VARIATION IN FATTY ACID COMPOSITION AMONG LIVER, PERIRENAL FAT, AND RIB TISSUES OF STEER CARCASSES
Tissue samples (liver, perirenal fat, and non-bone tissue from 9th to 11th rib cut) were obtained from carcasses of Hereford steers that had been fattened in two different groups during two consecutive years, and were analyzed for fatty acids by gas–liquid chromatography. Myristic acid was significantly (P < 0.01) lower in liver than perirenal or rib tissues (non-bone tissue from 9th to 11th rib cut). Palmitic acid levels were significantly (P < 0.01) different among the tissues in one group, but not in the other. Palmitoleic acid was found in all areas with the highest level, within groups, occurring in rib tissue (av. 4.8%). Perirenal fat contained significantly (P < 0.01) more stearic acid than either rib or liver tissues and oleic acid was significantly (P < 0.01) higher in rib than in the other tissues. The liver tissue contained approximately 9.1% linoleic acid, which was significantly (P < 0.01) higher in perirenal or rib tissues (less than 2%). Linolenic and arachidonic acids were detected in liver, but not in the other tissues.