Biofloc technology as a promising tool to improve aquaculture production

Abstract

Given that the expansion of the aquaculture industry is associated with increased environmental impact and its strong dependence on fishmeal in the diet, the use of biofloc technology can reduce these problems. This technology absorbs inorganic nitrogen from aquaculture wastewater and improves water quality as well as produces microbial protein that is directly used as a suitable feed supplement for aquatic animals. Furthermore, this technology reduces the feed conversion ratio and subsequent production cost. Biofloc is available to aquatic animals throughout the day and provides the necessary nutrients, fatty acids and minerals. Biofloc along with formulated diets provides a complete food chain for aquatic animals’ growth and thus improves growth performance. Since feed constitutes a major part of the aquaculture cost, having accurate information about biofloc system in aquatic animals’ nutrition can be beneficial and helpful. Compared to traditional aquaculture techniques, biofloc technology provides a more sustainable approach with minimal water exchange along with reduced feed intake and transforms it into a low‐cost sustainable technology for sustainable aquaculture development. Overall, this study highlights the significance of developing biofloc technology to improve aquaculture production and could be an alternative system for cultivation of important commercial species in aquaculture.

Use of biofloc technology in shrimp aquaculture: a comprehensive review, with emphasis on the last decade

“…Factors such as nutrition priority, the ability of farmed animals to ingest and digest microbial biofloc, and biofloc composition, density and particle size should be carefully analysed prior to the use of bioflocs as a feed source (Ekasari et al . 2014b; Khanjani & Sharifinia 2020). It has been found, for instance, that flocs with particle size of >100–<48 µm are favourable for white shrimp L. vannamei , due to their higher nutritional value (Ekasari et al .…”

“…2009; De Schryver et al . 2010; Khanjani & Sharifinia 2020). In addition, microbial probiotics include viable microbial cells, which can enhance growth, intestinal digestive enzymes, feed digestion and absorption, and immune response, in addition to inhibiting pathogenic microorganisms (Panigrahi et al .…”

“…Pathogenic bacteria, such as Vibrio , Aeromonas and Pseudomonas, can heavily accumulate in BFT‐based systems and cause pathogenicity through increasing or decreasing the concentrations of suspended solids (Khanjani & Sharifinia 2020). Bacterial diseases, such as Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS), (currently known as Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease (AHPND)) caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus, have also been reported in shrimp farms in different parts of the world (Avnimelech 2015).…”

“…2017; Pacheco‐Vega et al . 2018; Khanjani & Sharifinia 2020). In addition, when white shrimp were reared in biofloc environment and then challenged with pathogenic V. Harvey , the immune system was able to eliminate the pathogen and avoid disease occurrence (Aguilera‐Rivera et al .…”

Yucca schidigera Usage for Healthy Aquatic Animals: Potential Roles for Sustainability

“…Recently, aquaculture activity has become massively developed and a safe and unique choice to produce cheap and nutritious seafood products as animal protein sources [ 19 , 20 ]. In this regard, intensive systems are applied to produce the maximum possible amounts of aquatic biomass per unit of water resources [ 21 ]. Nevertheless, the intensification of production induces side effects on aquatic animals’ performances due to the high stocking capacity, ammonia emissions, leftover feed, lack of dissolved oxygen, feces, and organic materials [ 20 , 22 ].…”