Although fallow deer are abundant in South Africa, these cervids remain undervalued as a domestic protein source and little information exists on their meat quality. This study aimed to evaluate the proximate and mineral compositions of the meat from wild fallow deer (n = 6 male, n = 6 female) harvested in South Africa, as affected by sex and muscle. Proximate analyses were conducted on six muscles (longissimus thoracis et lumborum [LTL], biceps femoris [BF], semimembranosus [SM], semitendinosus [ST], infraspinatus [IS], supraspinatus [SS]), whereas mineral analyses were conducted on the LTL and BF. The proximate composition of the muscles ranged from 73.3-76.2% moisture, 20.4-23.1% protein, 2.2-3.2% fat, and 1.1-1.5% ash. Proximate composition was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) influenced by muscle, but not by sex. The primary essential macro- and micro-minerals determined in the LTL and BF were potassium, phosphorus, sodium, and magnesium, as well as iron, zinc, and copper, with more variation in concentrations occurring with muscle than with sex. Minerals in the muscles contributing most notably to human recommended dietary requirements were potassium, iron, copper, and zinc. These findings indicate that wild fallow deer meat is a nutritious food source and should enhance utilisation of such products.

Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation The University of Queensland Coopers Plains QLD 4108 Australia

Department of Animal Science and Food Processing Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences Czech University of Life Sciences Prague 165 00 Prague 6 Suchdol Czech Republic

Department of Animal Sciences Faculty of AgriSciences University of Stellenbosch Private Bag X1 Matieland 7600 South Africa

Department of Cattle Breeding Institute of Animal Science 104 00 Prague 10 Uhříněves Czech Republic

Department of Ethology Institute of Animal Science 104 00 Prague 10 Uhříněves Czech Republic

Department of Food Science Faculty of Agrobiology Food and Natural Resources Czech University of Life Sciences Prague 165 00 Prague 6 Suchdol Czech Republic

School of Biology and Environmental Sciences Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Sciences University of Mpumalanga Cnr R40 and D725 Roads Nelspruit 1200 South Africa

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