Nutritive value of livers from four selected neo-tropical mammals hunted in Trinidad and Tobago
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: • Livers was the most preferred organ by-product from the slaughtering process. • The chemical and mineral contents in liver of neo-tropical species differs significantly in their nutritional composition when compared to the domestic species. • Neo-tropical species could provide a rich source of essential nutrients as they had higher levels of crude fat, iron, calcium, and potassium but they also had lower levels of sodium and phosphorus when compared to domestic species. This study contributes new insight into the comparative nutrient profiles of neo-tropical species “agouti ( Dasyprocta leporina ); nine-banded armadillo ( Dasypus novemcinctus ): opossum ( Didelphis marsupialis ) and lowland paca ( Cuniculus paca )” compared to domestic species “cattle, veal ( Bos taurus ); sheep ( Ovis aries ); goat ( Capra aegagrus hircus ) and pigs ( Sus scrofa domesticus )”. The research aimed to assess the chemical and mineral content present in the livers of these species as there was a growing interest for more sustainable and healthier meat sources. Analysis revealed significant differences in the composition of crude fat, iron, calcium, potassium, sodium, and phosphorus between the neo-tropical and domestic species. Neo-tropical species exhibited higher levels of crude fat, iron, calcium, and potassium, while domestic species showed higher levels of sodium and phosphorus. The results highlighted the potential nutritional advantages of incorporating underutilized neo-tropical offal into human diets, particularly in regions facing micro-nutrient deficiencies, particularly in iron, calcium and potassium.
Source: Emerging Animal Species
Institutions: University of the West Indies, University of the West Indies
Language: English
Subfield: Food Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $2,020
OpenAlex ID: W4415319908