Abstract：A total of 77 Mongolian sheep meat samples collected from ten banners or counties in Inner Mongolia, and 6 beef samples and 5 horse meat samples collected exclusively from Ewenki banner were determined for the contents of 22 macro and micro mineral elements. The analytical data were subjected to principal component analysis and descriptive statistics. Significant regional and species differences in the micro-element profile of Mongolian sheep meat existed. Sheep meat samples from Ewenki and West Ujumqin banners, located in Hulunbuir grassland, were significantly separated from those from other regions particularly in terms of Cd, Sb, Se and Cs. Mutton samples from Hexigten Banner, located near Khorchin grassland, showed a distinctive micro-element profile, rich in Rb. A significant species difference in mineral profile was observed among mutton, beef and horse meat from Ewenki banner. Macro minerals did not show significant regional differences; minerals had a significant positive correlation with lean meat proportion but had a negative correlation with fat content in Mongolian sheep meat. Mineral contents in sheep tail fat were the lowest, and Ca, Na and Mn were the most abundant minerals. The average Se level of Mongolian sheep meat was low, and Se levels of meat samples from the east of Inner Mongolia were significantly lower as compared to those from the middle and west.
2017, Vol. 31 
