Random Forest-Assisted Widely Targeted Lipidomic Reveals Differences in Tan Lamb Meat Quality in Different Regions
Qi Yang1, Chongxin Liu1, Muxuan Xu1
1Key Laboratory of Agro-Products Quality and Safety Control in Storage and Transport Process, Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100193, China.
Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
|December 11, 2025
Summary
Sheep meat quality varies by region, with Ningxia Tan lamb showing distinct lipid profiles and sensory attributes. Lipid composition significantly influences regional variations in lamb quality and flavor.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Food Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Regional variations in sheep meat quality impact consumer perception and market value.
- Understanding the role of lipids in meat quality is crucial for optimizing production and product differentiation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare quality attributes of Tan lamb from three major production regions.
- To investigate the influence of lipid composition on regional sheep meat quality differences.
- To identify key lipid biomarkers for distinguishing lamb origins.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of meat quality parameters (pH, color, water-holding capacity).
- Gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) for flavor profiling.
- Lipidomic analysis to identify and quantify lipid subclasses and molecules.
- Random Forest analysis for biomarker identification.
- Correlation and pathway analysis to link lipids with meat quality traits.
Main Results:
- Ningxia Tan lamb demonstrated superior quality: higher pH, lower lightness/yellowness, better water-holding capacity, and higher polyunsaturated fatty acids.
- Distinct flavor profiles were identified across regions using GC-IMS.
- Ten key lipid molecules, including specific phospholipids and carnitines, differentiated regional lamb.
- Strong correlations were found between lipid characteristics and meat quality parameters (pH, color, water-holding capacity).
- Lipid metabolism pathways, including thermogenesis and glycerophospholipid metabolism, were crucial for lamb growth and regional differentiation.
Conclusions:
- Geographic origin significantly influences Tan lamb quality and lipid profiles.
- Specific lipid molecules and metabolic pathways are reliable indicators of lamb origin.
- This research provides insights into lamb quality formation and aids in origin identification and quality enhancement.
