Analysis of the Nutritional Content of Myocastor coypus

The present investigation was designed to determine the nutritional content of Myocastor coypus (nutria). Proximates, total petroleum ether extractable fatty acids, cholesterol, iron, sodium, calcium, vitamins A and C were determined. In comparing male versus female and young versus old nutria there were no differences in protein and moisture; however, there were significant differences in total petroleum ether extractable fat, ash, and cholesterol content. Average results for meat from all animals were 1.3 g for total petroleum ether extractable fat, 1.0 g ash, 22.1 g protein, 36 mg for cholesterol, 1.7 mg for iron, 67 mg for sodium, and 5.2 mg for calcium per 100 g wet weight. Nutria petroleum ether extractable fat was generally richer in saturated (43%) than mono (33%) and polyunsaturated fat (24%). As expected, nutria was not a good source of vitamins A and C. In summary, nutria is an excellent nutritional source of protein which is low in fat and cholesterol. Thus, nutria meat provides a healthy alternative food which complies with current healthy and dietary recommendations for low fat, low cholesterol diets.