EN
The basic components, connective tissue content, energetic value of fine horse meat belonging to one of the four quality grades and maned fat and perirenal fat were determined. I and II grade of meat is characterised by a high content of a total protein (20.7% and 19.9%) including a low level of collagen (351.4 mg% and 663.6 mg%) and fat (4.6% and 8.2%). The ash content is approximate to that in meat of other species of slaughter animals. With regards to chemical composition, horse meat from these two grades is not inferior to other sorts of meat, and its nutritive value approaches good quality beef. Ill and IV grade of meat is very greasy (about 27 % fat) of a higher collagen content (1207 mg% and 1570.3 mg%) and therefore of a lower nutritive value and restricted suitability for processing. A comparison of maned and perirenal fat showed that these two tissues differ significantly as to their chemical composition and caloric value. Maned fat is characterized by a lower fat content (78.7%) and caloric value (3083 kj) and a higher protein content (6.1%). The value of these parameters in perirenal fat is 87.7%, 3369 kj and 3.7%, respectively.