A Solution for Sustainable Utilization of Aquaculture Waste: A Comprehensive Review of Biofloc Technology and Aquamimicry

Abstract

Biofloc technology (BFT) is gaining traction as a strategic aquaculture tool for boosting feed conversions, biosecurity, and wastewater recycling. The significant aspect of BFT is aquaculture with highest stocking density and minimal water exchange. It not only improves the water quality of a system by removing inorganic nitrogen from wastewater but also serves as a suitable feed supplement and probiotic source for cultured species. This technology is commonly used for shrimp and tilapia culture and can be used for both semi-intensive and intensive culture systems. Biofloc, when combined with formulated diets, forms a balanced food chain that improves growth performance. Nutrients in this system are continuously recycled and reused and form an efficient alternative system in aquaculture. In addition to the reduction in water exchange, it is also considered as a bio-security measure, since it prevents entry of disease from outside sources. Aquamimicry is an innovative concept that simulates natural estuarine conditions by developing copepods that act as supplementary nutrition especially for shrimp culture. The review highlights the process, significance, and development of BFT, its microbial interactions, nutritional value, transition from biofloc to copefloc, and concept of aquamimicry to sustainably improve aquaculture production.

Aquamimicry system: a sutiable strategy for shrimp aquaculture – a review

“…This method is based on the hypothesis that the shrimp farming practices can be more sustainable by mimicking the natural aquatic environment in the aquaculture condition. This system is a balanced and s costeffective approach based on the simulation of natural conditions by nourishing shrimps with zooplanktons, and using beneficial bacteria to improve water quality (Romano, 2017;Nisar et al, 2022). The success of this method is dependents on the use of carbon sources such as rice bran, soybean, and wheat meals combined with the application of probiotics that pronouncedly enhance the bloom of zooplanktons.…”

“…Thus, in the presence of the live foods, especially copepods that rich in long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA), minerals, trace elements, pigments, and pool of free amino acids (e.g., taurine) may improve feed efficiency, and enhance the shrimps' immunocompetence (Conceição et al, 2010;Biesebeke, 2018;Butto and Haller, 2016). In addition, in aquamimicry method, the addition of fermented carbon sources as well as probiotics can promote water quality, and facilitate the recycling of nitrogenous metabolites in the system (Panigrahi et al, 2019;Deepak et al, 2020;Nisar et al, 2022). The aquamimicry technique by creating a synbiotic relation between fermented carbon sources derivatives (e.g., oligosaccharides) and probiotics (e.g., Bacillus species), reduces the application of therapeutics, and contributes to green aquaculture (Butto and Haller, 2016;Biesebeke, 2018;Deepak et al, 2020;Santhanam et al, 2020;Zeng et al, 2020).…”

“…1) The inclusion of a carbon source to the aquamimicry system has nothing to do with the amount of nitrogen, but in the BFT the management of C: N ratio requires experience and should be considered at least above 10 to stimulate the activity HTB Sharifinia, 2020, 2022;Nisar et al, 2022),…”

“…Aquamimicry technique can simulate natural condition for shrimp farming by stimulating the microbial growth, flourishing phyto-and zooplankton populations, especially copepods, that can be used as complementary foods and can provide in situ water quality maintenance (Romano, 2017). This technique mimics the natural environment, creates environmental stability, and reduces the cost of feeding (Panigrahi et al, 2019;Deepak et al, 2020;Nisar et al, 2022). The information regarding the aquamimicry method, its benefits, or how its comparison with the BFT is scarce.…”

Preparation, Characterization, and Cytoprotective Effects on HUVECs of Fourteen Novel Angiotensin-I-Converting Enzyme Inhibitory Peptides From Protein Hydrolysate of Tuna Processing By-Products

“…However, ~50% of these catches are generated as by-products in the manufacturing process ( 2 – 4 ), and those by-products create burdensome disposal problems and bring serious environmental pollution problems ( 5 – 7 ). Therefore, researchers keep trying to establish high-value utilization methods for producing useful marketable products using functional components in fish by-products ( 8 – 12 ). Recently, novel bioprocessing technologies have been developed for utilizing these fish by-product proteins to prepare active peptides for commercial use ( 3 , 13 – 17 ).…”