Sensory evaluation of young goat meat

Loins from 12 young goats (three extensively reared-entire males, EE; three extensively reared-castrated males, EC; three intensively reared-entire males, IE; four intensively reared-castrated males, IC) were assessed by a trained panel of eight assessors for odour, flavour and texture using 100 mm unstructured scales. Procrustes analysis was used to produce the spatial configuration of the samples. The first principal axis explained 44.9% of the variation and was mainly based on textural attributes. The second principal axis accounted for 21.3% of the variation and was mainly related to odour and flavour. Samples obtained from groups EE and EC were more tender and juicy, whereas, IE animals produced a more cohesive meat. Groups IE and IC produced a more stringy meat, with a higher meaty odour and flavour. The rearing system affected texture more than odour and flavour, whereas sex had little effect on textural attributes compared with odour and flavour.