LAUSR

ABSTRACT Proximate compositions of dorsal, ventral, leg, and tail cuts of farmed spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus) were determined. The water, protein, fat, and ash contents of muscle were 77–78%, 19–23%, 0.3–1.2%, and 1.0%, respectively. The dominant nucleotide-related compound in the tissues was inosine monophosphate (IMP) (68.6–84.9%). The predominant free amino acids (FAAs) in the muscle of spectacled caiman were taurine (Tau), glycine (Gly), alanine (Ala), and histidine (His), along with a dipeptide of anserine (Ans) (80–183 mg/100 g) and carnosine (Car) (35–103 mg/100 g) being detected in each sample. The major fatty acid composition included palmitic (16:0), oleic (18:1 cis-9), linoleic (18:2n-6), and stearic (C18:0) acids. The amount of docosahexaenoic acid (4.27–8.76%) was higher than that of eicosapentaenoic acid (0.99–2.24%). The ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acid/saturated fatty acid in spectacled caiman (0.83–1.19) was higher than that in other commonly consumed meat. Meat from the spectacled caiman can be characterized as a valuable food for human consumption in terms of these nutritional features.