The Relationship of Fatty Acid Composition and Carcass Characteristics to Meat Flavor in Lamb¹

The relationship of 20 fatty acids and carcass quality characteristics to meat flavor in lamb was studied. Subcutaneous fat samples obtained from 64 lamb carcasses were analyzed for fatty acid composition. A taste panel evaluated flavor of a ground lean‐fat mixture of meat. Flavor was most highly correlated with amounts of fatty acids 18:1 and 18:3 (r =—0.33 and r = 0.33, respectively). The remaining fatty acids were not associated with flavor. Quality grade, carcass weight, fat softness, maturity and fat color were not associated with lamb flavor. Carcass softness was not associated with quality grades. Greater quantities of 17:0, 18:1, and 18:2 were associated with increased carcass fatness.