A comparative review of the nutritional profiles of neotropical mammals: agouti (Dasyprocta leporina), lowland paca (Cuniculus paca), capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) and collard peccary (Tayassu tajacu) vs domestic species

Abstract

Neo-tropical mammal meats are one of the most widely consumed foods in rural communities of South America and the Caribbean. This review examined the meat yields and nutritional compositions of neo-tropical mammals and compared them to domestic animals. A total of 76 studies published between 1992 and 2024 in English, Portuguese, and Spanish were reviewed. The results show that neo-tropical species generally exhibit higher carcass yields compared to cattle and lamb, indicating the efficiency of meat production as larger portions of the animal’s live weight are converted to usable meat. Neo-tropical animals stand out with their higher levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and greater PUFA to saturated fatty acid (SFA) ratios, contributing to potential health benefits. Notably, the lower n-6 to n- 3 fatty acid ratios in neo-tropical mammal meats align with decreased incidences of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as arteriosclerosis, strokes, and heart attacks. On the other hand, domestic species had higher protein content and a more favourable omega-6 to omega-3 ratio, which is important for muscle growth and reducing inflammation, respectively. Neo-tropical species generally exhibited lower levels of cholesterol, beneficial for individuals looking to reduce their sodium intake. However, neo-tropical species generally had a higher polyunsaturated fat content ranging from 15.9% – 36.1%, whereas domestic animals had lower levels ranging from 2.7% - 22.0%.