buffalo was lower than in cattle ( p < 0.05) . Myristic acid, palmitic acid, linoleic acid concentration of longissimus dorsi in water buffalo were lower than in cattle ( p < 0.05) . However, stearic acid, oleic acid and linolenic acid concentration of longissimus dorsi in water buffalo were higher than in cattle ( p < 0.05) .Oleic acid percentage was the highest fatty acid both for longissimus dorsi and beef tenderloin in water buffalo and cattle.In conclusion, the beef color of longissimus dorsi and beef tenderloin in water buffalo was dark red which darker than in cattle. Most nutrient levels showed no difference between water buffalo and cattle except dry matter, protein, calcium, myristic acid, palmitic acid, linoleic acid ( higher in cattle) stearic acid, oleic acid and linolenic acid percentage ( higher in water buffalo) . Water buffalo has the potential for meat-providing animals which similar to the cattle.