The aim of this study was to determine the effect of age and cooking temperature on quality and nutritional values of dromedary camel Longissimus thoraces muscle (between the 10^th and the 13^th of the left side). Longissimus thoraces muscle samples were randomly collected from 30 dromedary male camels of three different age groups (2-4, 6-9, 12-15 year-old). Sampled were chilled (1-3ͦC) for 48 hrs. Moisture, protein, fat and ash were determined on freeze dried ground muscle samples. Mineral contents were determined using an Inductively Coupled Plasma Emission Spectrometer. Meat quality (ultimate pH, Warner-Bratzler shear force, sarcomere length, Myofibrillar Fragmentation Index, expressed juice, cooking loss and colour) and nutritive value (fatty acid composition and amino acid profile) were measured using standard procedures. Muscle samples were divided into two equal portions. The first portion was kept raw while the second one was cooked at 70^oC for 90 minutes.  Longissimus thoraces from 2-4 year old camels had significantly lower shear force value, expressed juice and lighter colour than those from 12-15 year-old. The muscle protein% decreased and fat% increased with increasing age of camels. Values of middle age camels (group 2) were in between. Cooked samples had significantly higher dry matter, protein and fat, but lower ash than the raw ones. Cooking had significantly decreased total and heme iron contents. This study confirmed that the camels’ meat is healthy and nutritious as it contains low fat as well as minerals. Age and cooking temperatures are important factors in determining meat quality and composition of the dromedary camel.

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Isam T. Kadim

Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences,

Sultan Qaboos University, PO Box 34, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

Tel. +968 2441 5232: Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.