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The low consumption of game meat is directly related to the insufficient exploration of data on game meat processing and handling. Taking into account these considerations as well as the fact that in the practice of the meat processing industry methods and assessing game meat for processing have not yet been developed, the main aim of the paper is to highlight how this is done from a practical and applied point of view in the main game meat processing operations in terms of cutting, deboning, and selection of game meat for processing, associated with the determination of the carcass yields of the main sliced anatomical regions of the higher quality classes used to obtain traditional specialty products. To this end, following the primary processing of the game carcasses, the weighting of each anatomical portion will be assessed, both at the level of the region and of the carcass as a whole. The reasoning behind the processing of game meat into traditional specialties encompasses the complex features of the anatomical regions intended for the production of these products as well as the species of origin. For these reasons, the present study will concentrate on the cutting and deboning capacity of wild boar meat in accordance with the methods of processing the anatomical regions of the higher quality classes of their carcasses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild boar (Sus scrofa) was introduced in many countries of the world and is recognized as carrier of many infectious diseases. Wild game meat consumption is recognized as a source of transmission of Toxoplasma gondii and Trichinella spp. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of antibodies to T. gondii and Trichinella spp. in free-range wild boars in Northeastern Argentine Patagonia. Between 2014 and 2018, 144 blood samples and 423 muscle samples from 423 carcasses were collected. To detect T. gondii IgG, 144 sera were processed by an immunofluorescent antibody test, and to detect anti- Trichinella IgG, 125 sera and 304 muscle juice samples were processed by ELISA. Detection of first stage larvae in muscle was performed by artificial digestion. A total of 423 wild boars muscle samples were negative to Trichinella spp. by artificial digestion. Antibodies to Trichinella spp. were detected in 2.4% (3/125) of serum samples and in 1.64% (5/304) of meat juice samples. Antibodies to T. gondii infection were detected in 12.5% (18/144) of the serum samples. This is the first study to reveal the presence of antibodies to T. gondii in wild boars from Argentina. The present results suggest that consumption of raw or undercooked wild boar meat could represent a potential source risk for toxoplasmosis in humans and that Trichinella spp. is infrequent and/or that it circulates in low burdens among wild boars in Northeastern Patagonia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first national human biomonitoring in Slovenia surveyed cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in a childbearing population (18-49 years) selected from lactating primiparous women and men (N = 1084). The overall aim was to estimate trace elements' levels and geographical variations in order to identify sources of possible exposures and set the national reference values. The study population was selected evenly from 12 study areas across Slovenia, including rural, urban and known or potentially contaminated environments. Within 6-8 weeks after delivery, venous blood, spot urine, scalp hair and breast milk samples were collected to determine the selected elements. The data analysis included descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression using elemental concentrations in biological matrices, questionnaire data and environmental datasets. Essential elements showed no significant deficiencies or excessive levels in the study population and were largely determined by sex and/or the participating women's physiological status (postpartum, lactation), as well as by certain dietary sources. Toxic elements' levels were mainly below the levels considered to present increased health risk. Lifestyle and nutritional habits appeared as significant determinants of exposure to Cd (smoking and game meat consumption), Hg (seafood and amalgam fillings), As (seafood) and Pb (alcohol consumption, smoking, game meat consumption and type of water supply). A distinctive geographical pattern was confirmed, due to past mining activities combined with naturally elevated background levels in the cases of Pb (Mežica Valley), Hg (Idrija and Posočje) and As exposure (Zasavje). Increased seafood consumption in the coastal study area contributed to higher Hg and As (arsenobetaine) levels. Extensive sample size database accompanied with life-style and environmental data improved the prediction of exposure patterns, set the reference values for the childbearing population living in Slovenia, and provided a strong basis for evaluating spatial and temporal trends in exposure. To our best knowledge, this is the first study to establish reference values for lactating primiparous women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Consumption of game meat is growing when compared to other meats. It is susceptible to adulteration because of its cost and availability. Spectroscopy may lead to rapid methodologies for detecting adulteration. The purpose of this study is to detect the adulteration of wild fallow deer (Dama dama) meat with domestic goat (G) (Capra aegagrus hircus) meat, for samples stored for different periods of time using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy coupled with chemometric.Design/methodology/approach Meat was cut and mixed in different percentages, transformed into mini-burgers and stored at 3°C from 12 to 432 h and periodically examined for FTIR, pH and microbial analysis. Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) were applied to detect adulteration.Findings The PCA model, applied to the spectral region from 1,138 to 1,180, 1,314 to 1,477, 1,535 to 1,556 and from 1,728 to 1,759 cm−1, describes the adulteration using four principal components which explained 95 per cent of variance. For the levels of Adulteration A1 (pure meat), A2 (25 and 50 %w/wG) and A3 (75 and 100 %w/wG) for an external set of samples, the correlation coefficients for prediction were 0.979, 0.941 and 0.971, and the room mean square error were 8.58, 12.46 and 9.47 per cent, respectively.Originality/value The PLS-DA model predicted the adulteration for an external set of samples with high accuracy. The proposed method has the advantage of allowing rapid results, despite the storage time of the adulterated meat. It was shown that FTIR combined with chemometrics can be used to establish a methodology for the identification of adulteration of game meat, not only for fresh meat but also for meat stored for different periods of time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to measure lead (Pb) levels in blood (Pb-blood) in consumers of game meat, taking into account other possible sources of lead exposure. A spot blood sample was obtained from 95 subjects, and a questionnaire was used to collect general information and data on game meat consumption, hunting, wine drinking and other possible sources of lead exposure. Pb-blood was measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Pb-blood was not influenced by age, sex, residence in an urban or rural area, consumption of game meat, tobacco smoking or hobbies associated with potential exposure to lead, and median Pb-blood was 1.7 (5th–95th percentile 1.0–5.3) µg/dL and 3.4 (0.9–6.1) µg/dL for game meat non-eaters and eater, respectively. A multiple linear regression analysis (containing the covariates sex, age, hunting, wine drinking, game meat consumption, tobacco smoking, shooting range, and occupational exposure) found an association with hunting (Pb-blood almost double in hunters) and wine drinking (40% higher in drinkers) but not with consumption of game meat or other parameters. Whether the higher Pb-blood level was due to inhalation of lead fumes while shooting with lead ammunition, to handling lead ammunition or both could not be ascertained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last decades, Italian populations of large wild ungulates increased. Management and containment strategies have been proposed aimed at preventing overpopulation, with a consequent increase of culling and availability of game meat. The present research focuses on the opportunities and limitations associated with the creation of a supply chain for the meat produced by hunting activities of red deer - Cervus elaphus, roe deer - Capreolus capreolus, chamois - Rupicapra rupicapra, mouflon - Ovis orientalis, and wild boar - Sus scrofa. Data have been collected through self-compiled questionnaire submitted to hunters participating to the 2014 hunting season in the Italian Alpine area of Verbano and Val D'Ossola North-West Italian Alps. Results suggest that Italian large wild ungulates lacks the requirements for trade, nonetheless some adjustments are proposed in order to promote and support a local supply chain for type of product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flavour is a very important attribute contributing to the sensory quality of meat and meat products. Although the sensory quality of meat includes orthonasal and retronasal aroma, taste, as well as appearance, juiciness and other textural attributes, the focus of this review is primarily on flavour. The influence of species, age, gender, muscle anatomical location, diet, harvesting conditions, ageing of meat, packaging and storage, as well as cooking method on the flavour of game meat are discussed. Very little research is available on the factors influencing the flavour of the meat derived from wild and free-living game species. The aim of this literature review is thus to discuss the key ante- and post-mortem factors that influence the flavour of game meat, with specific focus on wild and free-living South African game species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continuous urbanization and associated political influences of urbanites on rural activities stress a need for understanding urban attitudes toward use of natural resources. Our objective was to compare urban and rural residents' attitudes toward hunting, a culturally important rural activity that also is a key wildlife management technique throughout the world to control wildlife populations. Our mail survey (n = 6,818) revealed fewer nonhunters in the urban region of Stockholm (48%) expressed positive attitudes toward hunting than nonhunters in the predominantly rural northern Sweden (70%). Path analyses indicated that experiences with hunting or hunters, and especially consumption of game meat (Stockholm β = 0.25; northern Sweden β = 0.26), were associated with positive attitudes. Our results imply that finding ways to increase the distribution of game meat and associated social interactions to urban nonhunters will help maintain or increase support for hunting and enhance wildlife management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Alheira is a traditional meat product that is typical from the Northeast region of Portugal and much appreciated. It is a sort of sausage produced industrially or by small artisanal producers, having wheat bread and meats as main ingredients. Game meat Alheira (Alheira de caça) is considered one of the most attractive products since it should include different game meats. The aim of the present work was to identify the species of origin of meats added to game meat Alheira samples to verify their compliance with labelling. Species-specific PCR assays targeting mitochondrial genes of rabbit, hare, red deer, cow and pork were optimised and applied to industrial and artisanal samples. The assays revealed adequate specificity for each of the targeted species, with sensitivities of 0.01–0.1%. Results of the evaluation of 18 commercial samples identified several inconsistencies with labelling, namely the absence of declared game species (red deer, hare and rabbit) in ten samples and the presence of undeclared cow species in nine of the analysed samples. These findings indicate the occurrence of misleading labelling, suggesting the adulteration by substitution of game meats by cow meat to reduce production costs and the need to protect and valorise this kind of traditional food product. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The authenticity of food is currently a major issue for researchers, consumers, industries and policy markers at all levels of the production process. Particularly in the meat industry, products from game animals are susceptible targets for fraudulent labeling due to the economic profit that results from selling cheaper meat as meat from more profitable and desirable species. A part from meat species adulteration, illegal poaching of endangered game species may take place contributing to threat of wildlife populations. These reasons have encouraged the development of methods to ensure fair trade and labeling of game meats from production level to consumer use of end products. In the last years, full attention has been turning towards implementation of molecular genetic approaches for meat species identification because of their high sensitivity and specificity, as well as rapid processing time and low cost. This work presents an overview of the main PCR-based techniques applied to date to verify the authenticity of meat and meat products from game species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The expectations, perceptions and purchasing behaviour of consumers of game meat were researched by a survey method using a structured, self-administered questionnaire. The sample consisted of 300 South African consumers and included 100 white, 100 coloured and 100 black consumers. It is evident that South African consumers perceive game meat differently than they do the 'traditional' meat types such as beef, mutton/lamb, chicken and pork. They do not consider game meat as a 'regular' type of meat, but rather as an exotic, seasonal product. Furthermore, South African consumers indicated that they are not willing to pay more for game meat than other types of meat. South African consumers indicated that they consider the fat content of meat as an important quality when they purchase meat, as they aspire towards consuming lean meat. This research not only shows that South African consumers are ill-informed regarding the positive attributes of game meat, but also that producers and marketers of game meat are not doing enough to promote game meat. This provides an excellent opportunity for game meat producers and marketers, as game meat is lower in fat than pork, lamb or beef. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes bushmeat commodity chain that supplies the city of Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana. Primary actors in the commodity chain; Patterns of trade in the Takoradi bushmeat commodity chain; Structure and operation of the commodity chain; Pattern of participation of primary actors in the commodity chain; Financial costs of participation in the Takoradi bushmeat commodity chain; Failure of the state to regulate the trade.

Examines the market dynamics of bushmeat species in Equatorial Guinea, central Africa. Significance of the study in providing information on wildlife use and exploitation in the consumer regions; Factors that describe the abundance and availability of individual species; Observation of seasonal differences in carcass quantity; Comparison of monthly changes in number of carcasses of species.

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Provides information on the result of a study on bushmeat consumption in Gabon conducted by David Wilkie, member of the Wildlife Conservation Society in New York, that will be published in the "Journal of International Wildlife Law & Policy, Conservation Biology." List of organizations and agencies which cooperated to conduct the study; Kinds of bushmeat used in the study; Differences of the bushmeat dynamics between rural and urban settings.