Effect of Hydroponic Fodder Supplementation on Physicochemical Properties and Nutritional Profile of Bull Meat

Hydroponic fodder production can be applied to a wide range of forage crops, optimizing the use of water, arable land, and other resources in a sustainable manner. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of hydroponically sprouted seeds on bull meat quality. Wheat, barley, alfalfa, and peas were germinated in a hydroponic system for seven days, and dairy–meat crossbred bulls were fed these sprouts for 18 months. The chemical composition of the sprouted seeds, including proteins, fats, fiber, mineral elements, and amino and fatty acids, was analyzed. Samples of the Longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle were collected from the carcasses for comprehensive meat quality assessment. The study revealed that while sprouted grains did not significantly alter the chemical composition of meat, they influenced its physical characteristics, depending on the type of grain. Meat from bulls fed sprouted alfalfa seeds was significantly lighter in color and contained less water. The inclusion of sprouted grains also positively affected the amino acid and fatty acid profiles. The content of undesirable saturated fatty acids was 13.78–15.70% lower compared with meat from the control group. Furthermore, meat from bulls receiving sprouted alfalfa seeds contained 2.86% more essential amino acids, while meat from bulls fed sprouted peas contained 0.58% more than the control. Overall, the addition of sprouted grains enhanced the biological value of beef protein, with alfalfa seeds demonstrating the greatest effect on protein integrity indicators.