ASSESMENT OF CHOLESTEROL LEVEL OF FAT AND OIL IN COW ( ) SHEPP()

ABSTRACT Cholesterol is a vital lipid component in animal tissues that serves as a precursor to steroid hormones, bile acids, and vitamin D. Understanding the cholesterol content in cow and sheep fats is essential for assessing their nutritional value and potential health implications, particularly given the established relationship between dietary cholesterol and cardiovascular disease.ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine and compare the cholesterol content in fat and oil extracted from cow and sheep using validated analytical methods, and to evaluate the nutritional and industrial significance of the findings.MethodologyFresh meat samples from cow and sheep were obtained and prepared through systematic trimming, homogenization, and freeze-drying. Total lipid extraction was performed using the Soxhlet method with chloroform over a 6-hour cycle. Cholesterol determination was conducted using the Liebermann-Burchard colorimetric method following saponification with 33% potassium hydroxide and extraction of the unsaponifiable matter with n-hexane. Spectrophotometric measurements were taken at 630 nm against a five-point calibration curve (20-100 µg/mL). All analyses were performed in triplicate, and statistical significance was determined using independent student's t-test (p < 0.05).ResultsThe total lipid content was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in sheep meat (24.5 ± 1.2% w/w) compared to cow meat (18.3 ± 0.9% w/w). However, when expressed per 100g of meat, the cholesterol content showed no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) between sheep (71.3 ± 3.5 mg/100g) and cow (65.8 ± 2.9 mg/100g). Notably, when cholesterol was expressed per gram of extracted fat, cow fat contained significantly higher cholesterol (359.6 ± 15.8 mg/g of fat) compared to sheep fat (291.0 ± 14.3 mg/g of fat) (p < 0.05). Additional comprehensive analysis revealed mean cholesterol concentrations of 109.5 ± 6.8 mg/100g in cow fat samples and 102.3 ± 5.4 mg/100g in sheep fat samples, representing approximately 6.6% higher cholesterol in cow fat.ConclusionBoth cow and sheep fats contain substantial cholesterol levels, with cow fat exhibiting moderately higher concentrations than sheep fat.