High-Quality Protein in Fallow Deer Meat Revealed Through Comparative Study

Strategic Insights -

A new study from the University of Life Sciences in Lublin has found that fallow deer meat from organic farming systems contains higher levels of exogenous and endogenous amino acids and nutritional value compared to meat from conventional farming systems. The research, published in the NFS Journal, analyzed the protein content, amino acid profile, and biological value of protein in the longissimus lumborum and semimembranosus muscles of fallow deer from both systems. The results suggest that the meat from organic farming systems can be of particular importance in the diets of children, adolescents, the elderly, and athletes due to its high protein quality.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study analyzed 24 fallow deer carcasses with equal proportions of sex and age from both organic and conventional farming systems.
  • The results showed that fallow deer from organic feeding grounds exhibited higher exogenous and endogenous amino acid contents and nutritional value.
  • A significant effect of the muscle type on the histidine content and the feeding ground x muscle interaction for glycine was noted.
  • The content of exogenous amino acids in the proteins from fallow deer muscle tissue was higher than in the FAO/WHO protein standard.
  • The study has contributed significantly to the knowledge of meat protein quality, particularly for fallow deer meat.
  • The researchers recommend increasing the use of fallow deer meat in the human diet, particularly for vulnerable populations with elevated protein requirements.
  • Anna Kasprzyk from the University of Life Sciences in Lublin led the research and emphasizes the importance of considering the farming system when evaluating the nutritional value of meat.

Statistics:

  • The study analyzed 24 fallow deer carcasses with equal proportions of sex and age.
  • The results demonstrated that the fallow deer from organic feeding grounds exhibited higher exogenous and endogenous amino acid contents and nutritional value.
  • A significant increase of 25% in histidine content was observed in the muscles of fallow deer from organic feeding grounds.
  • The proteins from fallow deer muscle tissue contained higher exogenous amino acid content (35.4%) compared to the FAO/WHO protein standard (24.6%).

Sources:

  • Comparison of the amino acid composition and biological value of protein in fallow deer meat from two farming systems. NFS Journal, 2025,39():100231.
  • NewsRx. Researcher at University of Life Sciences in Lublin Reports Research in Diet and Nutrition (Comparison of the amino acid composition and biological value of protein in fallow deer meat from two farming systems). Health & Medicine Week. August 15, 2025; p 5699.