Carcass composition and meat quality of geese from conservation flocks depending on genotype and sex.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate carcass composition, physicochemical properties, color, texture, and microstructure of the breast muscles of three regional goose breeds: Kartuska, Suwalska, and Rypińska, taking into account the effects of sex and the genotype × sex interaction. A total of 42 goose carcasses were analyzed, including 7 females and 7 males from each genotype. Genotype had a significant effect (P < 0.05) on the proportion of breast muscles, leg muscles, and skin with subcutaneous fat. The higher percentage of breast muscles was observed in males of the Kartuska and Suwalska breeds, while Kartuska females also exhibited a greater share of this trait compared with Suwalska and Rypińska females. Kartuska males were characterized by the highest proportion of leg muscles, and both males and females of this genotype had the lowest percentage of skin with subcutaneous fat. Genotype did not affect carcass weight or the proportion of abdominal fat, wings, neck, or carcass remains. Males had higher carcass weight and a lower proportion of skin with subcutaneous fat compared with females. Genotype significantly affected (P < 0.05) the chemical composition of breast and leg muscles. Kartuska geese were characterized by higher protein and lower fat content in the breast muscles, whereas Suwalska geese showed the highest protein and lowest fat content in the leg muscles. The highest water content in both breast and leg muscles was mainly observed in Suwalska geese. Females were characterized by higher fat content in the breast muscles and lower protein content in the leg muscles compared with males. Genotype also influenced the pH of breast and leg muscles and cooking loss in leg muscles. Kartuska geese exhibited higher pH values, whereas greater cooking loss was observed in Suwalska males and in Rypińska females. Neither genotype nor sex significantly affected electrical conductivity or most color parameters with the exception of lightness (L*) of the breast musclesa and redness (a*) values in the leg muscles. Texture analysis revealed a significant effect of genotype on springiness, with breast muscles of Kartuska geese being more elastic. Regardless of genotype, males were characterized by higher hardness, springiness, chewiness, and gumminess compared with females. Microstructural analysis of the breast muscles demonstrated a significant effect of genotype and sex on most structural parameters. The largest muscle fiber cross-sectional area and horizontal diameter were observed in Kartuska females and Suwalska males. Rypińska geese were characterized by the smallest fiber diameter. In conclusion, both genotype and sex significantly differentiated carcass traits and meat quality of the analyzed regional goose breeds, with clear interactions between these factors, particularly in terms of chemical composition and muscle microstructure.