FORENSIC IDENTIFICATION OF SUBCUTANEOUS AND PERIRENAL ADIPOSE TISSUE SAMPLES IN SOME FARM ANIMALS USING GAS LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY

We investigated the fatty acid profiles of adipose tissues from cows, sheep and camels in order to identify between the different animal species from the medicolegal point of view. Subcutaneous and perirenal adipose tissues were freshly and randomly sampled from slaughter houses. Fatty acids were transestrified to Fatty Acids Methyl Ester (FAME) and their profile was determined using gas chromatography. The contents of total polyunsaturated oleic fatty acid C18:1 was higher in cows and sheep while camels recorded the lowest levels. However, the saturated stearic fatty acid C18:0 was significantly higher in camels, moderately in sheep and significantly lower in cows (P<0.05). On the other hand, myristic (C14:0) and palmitic (C16:0) fatty acids showed non significant differences in their levels between the three animal species. We conclude that stearic and oleic fatty acids profile could be significantly important from the medicolegal point to identify and discriminate between different animals using adipose tissues and fat depots.