Impacts of Different Cultivation Modes on Bullfrog Quality: Comparative Advantages of Ecological Versus Industrial Cultured Bullfrog

ABSTRACT The bullfrog ( Rana catesbeiana ) is a popular and economically valuable amphibious product. Its nutrition, flavor, and dietary safety are of significant importance to consumers, but could be affected by different farming modes (traditional, industrial, and ecological modes). It is critical to compare the bullfrogs cultured under different cultivation modes to determine the most economically viable system that yields superior‐quality products. The results showed that bullfrogs from all three farming modes exhibited high protein content (17.12–19.92 g/100 g ww) and low‐fat content (1.76–1.67 g/100 g ww). Notably, the muscle of bullfrogs from all three modes met the criteria for ideal amino acid profiles. The ecologically farmed bullfrogs exhibited the highest muscle quality, with an essential amino acid to total amino acid (EAAs/TAAs) ratio of 46.87% and an essential amino acid to non‐essential amino acid (EAAs/NEAAs) ratio of 88.20%. The polyunsaturated fatty acid to saturated fatty acid ratio (PUFAs/SFAs) indicated that the industrial (1.01) and ecological (1.08) farming modes were healthier than the traditional mode (0.84). Additionally, bullfrogs from the ecological farming mode exhibited the lowest concentrations of off‐flavor compounds (GSM: 0.39 ± 0.04 ng/g ww, MIB: 0.45 ± 0.02 ng/g ww). Industrial farming also suppressed the accumulation of these off‐flavor substances in bullfrogs. Regarding dietary safety, the levels of the five heavy metals in bullfrog muscle were below regulatory limits, except for chromium (Cr) with a dietary hazard index (HI) < 1. Five classes of antibiotics (sulfonamides, quinolones, tetracyclines, macrolides, and chloramphenicol) were detected in bullfrogs from different modes, with total concentrations of 34.55, 43.06, and 27.33 ng/g dw, respectively, posing no significant dietary risks. Using a comprehensive four‐dimensional evaluation system (nutrition, safety, flavor, and economics), the advantages of the three farming modes were analyzed from both producer and consumer perspectives. The findings further confirmed that ecologically farmed bullfrogs exhibit superior quality, while industrial farming provided a more economical option without significantly compromising bullfrog quality.