Comparative evaluation of the amino acid’s concentration in the visceral organs (liver, heart, gizzard) of male and female common quail [Coturnix coturnix (L. 1758)]

Introduction: Quail is a collective name for several general of mid-sized birds generally considered in the order Galliformes. Common quail (Coturnix coturnix) is a small bird in the pheasant family Phasianidae. Quail meat is attractive for its tenderness, juiciness, flavor peculiar to a slight flavour venison. Methods: Samples were separately defatted, hydrolysed and neutralized. The AA solution was purified by cation-exchange solid-phase extraction, derivatized and analysed by gas chromatography. Results: Samples were labelled as female liver (FL), male liver (ML), female heart (FH), male heart (MH), and female gizzard (FG) and male gizzard (MG). Values of protein/total amino acids (g/100g) were: FL(71.5/94.5), ML(71.2/96.2), FH(67.8/95.4), MH(69.0/95.7), FG(66.8/88.2), and MG(68.0/90.5). Glu was the most concentrated AA(16.3-18.9g/100g)(a NEAA). These two EAAs were the most concentrated EAAs as follows: Lys (in FL, ML, FG, MG) and Leu (in FH, MH). AA concentration variations were low at CV% values range of 3.77 – 42.3. These pairs were significantly different at r = 0.01: F/M (liver), F/M (heart), F/M (gizzard) in female/male; L/H, L/G, H/G in the female bird; L/H, L/G, H/G in the male bird. Among all the samples, these ranges were observed: EAA = 38.8 - 47.9g/100g; NEAA = 47.5 – 52.9g/100g; pI = 5.04 – 5.62; EAAI (egg standard) = 89.4 -96.7; BV = 86.3 – 93.7, Lys/Trp = 9.19 – 20.3 and NI = 61.0 -64.6. EAA/N-EAA showed no significant (at r = 0.01) difference among the samples. In the AA scores, the LAAS in the samples were; whole hen’s egg comparison: Trp (FL, ML, FG, MG) and Ser (FH, MH); provisional EAA scoring pattern: Trp (FL, ML, FG, MG) and Met+Cys (FH, MH); pre-school child EAA requirements: Trp (FL, ML, FH, MH, FG, MG). In the estimates of amino acid requirements of ages 10-12y (mg/kg/day) all the samples had better concentrations than the standards, shown as follows; total EAAs standard/sample value: 7830/27671 (FL), 7830/26239 (FH), 7830/24248 (FG), 7830/28195 (ML), 7830/29256 (MH) and 7830/25500 (MG). Comparisons of EAAs of the samples with FAO/WHO/UNU showed all the samples to be of better concentration as shown: FAO/WHO/UNU/EAAs of samples (g/100g): 33.9/42.6(FL) / 43.2(ML) / 47.9(FH) / 46.3(MH) / 38.5(FG) / 40.2(MG). Conclusion: All the samples were good sources of EAAs and will all also complement/fortify EAA deficient food substances.