Heat processing methods have been most commonly used to accomplish two main objectives: cooking food, i.e., making it flavourful and easier to chew and digest, and ensuring food safety by inactivating pathogen microorganisms and enzymes [
22]. Heat processes can be classified into three primary groups: moist, dry, and microwave-based. The treatments we used are among the moist (water bath cooking WBC, where the source of heat is usually hot liquid media, such as water) and dry (oven convection roasting OCR, where the source of heat is hot air in ovens and hot surfaces in pan-fried PF or heating plates in grilled G). These are the conventional techniques used by consumers [
13,
22].
3.1. Cooking loss
Cooking loss is a combination of liquid and soluble matters lost from the meat during cooking. Total cooking losses rely on the temperature and rate of heating [
8].
In our study (
Table 1), both the type of muscle (with or without skin) and the type of heat processing used significantly (p ≤ 0.01) affected cooking loss in goose breast muscles. Significantly higher CLs characterised muscles with skin than without skin (43.2 vs. 38.7%) in all heat processing methods. This is because goose meat, which belongs to waterfowl, contains significant amounts of subcutaneous and intramuscular fat lost during heat treatment. Similarly, other authors [
9,
19] found significantly (p ≤ 0.05) greater CL in the pectoral muscles of White Koluda goose with skin than without skin. In our study, we also observed a significant (p ≤ 0.01) effect of heat treatment on increasing cooking loss in muscle (G, OCR, PF > WBC), even though in our experiment, the final temperature inside the sample was the same (75°C). Evaporation, dripping and structural changes cause water loss during cooking, oven convection roasting, grilling, and pan-frying of meat. Shrinkage during cooking causes the most noteworthy water loss at 60–70°C, and it is assumed that water is removed by the pressure applied by the shrinking connective tissue on the aqueous solution in the extracellular void [
10].
Similarly, Wołoszyn et al. [
19] showed significant (p ≤ 0.05) the least cooking loss in the pectoral muscles of White Koluda goose under water bath cooking, compared to the other methods: OCR, G and PF. In a study of other thermal treatments, Wereńska [
9] showed the lowest value of cooking loss for sous-vide (27.16%) samples compared with microwave (40.16%) cooking and stewing (47.63%).
In our study, the interaction between the type of muscle (with or without skin) and the type of heat treatment used proved significant (p ≤ 0.01). In contrast, Wołoszyn et al. 2020 [
19] showed no interaction between the type of meat and heat treatment in White Koluda goose.
3.2. Moisture content
Both the type of muscle (with or without skin) and the type of heat treatment significantly (p ≤ 0.01) affected the moisture content of White Koluda goose pectoral muscles (
Table 1). The skinless muscles were characterised by significantly (p ≤ 0.01) larger content of moisture than those with skin (61.5 vs. 58.6%). In contrast, significantly (p ≤ 0.01) larger moisture content in White Koluda goose breast muscles without skin than with skin was found by Goluch et al. [
16] and Wereńska et al. [
23] (62.5 vs. 58.3% and 62.91 vs. 58.94 respectively).
The content of moisture in the raw muscles (68.9%) and WBC (63.9%) was significantly (p ≤ 0.01) higher than in other heat-treated samples (PF, OR, G). Belinsky and Kuhnlein [
24] found that heat processing influences the moisture content in Canada Goose breast muscles with skin: FR>B>OCR (56.1>51.4>50.6% respectively). Differently, Oz and Celik [
25] have found no significant impact of 7 types of heat processing (boiling, grilling, pan frying without fat or oil, pan frying with oil, deep-fat frying, oven roasting, microwave cooking) on the fluctuations in moisture content of Turkish skinless geese breast muscles.
Unlike the study by Goluch et al. [
16], in our study, the interaction between the type of muscle (with or without skin) and the method of heat treatment, in the case of water content, did not prove significant.
3.5. Selenium content and retention
The primary dietary bioavailable forms of selenium (≥ 90% bioavailability) are selenomethionine (SeMet) and selenocysteine (SeC). The inorganic forms of selenium (selenate [SeO
4]
2-, selenite [SeO
3]
2-, etc.) also have good bioavailability (60–70% bioavailability) but less than SeMet and SeC. SeMet is absorbed from the intestine, whereas the inorganic forms of selenium (selenate, selenite, etc.) are absorbed by the simple diffusion process. The absorbed selenium sources are converted to selenide (HSe
2-) in the liver, which is utilised for the activation/generation of selenoenzymes. Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), type I iodothyronine deiodinase and selenoprotein P were identified as specific selenium-containing Se-Cys proteins. The liver is the chief organ storing selenium and supplies selenium to other tissues on a need basis. Excretion of absorbed Se as methylated Se compounds, e.g. trimethylselenonium, occurs mainly through urine [
2,
5,
27]. Retention of Se is inversely related to intake; low Se intake results in lower urinary excretion and increased body retention of Se.
Geese take up selenium with conventional feed in organic (SeMet and Se-Cys) or inorganic (sodium selenite) form. In regions of the world where this element is found to be deficient in the environment, geese can take it up from feed fortified with Se-enriched yeast, selenium chelate, nano-Se or algae such as
Scenedesmus quadricauda and Chlorella. Drinking water is also a source of selenium in goose nutrition. Although the Se content in water is minimal (10-20 μg/L), there are regions of the world where the content of this element in water is high, including areas of the US, Venezuela and China [
28,
29].
Skeletal muscle is reported to be the major Se body pool, accounting for approximately half of the total body Se. Goose meat contains selenoproteins, of which the main biologically active form of selenium is the amino acid selenocysteine (SeC), 81% of which is absorbed mainly in the small intestine [
30].
During heat treatment, culinary losses due to mass transfer depend not only on cooking conditions such as cooking method, cooking surface, cooking temperature and cooking time but also on meat properties such as moisture, fat and protein content, pH value of raw meat and meat size [
31]. Losses of minerals during heat treatment of meat also depend on the form in which they occur. Minerals in the form of soluble dissociated salts (part of Na, small amounts of P, Ca and K) end up in the leakage. Ingredients such as Fe, which combine with proteins, remain in the meat. Several research papers [
16,
24,
25,
27,
32] have been devoted to the effect of heat treatment on the content of minerals (Ca, K, Mg, Na, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, P, B, Al) in goose meat, but they did not address selenium.
In our study, muscle type (with or without skin) had no significant effect on the selenium content of White Koluda goose breast muscles. However, a significant (p ≤ 0.01) effect of heat processing on the value of this element in muscles was observed. Raw muscles (15.3 μg/100g FM) had the lowest selenium content, compared to heat-treated ones: R< OCR, G, PF, WBC (25.8; 25.6; 24.3; 21.8 3 μg/100g FM respectively). The Se content found in raw breast muscles was higher than that determined by Boawei et al. [
28], Horak et al. [
29], Łukaszewicz et al.[
30] and Sobolev et al. [
33] (14; 0.035; 13.1; 9.25 μg/100g respectively). The differences in the values obtained are due to the origin of goose meat (commercial sales, experimental studies), different breeds (White Koluda, Canada goose, Gray, Gorki breed), sex and diet. There was also a significant (p ≤ 0.01) interaction between the type of muscle (with or without skin) and the heat processing used. Significantly, the highest selenium content was found in OCR-treated skinless muscle (26.7 μg/100g) compared to raw muscle (17.4 μg/100g). Grilling and pan-frying also significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased selenium content in skinless muscles, compared to raw muscles (24.9 and 24.3 vs. 17.4 μg/100g). In the case of muscle with skin, all the thermal treatments applied significantly (p ≤ 0.01) increased selenium concentration, compared to raw muscle: OCR, G, PF, WBC > R.
The higher Se content of roasted meat is due to its retention, which occurs when high temperature acts on muscle proteins. During roasting, when the temperature is between 100 and 140°C, proteins’ digestibility is reduced by forming intramolecular and intermolecular covalent bonds [
34]. In another study, it was shown [
19] that a crust is formed during roasting of goose meat, which prevents the escape of water and thus minerals, which explains their higher concentration in cooked muscles.
Since no studies adequate to ours have been found in the literature, it is impossible to compare the results obtained of the selenium content of breast meat after applying various thermal treatments to the results of other researchers. For example, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture database [
35], the Se content of raw goose meat with skin is 14.4 µg/100g and 16.8 µg/100g without skin, but these values apply to the whole carcass, not just the breast muscles. Similarly, Chen et al. [
36] reported a Se content of 34.6 (22.1-49. 8) µg/100g FM in goose meat bought in commercial stores in Taiwan, but the type of muscle, sex of the birds, and presence of skin were not given. It is well known that muscles differ in their histological structure and the nature of their metabolic transformations, which may affect their mineral content, including selenium [
37].
Considering the calculated selenium retention (
Table 2), the study showed no significant differences between the type of meat (with or without skin), the heat processing used, and the interaction between the two.
3.6. Coverage of selenium intake standards
Recommendations for the amount of selenium intake (
Table 3) by adults vary according to gender, age and level of the standard (AI Adequate Intake, EAR Estima-ted Average Requirement RDA Recommended Dietary Allowance, RI Reference Inta-kes). Recommendations for Se intake range from 25 to 70 µg/d. For example, WHO/FAO (2005) recommends, for women aged 19-65 (at the RI level), an intake of 26 µg/d, and over 66 years of age, 25 µg/d. Similarly, these recommendations for men are 34 and 33 µg/d. Consumption of 100 g of goose meat (raw or heat-treated) will therefore cover the recommended Se intake for men and women in different countries in different percentages, depending on the adopted level of the AI, RI, EAR or RDA standard.
Our calculations show that, theoretically, a serving of 100 g of raw goose breast meat without skin will cover the daily Se requirement for women in the range of 24.9-69.6% and for men from 24.9-52.7%, depending on the level of standards (
Table 3). The same serving of raw goose breast meat with skin will cover the daily Se requirement in a lower percentage: similarly for women 18.9-52.8% and men 18.9-40.0%. However, the consumption of raw goose meat is not widespread, and in most regions of the world, it is subject to various culinary treatments.
Breast meat grilled with skin and OCR without skin (78.5-107.6%) will cover the highest percentage of daily selenium requirements for both men and women. In general, depending on the accepted standard, goose meat (without skin) subjected to various heat treatments will cover the daily selenium requirements of adults in the range of 28.6-106.8%, while with skin in the range of 33.3-99.6%.
It is understood that the above-physiological intake of Se by humans can cause the phenomenon of hyperalimentation and pose a risk of exceeding the Upper Level (UL). In 2006, EFSA proposed the upper level (UL) of selenium consumption of 300 μg/day for adults [
28], which took into account this element from both diet and supplements (EFSA 2006). However, due to the increase in the consumption of dietary supplements in 2022, EFSA lowered the UL to 255 (μg/day), including for pregnant and breastfeeding women [
29]The range of selenium intake sufficient and still non-toxic for the organism is very narrow, depending, however, on the chemical form of Se. Selenosis most often occurs in regions with high selenium levels in soil and drinking water. It can also be a consequence of consuming dietary supplements [
30].
Taking into account our determined selenium content of raw meat and meat subjected to various heat processing, and considering the reference daily intake in different countries, the consumption of a serving of 100g of goose covers the needs of an adult human (depending on gender) from 18.9% to 107.6%. Ingestion of goose breast muscle could exceed the UL if consumed in its raw state in a portion 14-19 times higher than 100 g but after heat treatment in an amount 10 times larger.
In addition, it should be noted that selenium bioavailability can be affected by other dietary factors such as dietary methionine (Met) content, thiols, heavy metals and vitamin C [
28]. Dietary Met deficiency results in using Se-Met for protein synthesis (to replace Met), contributing to increased Se content in tissues and thus reduced incorporation into the enzyme glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Glutathione peroxidase transforms the toxic and carcinogenic hydrogen peroxide into harmless water and oxygen. Its activation requires small amounts of Se (selenocysteine), probably substituting sulfur in the glutathione molecule and causing the development of the modified enzyme GPx4 [
29]. In contrast, with a diet rich in Met, there is competition in intestinal absorption with Se-Met, leading to a lower state of Se saturation in the body. Some thiols in the gastrointestinal tract increase selenite absorption, probably due to the formation of selenocomplexes with thiol compounds, which are more rapidly absorbed by the intestinal Na+-dependent and independent mechanisms. High vitamin C intake (1 g/d) may result in higher absorption and increased selenium retention, possibly due to vitamin C’s protection of key sulfhydryl groups involved in selenium uptake from the gastrointestinal tract. The interaction of Se with heavy metals reduces Se utilization in some foods by forming bonds between them. Various arsenic compounds and cysteine, methionine, copper, tungsten, mercury, cadmium, and silver have been reported to decrease the efficiency of inorganic Se absorption from the gut. The effect of a low-protein diet rich in phosphorus on the lowest Se retention was also observed. In addition, fractions of soluble fibre and guar gum increase faecal Se excretion in humans and reduce Se homeostasis in the body due to reduced absorption from the gastrointestinal tract [
38,
39].
From the consumer’s point of view, the information placed by the manufacturer on the food packaging label is important because it helps consumers make nutritional choices. According to a European Parliament directive [
40], the label includes information on energy and nutritional value. This information should also include the daily intake (NRV) reference value. These recommendations are based on the best available scientific knowledge of the daily energy or nutrients needed for good health. In 2014, the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses determined that the NRV-R for selenium is 60 µg [
41]. In contrast, in Annex XIII of Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of October 25, 2011, on providing food information to consumers, the NRV-R is 55 μg [
40].
Our calculations show that raw meat without skin covers the NRV-R (60 μg) of the consumer (regardless of gender) at 29% and with skin at 22% (
Table 3). Goose breast meat subjected to various heat processing covers NRV-R in the 33.3-44.8% range, although OCR without skin and grilled with skin cover the highest percentage (44.8 vs. 44.5%).
In summary, in our opinion, goose meat, both with and without skin, heat processed in a 100g portion can be part of a varied diet for adults. Placing information on the label of food products regarding the value of minerals is voluntary for food manufacturers, so it seems reasonable to encourage them to do so. Then, the consumers can consciously include these compounds in their diet, and the products will thus become competitive in a wide assortment.