The purpose of this study was to analyze and evaluate the levels of essential elements (Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Se) and proximate composition (moisture, protein, fat, and ash) of three pork cuts (loin, hind leg, and shoulder) from free-range Mangulica pigs from Serbia. Essential elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Shoulder contained the highest levels of essential elements (Mn, 0.192 mg kg-1; Fe, 19.550 mg kg-1; Cu, 1.490 mg kg-1; Zn, 44.470 mg kg-1; and Se, 0.130 mg kg-1). The shoulder and hind leg cut differed significantly from the loin in Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn levels. This study showed that Mangulica pork is a rich source of Fe and Zn, and these elements showed significant correlations for a range of tissue combinations. The highest levels of protein (21.15 g/100 g) and fat (10.60 g/100 g) were established in loin, and the highest moisture level occurred in shoulder (72.02 g/100 g). Statistically, significant differences were established only between loin and shoulder in protein and fat contents.
Keywords: Essential elements; Mangulica; Meat cuts; Proximate composition.