Quantitative and qualitative properties of giblets from conventional, organic, and wild ducks

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate selected properties of giblets (liver, heart, and gizzard) from conventional (C), organic (O), and wild (W) ducks. A total of 24 giblets (24 of each organ) were analysed in each bird group. Production properties, colour indicators, haem pigment content and chemical composition were compared. The heaviest organ with the highest yield was the liver in C and W ducks and the gizzard in O ducks (P < 0.05). The liver and gizzard of W and O ducks were darker (P < 0.05) compared to the same organs in C ducks. The redness of the heart of O ducks was higher (P < 0.05) than that of the heart of both other groups of ducks (C and W). All W duck organs contained (P < 0.05) more haem pigment. The livers of reared ducks (C and O) contained more protein (P < 0.05) than the livers of W birds. The liver of C reared poultry was about 3–4 × fattier (P < 0.05) compared to the liver of the remaining two groups of ducks. The heart of wild ducks had the highest protein and lowest fat content, the heart of ducks from the C breeding system had the least protein, whereas ducks bred organically had the highest amount of fat in the heart. Ducks from the O system had a fattier gizzard compared to other birds (P < 0.05). The highest protein percentages were found in the gizzards of W ducks, the smallest in the gizzards of C poultry.