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The Journal of veterinary medical science2015; 78(2); 351-354; doi: 10.1292/jvms.15-0287

β-carotene and retinol contents in the meat of herbivorous ungulates with a special reference to their public health importance.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to estimate total carotenoids, β-carotene and retinol concentrations in the livers and muscles of some ungulates (cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats and horses) in comparison with the Wistar rats as a control. Cattle and horses had the highest contents of total carotenoids and β-carotene. Unexpectedly, sheep was the highest accumulator of retinol with a mean concentration of 203 ± 23.34 µg/g, while the least accumulator was buffalo, having a mean value of 58.28 ± 13.77 µg/g. Livers had higher contents of the examined phytochemicals than muscles. Consumption of these tissues may provide human with some needs from these important phytochemicals, though ingestion of livers, especially that of the sheep, is not advisable for the pregnant women.
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Publication Date: 2015-10-24 PubMed ID: 26498400PubMed Central: PMC4785134DOI: 10.1292/jvms.15-0287Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research assessed the levels of total carotenoids, β-carotene, and retinol in the meat of several herbivorous animals, finding that the liver generally holds higher concentrations than muscle tissue, and the highest retinol accumulation was found in sheep. However, the consumption of sheep’s liver by pregnant women is not recommended due to its high retinol content.

Objective and Methods

  • The primary aim of this study was to measure the concentrations of total carotenoids, β-carotene, and retinol in the livers and muscles of several types of ungulates (hoofed mammals). These included cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and horses, with Wistar rats used as a control group.
  • The researchers gathered and analyzed tissue samples from each of these animals, quantifying the levels of each of the mentioned phytochemicals in the respective tissues.

Findings

  • In terms of total carotenoids and β-carotene content, cattle and horses were found to have the highest concentrations. This means that these animals convert plant-based carotenoids most effectively into stored forms in their tissue.
  • Unexpectedly, sheep were found to have the highest levels of retinol, with a mean concentration of 203 ± 23.34 µg/g. The animal with the lowest retinol accumulation was the buffalo, with a mean value of 58.28 ± 13.77 µg/g. Retinol is a form of vitamin A, essential for vision, the immune system, and reproduction.
  • Across all animals tested, livers generally had higher content of the examined phytochemicals than muscles. This is likely because the liver is a primary site of storage and conversion for these nutrients.

Implications

  • From a public health perspective, these findings suggest that consuming livers and meats from these animals could help humans meet their nutritional needs for these important phytochemicals.
  • However, due to the high concentration of retinol in sheep’s liver, it is not advisable for pregnant women to consume this tissue. This is because an excess of vitamin A during pregnancy has been linked to birth defects.

This study brings attention to the importance of dietary choices, shining a light on the nutritional content of various types of meat and organ mea, and how they can impact human health in diverse ways.

Cite This Article

APA
Darwish WS, Ikenaka Y, Morshdy AE, Eldesoky KI, Nakayama S, Mizukawa H, Ishizuka M. (2015). β-carotene and retinol contents in the meat of herbivorous ungulates with a special reference to their public health importance. J Vet Med Sci, 78(2), 351-354. https://doi.org/10.1292/jvms.15-0287

Publication

The Journal of veterinary medical science
ISSN: 1347-7439
NlmUniqueID: 9105360
Country: Japan
Language: English
Volume: 78
Issue: 2
Pages: 351-354

Researcher Affiliations

Darwish, Wageh Sobhy
  • Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Environmental Veterinary Sciences, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan.
Ikenaka, Yoshinori
    Morshdy, Alaa Eldin
      Eldesoky, Kamal Ibrahim
        Nakayama, Shouta
          Mizukawa, Hazuki
            Ishizuka, Mayumi

              MeSH Terms

              • Animals
              • Cattle
              • Female
              • Food Contamination / analysis
              • Goats
              • Horses
              • Humans
              • Liver / chemistry
              • Male
              • Meat / analysis
              • Muscle, Skeletal / chemistry
              • Pregnancy
              • Public Health
              • Rats
              • Rats, Wistar
              • Sheep
              • Vitamin A / analysis
              • beta Carotene / analysis

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              Citations

              This article has been cited 7 times.
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