Organoleptic evaluation of meat quality of Tian Shan lambs of different ages

The present study was devoted to a comprehensive organoleptic evaluation of the quality of meat of lambs of the Tian Shan breed, raised in a small farm in the mountainous regions of Kyrgyzstan. The aim of the work was to determine in detail the taste, aromatic and textural characteristics of lamb meat at the age of 4, 6 and 8 months, as well as to establish compliance of the obtained indicators with the current quality standards. The research methodology included strict sampling of the longest muscle of the back (m. longissimus dorsi) from animals of each age group. To ensure the reliability of the results, heat treatment of meat was carried out in accordance with the GOST 9959-2015 standard, which guaranteed standardised preparation conditions. Tasting evaluation was carried out by a qualified commission of seven experts, and the obtained data were subjected to biometric processing. According to the results of the analysis, it was found that all the meat samples tested demonstrated exceptionally high performance in key organoleptic parameters, including appearance, aroma, flavour, juiciness and consistency. Average scores on a 9-point scale ranged from 8.3 to 8.7 on average, indicating high product quality. Particular attention was paid to the tenderness indicator, for which the meat received the highest scores, which confirms such a biological feature of the Tian Shan breed as precocity and its suitability for early slaughter to obtain tender lamb. No defects or off-flavours were detected during the study, underlining the high level of animal rearing and the premium quality of the product. The findings confirmed the significant potential of the Tian Shan breed to produce high quality lamb in a small business environment, providing a competitive advantage in the marketplace