A comprehensive study of the fatty acid composition, thermal and some physicochemical properties of abdominal and subcutaneous fats of Linda, Mast and Turkish geese

This study examined the chemical composition, including moisture content, total fat, iodine value, melting point, saponification number, differential scanning calorimetry, fatty acid profiles, and color values (L*, a*, b*), in abdominal (A) and subcutaneous (S) fat of 15-week-old geese from three female varieties: Turkish (Lo), Linda (Li), and Mast (Ma). Results showed significantly higher moisture content in Lo-S compared to abdominal fats (P < 0.05), with consistent fat contents among goose varieties in abdominal fats. Iodine value (IV), melting point (MP), and color values did not differ significantly across varieties within fat types (P > 0.05). The Ma-A group exhibited the lowest saponification number (SN). Lo-S, Li–S, and Ma-S displayed higher onset and peak temperatures than abdominal fats across all groups. Li-A exhibited the highest levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and an optimal PUFA/SFA ratio (P < 0.05), and Li–S demonstrated the lowest Atherogenic Index (AI), supporting its health-promoting profile. Additionally, Ma-S showed elevated levels of unsaturated fatty acids (UFA), a high nutritive value index, and a favorable AI value (P < 0.05), indicating its suitability for heart-healthy diets. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) identified PC1 with associations to SFA, palmitic acid, iodine value, myristic acid, and a*, while PC2 emphasized total fat content and melting point as pivotal factors. These findings underscore distinct chemical profiles of abdominal and subcutaneous fats in different goose varieties, revealing variations in fatty acid composition and thermal properties. Overall, Li–S, Li-A, and Ma-S fats emerged as optimal choices for consumers seeking healthful dietary fats.