International Union for Circumpolar Health Ministry of Public Health and Social Development of RF Russian Academy of Medical Sciences Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Medical Sciences Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences Medical Polar Fund “Science” The Northern Forum

Abstracts

Ethnic peculiarities of the North native inhabitants health

Since young horse meat belongs to essential traditional food products within the indigenous population of the Republic Sakha it has been exceedingly important to study the fatty acid composition of adipose tissue lipids of young Yakut horses in relation to young horse age (6 months; 2,5 years), different parts of carcasses, and topologic location of the adipose tissue (subcutaneous; interior).

The research work was done on a request from the Production Technology Laboratory of the State Unitary Enterprise (GUP) “Tuymaada-As” of the Republic Sakha.

Lipids were extracted from tissues by Folch method, fatty acid methyl esters were derived by Stoffel, and fatty acids were analyzed by liquid-gas chromatography.

Fatty acid composition of young horse meat was studied in comparison with that of beef fat. Medium molecular fatty acid (MMFA) content of the lipids of 6 month old young horses approximated that of milk fat lipids. It was observed that the adipose of 6 month old young horses contains higher amount of lipids (in 7-9 times) than the adipose of the 2,5 years old young horse and beef fat. Thus, the MMFA in the adipose of the 6 month old young horse and 2,5 years old young horse contains: capric acid (C10:0) – 0,82% and 0,12 % accordingly, lauric acid (C12:0) - 3,03% and 0,32% accordingly. While comparing the level of fatty acids in the lipids of adipose tissue of 6-month old young horses and beef fat we come to conclusion that the amount of MMFA is higher (in 7-8 times) in the 6 month old young horse adipose (C10:0 - 0,82 and 0,10% accordingly, C 12:0 - 3,03% and 0,46% accordingly). Adipose tissue lipids of 6 month old young horses had high amounts of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA): the proportion of alpha-linolenic acid (C18:3) was 16,03% compared to 12,68% in the 2,5 year old young horses and 1,06% in beef fat. Examination of fatty acid composition of lipids of 6 month old young horses in relation to different parts of carcasses revealed higher MMFA content in the costal and coxofemoral parts. The highest PUFA content was observed in cervical part and subcutaneous abdominal fat. Concentration of omega-3 PUFA alpha-linolenic acid in different parts of young horse carcasses varied from 14,0% to 17,2% with predomination in the lipids of cervical part (17,2%). Compared against topologic location of adipose tissue the study of fatty acid composition showed that MMFA was slightly predominating in interior adipose tissue lipids. The highest alpha-linolenic content was found in the paranephric adipose tissue (22%; p<0,05).

In conclusion, the fat of Yakut horses is a source of omega-3 PUFA, which permits both to enrich a daily diet with omega-3 PUFA and to recommend young horse meat as a dietary product for the prevention of atherosclerosis and as a dietary means of preventing (or attenuating) PUFA deficiency in patients with ischemic heart disease and alimentary obesity. A remarkable resemblance of MMFA content of young horse meat to that of milk fat may be useful – after being approved by the corresponding studies – in steatorrheas of various geneses such as those associated with pancreatic diseases, diseases of liver and biliary tracts, chronic enterocolitis, conditions following extensive intestinal resections. It is also advisable to apply the young horse meat adipose in production of fat emulsions for parenteral nutrition as a concentration of PUFA and MMFA is quite high. Having common qualities with the milk fat the young horse adipose can be a perspective stuff (raw material) in production of dietetic and prophylactic food for children .

Note. Abstracts are published in author's edition

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Last update: 06-Jul-2012 (11:52:05)