MINERAL COMPOSITION OF MEAT FROM DIFFERENT SPECIES OF ANIMALS FROM SERBIA

Abstract

This study aimed to provide information on levels of magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in 154 meat samples from six species of animals. Samples (chicken, turkey, pork, lamb, equine and beef meat) were gathered from different meat processing facilities in Serbia during 2023. The levels of macro- (Mg, K, Ca) and micro- (Cu, Zn) elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The highest significant mean content (p < 0.05) of Mg was measured in chicken meat. The highest values of K and Ca were found in pork and equine meat, respectively, and there were no significant differences between other meat species. Equine meat had the highest significant mean levels of Cu while the significantly highest Zn levels were determined in beef meat. The distribution of the elements in meat samples was examined by applying principal component analysis (PCA).