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The present study aims to evaluate the effect of Romanov breed lamb gender on carcass traits and meat quality parameters, as well as on the formation of biogenic amines (BAs) and malondialdehyde during meat storage. Obtained results revealed that lamb gender had a significant influence on sternum/breastbone, ribs, right shoulder, and bones of the back leg. Significantly higher lightness (by 3%) was found for male meat; however, higher redness of female meat was observed (by 7.7%). In all cases, a lower pH was obtained for female meat. Significantly higher cooking loss (by 38%) was found for male meat. However, gender was not a significant factor in lamb meat proximate composition, or for BAs and cholesterol content. The gender of animals had a significant influence on 10‐heptadecenoic (C17:1), linoleic (C18:2n – 6), total polyunsaturated FA, and total trans isomers content in meat. A significantly higher concentration of malondialdehyde was found in female lamb meat (by 43.4% and 56.8% in fresh and after 3 months of storage at −18°C, respectively) compared to males. Finally, the obtained results supplement the scarce database about the characteristics of Romanov breed meat of different gender and this is beneficial for lamb breeders and meat industry in order to obtain a better quality production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible harmful effect of Sarcocystis parasites on bovine diaphragm meat quality. Meat samples were collected from 120 bulls aged 20-24 months. Meat quality was investigated using microbiological and physico-chemical (RP-HPLC, GC) methods 48 hours after slaughter. Sarcocystis infection was associated with increased fat content, lightness L* and drip loss, and decreased ash and protein percentages. Infection also had a significant effect on the amount of amino acids (AAs), which slowly decreased as the number of sarcocysts increased. The total amount of AAs correlated with glutamic acid content (R = 0.966, P < 0.05). Heavily infected samples contained significantly lower amounts of putrescine, histamine, spermine and spermidine (P < 0.05) and a noticeable increase in the total count of aerobic microorganisms, but no change in the numbers of E. coli and coliform bacteria in comparison with no infected samples. Sarcocysts in beef diaphragms did not cause serious changes in the technological quality of the meat, but the biological quality of infected meat was reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]