Nutrition and Flavor Evaluation of Amino Acids in Guangyuan Grey Chicken of Different Ages, Genders and Meat Cuts

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Amino acids are the substrate of protein, and also participate in the formation of flavor. Through the type and content detection of amino acid, we obtained information about meat quality characteristics of Guangyuan grey chicken in different groups of age, gender and meat cut. The content of total protein and essential amino acid in pectoral muscle of Guangyuan grey chicken was higher. The amino acid score of most essential amino acids in Guangyuan grey chicken was higher than 100, excluding Leu and Val. The content of free amino acids was higher in 120 d chicken, which was higher in roosters than in hens, and higher in thigh muscle than in pectoralis. These results provide more information for understanding the characteristics of Guangyuan grey chicken. ABSTRACT: The composition and content of amino acids in foodstuffs have a vital impact on the nutritional value and taste. With the aim of understanding the nutrition and flavor of Guangyuan grey chicken, the composition and content of amino acids in the pectoralis and thigh muscle of chickens at the age of 90 d, 120 d and 150 d were determine using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and an amino acid analyzer. A total of 17 amino acids were detected both in pectoralis and thigh muscle via the amino acid analyzer, of which the content of glutamate was the highest. Additionally, 21 deproteinized free amino acids were detected via LC-MS/MS. Among all samples, the content of glutamine in thigh muscle was the highest. The content of histidine in the pectoralis was the highest. In terms of the flavor amino acids (FAAs), the umami-taste and sweet-taste amino acids were higher in the thigh muscle of 120 d male chicken. From the perspective of protein nutrition, the essential amino acid was higher in pectoral muscle, and the composition was better. The results of the amino acid score showed that the content of leucine and valine were inadequate in Guangyuan grey chicken. Collectively, the content of amino acid in Guangyuan grey chicken was affected by age, gender and meat cut. This study confirms that meat of chicken in different ages, genders, and cuts presents different nutritional values and flavors owing to the variation of amino acids content.