Abstract:To research the difference of fatty acid composition between Simmental and Angus cattle in western area of yellow river, the content of fatty acid in samples was determined by gas chromatography and evaluated by principal component analysis. Nine Simmental bulls and nine Angus bulls were selected. All animals were provided the same diet and management. Nine bulls per breed at approximately 18 months of age were randomly selected and then slaughtered. Cattle were slaughtered after being fasted for 12 h. The fatty acid content of the longissimus dorsi muscle was measured. The results showed that 17 kinds of fatty acids were identified in the two kinds of cattle, including 5 saturated fatty acids and 12 unsaturated fatty acids. Among the saturated fatty acids, palmitic acid was the highest, which was 21.81% and 23.54% respectively. The content of unsaturated fatty acids in Angus beef was 7.10% higher than that in Simmental. The contents of four unsaturated fatty acids (myristic acid, eicosapeenoic acid, arachidonic acid and DHA) in Angus cattle were significantly higher than those in Simmental cattle. Based on principal component analysis, seven core fatty acids were extracted as the characteristic fatty acids in two kinds of cattle. A comprehensive mathematical model was established as F=0.590×F1+0.154×F2+ 0.124×F3. In terms of fatty acid composition and comprehensive score, Angus was better than Simmental cattle. Fatty acid determination and principal component analysis revealed the characteristics and differences of fatty acid composition in the two kinds of beef, which provided theoretical basis for the rational development and utilization of excellent beef cattle products in western area of yellow river.
