The Ash Content of the Main Muscle Groups and Edible Offal Collected From Hares (Lepus europaeus Pallas)

Abstract. The availability of hares (Lepus europaeus Pallas), unlike that of domestic rabbits, is restricted by hunting seasons. Rabbit meat, according to research from Spain, is a rich source of K, P, Fe and Mg, but poor in Na, being recommended for people with hypertension. The largest quantity of macro minerals studied in rabbit meat was determined for K and P, and the most abundant micro minerals were Zn, Fe, Cu and Mn. In hare meat, ash content is not sufficiently studied. The current low level of knowledge motivated the present study. The aim of this study was to establish the ash content for major muscle groups and edible offal of hares. The biological material used was collected from 49 hares with an average weight of 5.6 kg, at the age of reproductive maturity (adults: 11-12 months). Different muscle groups (the muscles Cervicalis, Intercostalis, Longissimus Dorsi, Psoas major, Triceps Brachi, Biceps femoris, Semimembranosus ) and the main edible offal (heart, liver, kidney) were sampled. The ash was determined by calcination (in Supertherm C311 oven calcination) at 550 0 C. The results obtained were interpreted statistically (arithmetic mean (X), standard deviation (s), variance (s 2 ) and coefficient of variation (V%) and the statistical significance of differences was tested using the ANOVA Single Factor algorithm (p>0.05; p<0.01; p<0.001). Ash content for the main muscle groups analysed varied from the lowest average values of 1.095% for the Intercostalis muscles, to the highest average values of 1.256%, for Triceps brachii muscles.