Mineral content of longissimus dorsi thoracis from water buffalo and Zebu-influenced cattle at four comparative ages.

The longissimus dorsi thoracis (LDT) of 64 water buffalo and 68 Zebu-influenced cattle was used to determine the mineral content variation (mg/100g of fresh tissue) according to species, age (7, 17, 19 and 24 months-of-age, MOA) and gender (steers and bulls). Buffalo LDT had higher concentrations of K, Mn, Fe, Zn and Cu at weaning (P<0.05). Phosphorous content was higher (P<0.05) at post-weaning ages. Mineral profile was affected by age without clear trends; the Na and K contents increased at 24 MOA. The age×species, age×gender and species×gender interactions affected (P<0.05) Fe content that ranged from 1.74 to 2.56mg/100g fresh tissue. Meat from both species contributes with more of 25% of K, P, Fe and Zn of the daily requirement for an adult.