4.1. Proximate Chemical Composition
The quality of rabbit meat is affected by breeding strategies [
24] related to selection for rapid growth [
25]. As a result, rabbits reach their slaughter weight within a shorter time, but the quality of their carcasses and meat may vary widely, even when the animals are slaughtered at the same age. In the present study, differences in the quality of meat from CAL and FG rabbits slaughtered at 91 days of age could be expected, since medium-sized and large rabbit breeds differ in growth rate and maturity at slaughter [
24]. It was found that the meat of CAL rabbits had lower water content (by 1.49 percentage points) and higher protein content (by 1.2 percentage points). A lower W/P ratio is more desirable because it contributes to higher product yield during meat processing (lower loss of own water, greater ability to hold added water). The meat of CAL rabbits tended to have higher IMF content (by 0.18 percentage points), which also confirms that it was more mature at slaughter. However, it should be noted that IMF content is not the best indicator of meat maturity in rabbits, contrary to other animal species [
26], because rabbit meat is very lean [
27].
The quality (including proximate chemical composition) of meat from FG rabbits remains insufficiently investigated. Frunza et al. [
28] analyzed the quality of samples collected from the
Longissimus dorsi (LD),
Triceps brachii (TB), and
Semimembranosus (SM) muscles of rabbits slaughtered at 11 months of age. They found that the LD muscle from males had the highest protein content (21.70%), the TB muscle of females had the highest proportion of lipids (2.65%), whereas ash content in the analyzed three muscle groups was relatively close, with higher average values in the TB muscle (1.231% in males). In the present study, meat from FG rabbits had higher average protein content and lower fat content. The differences between the present findings and the results obtained by Frunza et al. [
28] could be due to considerable differences in the slaughter age of FG rabbits (3 months vs. 11 months). Gondret et al. [
29] reported that in rabbit, IMF content increases with age, provided that the age differences are not too small. In turn, fat content is inversely related to the protein and water content of meat [
30].
Studies investigating CAL rabbits are more numerous, but they often report incomplete information on the muscle type or composition of meat samples, which consist of different muscles or carcass cuts. Belichovska et al. [
31] found that genotype had no significant effect on the proximate chemical composition of HL muscles in CAL and New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits or the crosses between these two breeds. The analyzed meat contained 21.59–22.01% of protein, 2.62–2.88% of fat, and 1.12–1.37 of ash. In a study by Maj et al. [
32], the protein content of the
Longissimus muscle in CAL rabbits slaughtered at 2.5 kg BW (12–13 weeks of age) reached 22.15%, and it was comparable with that noted in NZW rabbits and in (NZW × CAL) × CAL and (CAL × NZW) × NZW crosses. The fat content of meat ranged from 1.60% to 1.70% in CAL and NZW rabbits and (CAL × NZW) × NZW crosses, and it was lower than in (NZW × CAL) × CAL crosses (2.17%) where the CAL genotype predominated. Piórkowska [
33] analyzed meat quality in six breeds (NZW, Termond White, Danish White, CAL, Alaskan and Grand Chinchilla) of rabbits slaughtered at 91 days of age and found no interbreed differences in the protein content of meat (
Longissimus and HL muscles), which ranged from 21.7% in CAL rabbits to 22.4% in Grand Chinchillas. The average fat content of meat ranged from 2.8% to 4.4%, and it was highest in CAL rabbits. The genetic potential for IMF deposition in rabbit breeds and lines is difficult to determine because it has not been thoroughly examined to date, but as demonstrated by Martínez-Alvaro et al. [
34], IMF content can be modified by the selection of animals.
In the present study, sex had no significant effect on the proximate chemical composition of rabbit meat, which corroborates previous research [
28,
35,
36]. Our findings suggest that there is an interaction between rabbit breed and sex for IMF content. Similar results were reported by Ortiz Hernández and Rubio Lozano [
37] who found that the meat of female CAL rabbits had higher IMF content compared with males, whereas the opposite was observed in NZW rabbits (no differences in the proximate composition of meat were found between male and female Rex and Chinchilla rabbits).
In the current experiment, rabbit muscles had a high content of total protein and minerals (ash) and low fat content, regardless of their anatomical location (LTL or HL muscles), which is consistent with the findings of other authors [
38,
39]. In the cited studies, the LD muscle of rabbits had higher total protein content, lower fat content, and similar ash content, compared with HL muscles. Hind leg muscles had higher IMF content, but it generally remained at a low level, which indicates that rabbit meat is lean [
27].
4.2. Cholesterol, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E
In a study by Dalle Zotte [
24], rabbit meat had the lowest cholesterol content among the most popular meat types. However, cholesterol concentration in rabbit meat may vary widely. According to Polak et al. [
40], those differences result from the use of different analytical methods or samples from different carcass cuts as well as different interpretations of analytical data [
41]. For instance, Gašperlin et al. [
42] found that average cholesterol content was 76.6 mg/100 g of meat (
Longissimus lumborum muscle + muscles of the abdominal wall + HL muscles), whereas Dalle Zotte et al. [
43] noted average cholesterol content of 61.8 mg/100 g of meat (HL muscles). In a study by Loponte et al. [
44], cholesterol concentration in the
Longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle of male CAL × NZW crosses raised in free-range areas and in open-air cages was 54.1 and 58.6 mg/100 g, respectively. The noted values were comparable with that determined in the present study in samples of the LTL muscle in male CAL rabbits (50.32 mg/100 g), but higher than that determined in females (43.43 mg/100 g). In this study, the genotype and sex of rabbits had no effect on the cholesterol content of meat, which is consistent with the findings of Gašperlin et al. [
42] and Dalle Zotte et al. [
43]. Polak et al. [
40] demonstrated that cholesterol concentration was higher in the meat of male rabbits.
In the present experiment, the average content of vitamin A and vitamin E was 1.87 and 1.67 µg/g of meat, respectively. Vitamin A content was considerably higher in the muscles of females. Scant literature data are available on the levels of vitamins A and E in rabbit meat. Wognin et al. [
45] demonstrated that the content of vitamin A and vitamin E in the HL muscles of rabbits ranged from 0.01 to 0.31 µg/100 g, and from 146.81 to 280.67 µg/100 g, respectively, depending on their diet. In a study by Dal Bosco et al. [
46], the vitamin E content of rabbit meat was 2.15 mg/100 g.
4.3. Fatty Acid Profile
Unlike in polygastric animals, in monogastric animals (including rabbits), dietary fatty acids are incorporated into adipose tissue in practically unchanged form. Long-chain and medium-chain fatty acids, released during digestion, are catabolized and become a source of energy in adipocytes, whereas long-chain fatty acids are deposited as triglycerides [
47]. Therefore, the fatty acid profile of rabbit meat may be directly related to the fatty acid profile of the animals’ diet [
48], leading to differences in research findings. It should also be stressed that the fatty acid profile of rabbit fat differs due to its anatomical location [
49].
In the present study, UFAs were the predominant fatty acid group in IMF. This is an important consideration because SFAs are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and their intake should be reduced [
50]. Previous research [
51] shows that the fatty acid profile of rabbit meat is determined by various factors, including genotype and sex which can exert various effects. In the current experiment, the meat of CAL rabbits was characterized by a more desirable fatty acid composition (higher concentrations of MUFAs and UFAs). In a study by Chodová et al. [
52], the
Biceps femoris muscle of rabbits had lower MUFA content and higher PUFA content in small breeds than in medium-sized and large breeds. Gašperlin et al. [
42] demonstrated that neither genotype nor sex exerted significant effects on the fatty acid composition of rabbit meat. Dalle Zotte et al. [
43] found that the HL muscles of crossbred rabbits originating from Vienna Blue and Burgundy sires did not differ significantly in their fatty acid profiles, except that the meat of rabbits derived from the Vienna Blue breed had a higher (
p < 0.05) content of C10:0 fatty acid. However, the fatty acid composition of meat was affected by sex. The meat of female rabbits had a higher (
p < 0.05) content of C18:3 n-3 fatty acid, a lower (
p < 0.05) content of C16:0, C20:3 n-6 fatty acids, PUFAs and SFAs, and a lower (
p < 0.05) SFA/UFA ratio. According to De Smet et al. [
53], the effect of sex on the fatty acid profile of meat in cattle may be related to the possible influence of sex hormones on enzyme systems such as ∆9-desaturase. Such a relationship could also exist in rabbits, but further research is needed to validate this hypothesis.
4.4. Physicochemical Properties
The pH of meat has a considerable influence on many other meat quality attributes. According to Hulot and Ouhayoun [
54], among biological factors (muscle, age, genotype, family), muscle type exerts the greatest effect on the differences in acidification. The differences in ultimate pH values between muscles can reach 0.7 units, and are due to differences in fiber typology. Ouhayoun et al. [
55] demonstrated that in samples of 11 muscles, the ultimate pH values measured 22 h post mortem ranged from 5.71 to 6.00. According to Hulot and Ouhayoun [
54], muscles from the carcass forequarters have higher ultimate pH values than those from the hindquarters. In turn, the latter have a higher pH than those from the loin. This is consistent with the results of the present study, which revealed that the average pH value was lower in the LTL muscle than in HL muscles.
The results of studies investigating the effect of sex on meat pH in rabbits are inconclusive. Yalçın et al. [
56] and North et al. [
36] found that meat pH was higher in males. However, Carrilho et al. [
57], Dalle Zotte et al. [
43], and Frunza et al. [
28] demonstrated that sex had no effect on meat pH. Rabbit breed affected meat pH in a study by Wang et al. [
58], whereas no such effect was observed by Dalle Zotte et al. [
43]. The differences in meat acidity between males and females and rabbits of different genotypes, noted in the current experiment, could result from differences in muscle fiber composition or the glycolytic potential of muscle tissue. The proportion of aerobic fibers with lower glycogen content is higher in males, which affects meat acidity [
59,
60]. Regardless of the potential effects exerted by sex and genotype, the pH of rabbit meat can be influenced by various preslaughter factors [
61].
The differences in the pH values of the muscles analyzed in this study affected the WHC of samples. The higher average pH values of meat from CAL rabbits and hind legs indicate that proteins far from their isoelectric points could bind more water, resulting in an increased WHC (lower drip loss determined by the filter paper press method).
The color of rabbit meat, similarly to other meat types, may be indirectly influenced by environmental factors associated with the housing and management system [
62], preslaughter stress [
63], and muscle activity [
64]. According to Pascual and Pla [
25], selection for growth rate also induces changes in the color of rabbit meat. The differences in the average values of color parameters L*, a*, and b*, reported in the literature, could be due to the fact that researchers used different instruments to measure meat color, and employed different methods to record reflectance measurements and calculate the above parameters [
64].
In the present study, rabbit breed or genotype had no influence on meat color, which corroborates the findings of Dalle Zotte et al. [
43] and North et al. [
36]. The color parameters of meat (
Biceps femoris) were affected by rabbit breed in experiments conducted by Chodová et al. [
52] and Wang et al. [
58]. Blasco et al. [
65] reported differences in the values of L*, a*, and b* among rabbit breeds of different sizes, which however did not show a clear pattern.
Lazzaroni et al. [
66] and Dalle Zotte et al. [
43] noted a significant effect of sex on the values of color parameter b* in the
Longissimus lumborum muscle, which were higher in female rabbits. According to Dalle Zotte et al. [
43], the above resulted from a higher proportion of red slow-twitch fibers in the muscle of females, and lower activity of the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase.
In the current experiment, HL muscles were darker in color than the LTL muscle, most probably due to their higher pH. Moreover, HL muscles show higher activity than the Longissimus muscle, which contributes to higher myoglobin concentration and a darker red color.
4.5. Sensory Properties
According to Dalle Zotte [
24], rabbit meat has a specific flavor profile, similar to that of wild game meat, which may not be well accepted by all consumers. Therefore, a slightly less intense aroma of meat from CAL rabbits, noted in this study, can be regarded as desirable. However, it should be stressed that an analysis of interaction effects revealed lower (
p ≤ 0.05) aroma intensity only in the meat of males. Lower scores for aroma intensity could contribute to higher scores for aroma desirability in CAL rabbits.
In comparison with other types of meat, the juiciness of rabbit meat is assessed as medium or low [
67], which was confirmed in the current study. The relatively low juiciness of meat from rabbits of both analyzed breeds was related to low IMF content. Intramuscular fat contributes to perceived juiciness by loosening the structure of connective tissue, which facilitates the release of juice during chewing and stimulates the salivary glands to produce saliva.
Meat tenderness is another sensory attribute related to IMF content [
68]. However, the IMF content rabbit meat analyzed in this study was low, and its effect on tenderness could be disregarded. The observed differences in the tenderness and shear force values of LTL muscle samples cannot be attributed to the differences in meat acidity, which affects the activity of endogenous proteolytic enzymes of the calpain system [
69]. In the present study, the pH values of LTL muscles were similar in FG and CAL rabbits (as confirmed by the absence of an interaction between the breed and muscle type). Therefore, it appears that meat tenderness could be affected by interbreed differences in muscle histology (the type and size of muscle fibers), which were observed by Chodová et al. [
52]. However, Kozioł et al. [
70], who investigated the effect of rabbit breed (Flemish Giant Gray, Californian Black, NZW, Popielno White, and Blanc de Termonde) on the shear force values and texture parameters of the
Longissimus lumborum muscle, found that breed had a significant effect only on hardness, which was highest in Blanc de Termonde and lowest in Flemish Giant Gray rabbits. Ortiz Hernández and Rubio Lozano [
37], who compared meat quality in four rabbit breeds (New Zealand, Rex, Chinchilla, and CAL), noted a significant difference in tenderness only between Rex and CAL breeds. According to Martínez-Álvaro and Hernández [
71], an analysis of the quality of the
Longissimus dorsi muscle should account for variation in the sensory attributes of samples collected along this muscle. In the cited study, considerable variation was noted particularly in the texture properties of rabbit meat (toughness, juiciness, and fibrousness), which reached approximately 10% between the caudal and cranial extremes. Variation was also found in the intensity of liver and rabbit odor and flavor along the LD muscle.
In the present study, sex had no effect on the analyzed sensory properties of rabbit meat. Differences in the sensory quality of meat from males and females were not reported by Frunza et al. [
28], Gašperlin et al. [
42], and Polak et al. [
40]. Kozioł et al. [
70], Ortiz Hernández and Rubio Lozano [
37], and Trocino et al. [
72] demonstrated that sex had no influence on the texture parameters of rabbit meat.