Nutritional quality of wild Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) meat: Effects of sex and hunting period.

The proximate composition, energetic value, minerals, B-group vitamins and pH value of the loin (longissimus thoracis) of 71 wild Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus), were evaluated in stags and hinds hunted in autumn and winter. In autumn, meat had a higher content of moisture, K, Na, Zn and thiamine when compared to winter, in which higher content of proteins and P were detected. Meat from stags had a higher moisture, Na, Zn and folic acid content, while hinds provided optimal pH values (<5.8) in higher proportions than stags. Considering European Unions nutrition and health claims, deer loin has a high content of proteins, Zn, vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin), and a low content of fat and sodium/salt, being a source of P, Fe, Cu and vitamins B2 (riboflavin) and B3 (niacin). Additionally, health claims related to children's development could be attributed to this meat, which may increase the interest on deer meat from consumers.