A Comprehensive Study of Meat Quality and Flavor Characteristics of Different Sexes of Yanbian Yellow Cattle Using GC-IMS and LC-MS/MS Technologies

Differences in sex among cattle are associated with distinct physiological traits and endocrine profiles, which significantly influence meat quality and flavor characteristics. This study is the first to explore the effect of sex on meat quality, volatile flavor, and metabolites in Yanbian yellow cattle. Volatile and non-volatile metabolites in the <i>longissimus dorsi</i> muscle were comprehensively profiled using gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The results revealed that the fatty acid content (SFA, MUFA, PUFA) in the <i>triceps brachii</i> and <i>longissimus dorsi</i> muscles of cows was significantly higher than that of bulls (<i>p</i> < 0.05). In contrast, bulls showed elevated levels of total amino acids and non-essential amino acids (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Volatile flavor analysis revealed 35 discovered compounds, including alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, and esters. Notably, alcohols and aldehydic flavor compounds in the <i>longissimus dorsi</i> were substantially more prominent in cows, whereas ketonic compounds were predominantly higher in bulls. The study also identified key metabolic pathways-including lipid metabolism, protein and amino acid metabolism, and glycolysis-that are predominantly associated with meat quality. These findings provide a theoretical basis for further elucidating the molecular mechanisms regulating flavor formation in Yanbian yellow cattle.