EN
The aim of the study was to describe the influence of the age of geese and type of fat on its chemical composition and selected sensory features. The research was conducted on depot and subcutaneous goose fat derived from 20 Biała Kołudzka breed goose carcasses, which were crossbred from two stocks: W11 from the maternal side and W33 from the paternal side (the so called ‘gęś owsiana’). The investigated fat was derived from geese of two age groups. The first group were young fowl, slaughtered at the age of 16-18 weeks, the second group of 3-4-year-old fowl, slaughtered after their reproductive period. For the examined raw fat the basic composition was described (protein content, fat, water, ash and fatty acids), features that are useful for storage (percentage of free fatty acids, acid and peroxide count) as well as the sensory quality of the fat on the basis of the intensity and desirability of the smell. It has been affirmed that the age and type of fat are essential factors leading to varied chemical compositions, fatty acid profiles and smell of goose fat. In the case of chemical composition the influence of age is most pronounced on subcutaneous fat, which in young fowl contains more protein, water and ash and less fat. The fatty acid profile is also significantly varied. Fat from older geese scores higher regarding nutritional value for both types of fat. This fat contains less saturated fats and more single and multi-unsaturated fats in comparison with fat from younger geese. At the same time, both subcutaneous and depot fat of older geese is less favorably valued by consumers with regards to sensory features.