A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BOVINE FAT COLOR AND FATTY-ACID COMPOSITION

Subcutaneous adipose tissue was obtained from pasture-grazed (n = 13) and short-term (70 days) grain-fed (n = 13) cattle. The yellow colour of the adipose tissue was assessed by Minolta b value readings and by determination of total carotenoids and the two measurements gave a co rrelation coefficient of 0.79 (P < 0.01). The fatty acid composition o f the samples varied with fat colour. As the b value and the caroteno id content of the fat increased, there was a significant increase in t he total percentage of cis mono-unsaturated fatty acids and a decrease in saturated,fatty acids (P < 0.01). Consequently, the ratio of cis m ono-unsaturated to saturated fatty acids was found to be higher in tho se samples exhibiting a greater yellow colour.