Although the EZ-DripLoss method has been performed in numerous studies, there is a deficiency in our knowledge of the EZ-DripLoss method’s suitability for poultry meat analysis. This study aimed to research the effect of different sample areas (10, 20, and 30 mm; n = 240), and fiber orientations (vertical vs. horizontal) on the EZ-DripLoss in chicken breast meat measured across a period of five days. The influence of sample area on the EZ-DripLoss of chicken breast meat with respect to the fiber orientation and across the five-day measurement interval was significant between 10 and 30 mm samples, and between 20 and 30 mm samples (p < 0.001). The estimated regression coefficient showed that EZ-DripLoss for the samples with horizontal and vertical fiber direction of 10 and 20 mm, significantly increased by 0.04% per hour, while for the samples with vertical fiber direction whose diameter was 30 mm, it significantly increased by 0.06% per hour, and for the horizontal fiber direction, it significantly increased by 0.07% per hour. The samples with vertical fiber orientation had 0.50% greater EZ-DripLoss compared to the samples with horizontal fiber orientation. EZ-DripLoss evaluation in chicken breast should be performed with a sample core diameter of 20 mm, a vertical fiber orientation, and over the course of longer measurement intervals.

Transglutaminases (TG) are enzymes that improve the functional properties of proteins in meat products, contribute to the strong cohesion of meat without the further need for the addition of sodium chloride or phosphates, and have a positive effect on the texture of the meat product. This study aimed to investigate the physicochemical and sensory attributes of intact and restructured chicken meat supplemented with different TG proportions. The study was conducted on chicken breast meat samples (n = 40) originating from the line Ross 308. The intact samples were separated from the pectoralis major muscle, whereas the rest of the breast meat was ground, divided into equal parts, and supplemented with TG (0.2%; 0.4%; 0.6%; 0.8%; 1%). The intact meat had the highest cooking loss (19.84) when compared to 0.2% (15.51), 0.4% (15.04), 0.6% (14.95), 0.8% (14.95), and 1% (15.79) TG-supplemented meat. The intact meat had greater shear force (16.90) than 0.2% (5.16), 0.4% (5.39), 0.6% (5.16), 0.8% (5.98), and 1% (6.92) TG supplemented meat. There was no difference between intact meat and TG-supplemented meat in color, taste, odor, texture, and overall acceptability (p > 0.05). Therefore, TG supplementation can be used in improving yield and texture of minced chicken meat.

Drip loss, pH value, and color are among the important traits that determine meat quality. Contrary to pH and color, the method associated with drip loss is not yet standardized, and literature data are difficult to compare. Besides, to our knowledge, there is no research comparing drip loss methods and their relation with pH and color in mutton. This study aimed to assess drip loss measurements in mutton taken by different methods (EZ and bag – BM) and their relationship with pH values and color. Mutton samples (Musculus longissimus thoracis et lumborum) originating from 20 ewes of Istrian sheep were used to examine the effect of the method on drip loss after 24 h (EZ₂₄ vs. BM₂₄) and 48 h (EZ₄₈ vs. BM₄₈). Furthermore, correlations between drip loss, pH value, and color were analyzed. The statistical analysis was conducted in R programming environment by using different packages. Within the EZ method there was no significant difference (p>0.05) between ventral and dorsal sample cores used for the assessment of EZ drip loss. Drip loss measured with the same method at two different points of time (24 and 48 h) differed significantly (p<0.001). There was also a significant difference in drip loss determined by different methods (EZ vs. BM) at the same point of time. There were significant (p<0.05) correlations between pH_45 min and all color parameters (L^*4, a^*, b^*). The L^*, a^*, and b^* parameters were highly correlated (p<0.001). The strongest correlation occurred between a^* and b^* parameter (r=0.93). Correlations between drip loss by EZ method and other meat quality attributes were low and not significant. The b^* parameter correlated with BM₂₄ (r=0.46) and BM₄₈ (r=0.58), while a^* correlated only with BM₄₈ (r=0.50). The correlations between the EZ₂₄ and BM₂₄ as well as between the EZ₄₈ and BM₄₈ were both non-significant (p>0.05). Drip loss cannot be predicted with sufficient accuracy by using pH and color. EZ and BM method in mutton do not provide equivalent results for measuring drip loss. Comparisons of the results obtained with different methods should be avoided or at least performed with great precaution.

The aim of this work was to study the intramuscular fatty acid profile of Mediterranean lambs using a meta-analysis. The database was created from five journal articles and one doctoral dissertation, and included lambs of the Talaverana, Comisana, Churra Tensina, Merino Branco and Pramenka breeds. All analyses were performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis and R statistical software. According to the overall pooled result, lambs of Mediterranean breeds included in our meta-analysis had 22.85 % of palmitic (C16:0), 14.78 % of stearic (C18:0) and 5.32 % of myristic acid (C14:0). The overall pooled result for oleic acid (C18:1) was 32.53 %, and it was 5.60 % for linoleic acid (C18:2 n-6) and 1.95 % for α-linolenic acid (C18:3 n-3). Regardless of the proportions of the main fatty acids, Mediterranean lambs had 47.85 % of SFA (saturated fatty acid), 37.87 % of MUFA (monounsaturated fatty acid) and 11.50 % of PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acid). The overall pooled result for the PUFA / SFA ratio was 0.23, and it was 2.22 for the n-6 /n-3 ratio. The results of our meta-analysis enabled us to gain an important scientific insight into the lipid profile of intramuscular fat in Mediterranean lambs. A systematic combination of quantitative data from several carefully selected studies provided estimates of greater statistical power and enabled a more truthful comparison of results originating from different independent studies than any previously published research on this issue.

Horsemeat, known for its high nutritional value and lower environmental impact compared to beef, faces cultural and ethical challenges. Despite its potential, genetic research on horsemeat quality remains limited and no Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs) have been identified. The aim of this study was to identify and prioritize Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) markers on the GeneSeek^® GenomicProfiler™ Equine chip for traits related to meat quality. Genes associated with meat quality were identified through a PubMEd search. These were analyzed for SNPs with potential regulatory or functional effects based on Genomic Evolutionary Rate Profiling (GERP) scores, constrained element locations, orthologous regulatory regions in mice and humans, and effects on polyadenylation, miRNA, and transcription factor binding. Further prioritization focused on genes whose orthologs are within QTLs for meat quality traits in other species. Including SNPs in linkage disequilibrium with chip markers from the Animal-SNPAtlas, we identified 27 SNP markers associated with 19 genes. Notable candidates include ALDOA, CS, GOT1, PLIN1, PYGM, and SDHB, linked to metabolic pathways, and MYL11, MYOM1, PDLIM5, RYR3, and TNNT3, associated with muscle structure and development. This research provides genetic insights to improve horsemeat quality and help breeders and smallholder farmers. Integrating these results with larger datasets can improve breeding value predictions and support effective breeding programs.

The predation of livestock by gray wolf (Canis lupus; hereafter, wolf) is a problem throughout eastern Europe and poses a threat to sustainable pasture-based livestock production in some areas. In Croatia, farmers have alarmed the public with news of frequent wolf attacks in the last decade, and wolves, as protected animals, are perceived as a pest and a threat. The aim of this study was to analyze and present the frequency of attacks and killed/injured domestic animals in Croatia. During the ten-year period (2010–2020), 13,359 attack events were reported, where it was determined, with certainty, that the attack was by the wolf. In these attacks, 19,111 domestic animals were killed and 4634 were injured. Predation events occurred predominantly (92.71%) in three counties located in southern Croatia (sub-Mediterranean Croatia), whose total area is 11,170 km² (19.74% of the total area of Croatia). The most frequently killed species were sheep (64.78% of all killed animals), which was followed by goats (19.28%) and cattle (9.59%). The highest frequency of attacks and animals killed was recorded in the summer followed by spring and autumn, and the lowest was in winter. The majority of attacks (79.57%) occurred in the morning and during the day. The animal with the highest average number killed per attack was sheep (1.64), which was followed by goats (1.38), cattle (0.99), horses (0.94), donkeys (0.95), and guardian dogs (0.92). During the studied period, in the three counties with the most frequent attacks, 11.72% of the average goat population, 6.34% of the cattle population, and 5.61% of the sheep population were killed. Wolf predation in sub-Mediterranean Croatia presents a threat to the population of domestic ruminants dominantly kept in pastoral livestock systems, and additional efforts need to be made to achieve co-existence between the wolf population and farmers.