Flavor Formation in Goat Meat: A Lipid-Centric Comparative Study of High-Altitude and Low-Altitude Breeds

Flavor is a pivotal determinant of goat meat quality, influenced by multiple factors. This study investigated flavor formation from a lipid perspective by comparing two distinct breeds at two years old and fed the same diet: the high-altitude Xizang goat (XG; n = 6, 26.23 ± 0.72 kg), renowned for its unique meat flavor, and the low-altitude meat-type Jianzhou big-ear goat (JBG; n = 6, 63.93 ± 0.98 kg). Lipid profiles were analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and flavor variations were assessed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). We identified 630 significantly differential lipids (VIP > 1, p < 0.05) between the breeds. The XG group exhibited a distinct lipid composition characterized by a higher proportion of glycerophospholipids (45.1%) and the upregulation of specific species such as PC (13:0_16:0) and PE(16:0_20:5), whereas glycerolipids were markedly more abundant in JBG (24.3%) than in XG (6.4%). A total of 14 key volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were identified as potential drivers of flavor divergence based on the criteria of |log₂(fold change)| ≥ 1, VIP > 1, p < 0.05 and rOAV ≥ 1. Correlation networks revealed significant positive associations (r > 0.8, p < 0.05) between several upregulated glycerophospholipids-including PC (13:0_16:0), PE(16:0_20:5), PE(20:5_16:1), PMeOH(16:0_22:4), and PS(18:2_20:5)-and fruity esters such as ethyl heptanoate and butyl butyrate in XG meat, directly contributing to its more intense fruity sensory profile. Collectively, this study demonstrated that the phospholipid-rich lipidome of high-altitude XG served as a key substrate for generating fruity esters, which fundamentally distinguishes its more complex and preferred sensory profile from the triglyceride-dominated lipidome of JBG meat. These findings establish a potential molecular link between lipid composition and meat flavor, providing a biochemical explanation for traditional flavor preferences and highlighting the importance of lipid metabolism in determining the quality of goat meat.