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Levels of a total ammonia–nitrogen (TAN), b nitrite-N (NO2-N) and c nitrate-N (NO3-N) in the rearing water of freshwater tilapia with and without biofloc. Asterisk at each time point indicates significant difference at p < 0.05
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The use of sweet potato, Ipomoea batatas flour as a carbon source for biofloc production in freshwater culture of tilapia, Oreochromis sp., was evaluated in terms of its effects on water quality, microbial population and fish yield. The experiment was conducted using 20 L glass aquaria with two sources of carbon, namely, wheat flour and sweet potat...
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The utilization of appropriate carbon sources will have a good impact on the application of biofloc technology in aquaculture. This study aims to determine the effect on adding the different carbon sources for growth and survival rate of tilapia fries (Oreochromis niloticus). The fries were kept by the densities 30 fries/tank. This study used a com...
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... About 0.5 L of Chlorella sp. obtained from El-Max hatchery at a density of about 10 8 cells ml −1 was added to each tank, as suggested by (Caipang et al. 2015a(Caipang et al. , 2015b, followed by addition of 300 ml of Lactobacillus plantarum AH solution (10 7 cell ml −1 ), cultured in de Man, Rogosa and Sharpe (MRS) (Oxoid, England) broth medium overnight (Komara et al. 2022). ...
The study examines the impact of integrated biofloc technology (BFT), different salinity levels, and their combined effects over 90 days on various physiological parameters. The investigation includes growth performance and feed utilization, water quality, the chemical composition of biofloc and fish, digestive enzymes, reproductive performance, stress and biochemical indicators, and antioxidant-immune responses in red tilapia (Oreochromis spp.) broodstock. The fish were initially weighed (males: n = 270; 104 ± 0.96 g; females: n = 270; 93.2 ± 0.66 g) and subsequently divided into 12 treatment groups (6 for males and 6 for females) spread across 36 separate tanks (3 tanks per treatment; 45 fish per treatment; 15 fish/tank). The treatments involved three salinity levels (18, 28, and 36 ppt) in both clear water (CW) and BFT systems. The outcomes demonstrated that fish in the 36 ppt salinity with BFT treatment demonstrated significant improvements (P < 0.05) in growth parameters (final body weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio). The condition factor in BFT groups increased in all salinity situations. The survival rates of broodstock were consistently high in all experimental conditions The study found that BFT and salinity significantly impacted (P < 0.05) whole body contents (moisture, protein, lipid, and ash) in both males and females. Water quality parameters showed variations between BFT and CW, with notable impacts (P < 0.05) on dissolved oxygen and pH. The BFT and salinity influenced digestive enzyme activities (protease, amylase, and lipase) and reproductive performance (males) and the 36 ppt salinity with BFT recorded the highest values. The hemato-biochemical and antioxidant-immune responses were also impacted by BFT and salinity exposure. The study highlights the potential benefits of incorporating BFT into red tilapia aquaculture systems, particularly in optimizing growth, health, and reproductive performance under various salinity conditions, which can enhance sustainable intensification, disease control, and environmental stewardship.
... This could have an effect on the bacterial populations that are closely associated with the flocs. Caipang et al. (2015) reported that the total heterotrophic bacterial populations were significantly higher in the biofloc groups than the control due to the addition of sweet potato as carbon source and earlier study was carried out by using wheat and corn flour as carbon sources for biofloc production in freshwater tilapia culture. Manan et al. (2017) studied that Aeromonas and Pseudomonas species were identified as heterotrophic bacteria from their experiment and organic compounds were used as the source of energy by heterotrophic bacteria derived from the organic matter. ...
A ccording to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), aquaculture has grown faster and its expansion aimed at meeting the increase of world fish demand, and preserving natural fish stocks. Currently, to produce fish in quantity and quality requires reduction of the environmental impact from aquaculture, through the improvement of culture systems. Disease is the major factor affecting the development and expansion in aquaculture. Losses due to disease in shrimp farming are high. Various approaches to minimize the impact of disease on production are possible. Another approach to keep the pathogen pressure low is polyculture of shrimp and finfish. This practice makes shrimp farming more sustainable by reducing the environmental impact and the incidence of shrimp disease. Antimicrobial peptides in the fish skin kill shrimp pathogens, keeping pathogen pressure of bacteria and viruses low. In polyculture, shrimps can eat tilapia faeces and unused fish feed, while tilapia filter phytoplankton, reducing the risk of low dissolved oxygen levels at night. In addition, shrimp bioturbation at the pond bottom returns nutrients to the water column, enhancing phytoplankton production and consequently the natural feed available for the tilapia. Biofloc technology (BFT) is one of the most applicable and promising systems for sustainable aquaculture development. This technology is essentially based on the recycling of nutrients via microorganisms, primarily (i) heterotrophic bacteria, which convert nitrogen compounds into microbial biomass, in addition to serves as a source of food for aquatic organisms, and (ii) chemoautotrophic bacteria, which convert ammonia to nitrite and nitrate. ABSTRACT Aquaculture, biofloc, fisheries, polyculture, sustainability KEY WORDS: Open Access
... Biofloc produced by complex carbohydrates such as millet flour, multigrain flour and molasses has revealed higher essential amino acid levels (arginine, methionine and lysine) in dry floc compared to other treatments and the control in L. vannamei culture tanks .The utilization of different carbohydrate sources significantly influenced tilapia's growth performance and physiological responses (Caipang et al., 2015;Luo et al., 2016;Mansour & Esteban, 2017;Zhang et al., 2015). In another study, molasses-induced biofloc dried powder collected from P. monodon culture pond showed a higher A/E ratio of phenylalanine and tryptophan than fish meal powder (Promthale et al., 2019). ...
Biofloc technology (BFT) has gained popularity recently as the aquaculture industry faces significant economic losses due to water pollution creating various pathogens. Many bacterial, viral and fungal diseases in fish cause a decrease in annual world fish production. Therefore, owing to a growing demand for healthy fish, zero‐water exchange is widely practiced in fish and shellfish production. It minimizes the release of aquaculture wastewater into the aquatic ecosystem, which contains nutrients, organic matter and pathogens. It uses a minimal amount of land, which provides an impartial cost–benefit ratio to maintain socio‐economic sustainability. Besides sustainability, fish cultured in the BFT have also expressed better health status after being challenged by different pathogens. However, this review explores the use of BFT as a sustainable approach to wastewater utilization and fish and shellfish production. Apart from this, the review highlights the potential of BFT to enhance fish production in aquaculture systems and discusses various factors that affect the performance of systems, such as carbon‐to‐nitrogen ratios, aeration and the use of probiotics. It also investigates the role of biofloc in improving water quality, fish and shellfish health prophylactic properties, and its effect on gut microflora. The review further examines the economic feasibility of BFT and discusses about the cost‐effectiveness of implementing systems and the potential for generating additional revenue through the sale of bioflocs as a value‐added product. Overall, this review highlights the potential of BFT as a sustainable solution for wastewater utilization and increasing fish production. It provides valuable insights into the factors affecting the performance of BFT systems and suggests areas for further research and development in this field.
... The speed at which carbon is available allows us to design fertilization strategies using simple or complex carbohydrates, or a mixture of both (Rocha et al., 2021;Romano et al., 2018;Serra et al., 2015). The effectiveness in reducing ammonia levels has been observed in different studies; however, this condition has not always implied improved growth performance (Caipang et al., 2015;Ezhilarasi et al., 2019). This effect is related to the predominance of one microorganism over another (Silva et al., 2017), modifying the composition of the microbial community present in the culture medium and in the digestive tract of fish Wei et al., 2016). ...
... In grow-out stage, tilapias can be fed once a day though protein retention was more efficient from two feeding frequencies . Feeding frequency results can be influenced by the amount of feed, as observed for tilapia in a conventional system, resulting in FCR around 1:1 (Huang et al., 2015). A similar trend was observed during the L. vannamei nursery in BFT, although the use of longer feeding intervals favors good performance, more frequent feedings resulted in FCR, close to ideal (Peixoto et al., 2018;Xu et al., 2020). ...
... A similar trend was observed during the L. vannamei nursery in BFT, although the use of longer feeding intervals favors good performance, more frequent feedings resulted in FCR, close to ideal (Peixoto et al., 2018;Xu et al., 2020). Frequency is not an isolated aspect of food management, and is influenced by the feeding rate and nutritional value of the food (Huang et al., 2015;Day, Salie, & Stander, 2016). The divergent results reported above might be due to the experiment scale and the associated feeding conditions such as feed quantity and quality, and biofloc composition. ...
The growth of aquaculture demands intense consumption of formulated foods, scarce natural resources such as water and land. The increase in aquaculture production needs to be sustainable in several aspects of the activity, including the use of more sustainable farming systems that provide reduced water demand, less space dependence for increased production, and availability of complementary natural food. In this perspective, the biofloc system (BFT), presents itself as a more friendly cultivation technology as a way to mitigate some impacts of aquaculture production. Much research has been carried out, addressing different aspects important to the production of fish in BFT. In this review, we address how stocking density, carbon sources and carbon nitrogen ration (C/N) affect animal performance and the nutritional value of bioflocs; the use of microbial aggregates as “in situ” and “ex situ” food and the benefits in feed conversion, and their influence on the immune system and disease resistance.
... Feed and carbon sources are the two principal inputs in BFT-based system. Likewise, source and type of carbon also influence the water quality, production of biofloc which in turn influence the growth and survival of the fish and it is preferred to use low-cost, non-conventional agro-industrial products as carbon source (Caipang et al., 2015). Tuber crops such as tapioca (Ahmad et al., 2016(Ahmad et al., , 2019, sweet potato (Caipang et al., 2015) and enzyme-hydrolysed cassava dregs (Shang et al., 2018) were found suitable as source of carbon in maintaining biofloc-based culture of finfish. ...
... Likewise, source and type of carbon also influence the water quality, production of biofloc which in turn influence the growth and survival of the fish and it is preferred to use low-cost, non-conventional agro-industrial products as carbon source (Caipang et al., 2015). Tuber crops such as tapioca (Ahmad et al., 2016(Ahmad et al., , 2019, sweet potato (Caipang et al., 2015) and enzyme-hydrolysed cassava dregs (Shang et al., 2018) were found suitable as source of carbon in maintaining biofloc-based culture of finfish. Hence, in the present study, other tubers, that is potato and yam, were selected as source of carbon to know their potential in the development of biofloc for milkfish rearing. ...
An experimental trial was conducted for 90 days to evaluate the effect of different carbon sources viz. yam and potato on growth performance of milkfish (Chanos chanos) in biofloc‐based system. Milkfish fry (average body weight of 0.66 ± 0.01 g) was stocked in biofloc treatments, yam‐based biofloc (BFY) and potato‐based biofloc (BFP), and clear water (CW) as control in triplicates. Milkfish reared in biofloc‐based units obtained significantly better (p < 0.05) performance in terms of growth, digestive enzyme activity and survival when compared to clear water control. Among the biofloc‐based treatments, the highest average body weight (11.62 ± 0.24 g), specific growth rate (3.21 ± 0.01% day⁻¹), percentage weight gain (1688.10 ± 19.05) and survival (90.83 ± 2.01%) were found in BFY group. Similarly, the essential amino acid and non‐essential amino acid contents of biofloc and experimental fish were higher in BFY as compared to BFP. Additionally, the highest level of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and total n‐6 and n‐3 PUFA were found higher in BFY. Bacterial composition analysis showed that BFY treatment groups had a more diverse bacterial community than those with BFP treatment groups. This study demonstrated that biofloc‐based culture system is suitable for rearing of C. chanos fry and the most preferable type of carbon source is found to be Yam.
... The uneaten feed and faecal matter were converted into microbial protein by heterotrophic bacteria with the addition of carbon source and vigorous aeration, which in turn maintain the carbon/ nitrogen (C/N) ratio at adequate level (10-20:1) in the culture system. In the biofloc system, various carbon sources (wheat flour, cornflour, tapioca flour, soy flour, rice flour, rice bran, sweet potato, jaggery, molasses and distillery spent wash) were used for floc production and maintenance (Antonyraj, 2016;Avnimelech et al., 1992;Burford et al., 2004;Caipang et al., 2015;Yuvarajan et al., 2018). For economically feasible biofloc systems, the selected carbon source should be cost-effective and easily available in the market (Avnimelech, 2007). ...
The present study endeavoured to investigate the efficacy of biofloc technology (BFT) and clear water system (CWS) on nursery rearing of genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT). The study used outdoor lined pond (0.01 ha), in duplicate, to explore the bacterial community in culture water and gut flora of GIFT and floc characteristics of both systems. Each pond was stocked with 5,000 numbers (0.2 ± 0.02 g/fish) of GIFT fry and reared for 30 days. Biofloc, with carbon: nitrogen ratio of 10:1, was developed and maintained using distillery spent wash (DSW) as organic carbon source and provided with intensive aeration. Total heterotrophic bacteria (THB), Vibrio and Bacillus count of culture water and gut samples were significantly (p < .05) differed between BFT and CWS. Floc volume, size, settling velocity, porosity and floc volume index were documented from BFT system. Plankton count was significantly differed (p < .05) between the BFT and CWS. BFT showed pleiotropic beneficial effect on rearing medium and species health through colonization of probiotic heterotrophic bacteria and elimination of pathogenic bacteria in the gut. Novelty of floc characteristics measured in the present study would help to form the base clue for the scientific understanding of biofloc system which paves to promote the BFT as sustainable aquaculture practice.
... Thus, the current challenge for the development of responsible aquaculture is based in efficient culture systems, which optimize the use of water and nutrients, promoting the least environmental impact possible (Diana et al. 2013). Biofloc technology (BFT) allows fish and shrimp culture in zero or minimal water exchange rate, maintaining the water quality through the growth of heterotrophic bacteria, which convert ammonia in microbial biomass by adding a supplementary carbon source and continuous aeration (Avnimelech 2007;Caipang et al. 2015;Crab et al. 2012). ...
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of feeding frequency on water quality, growth performance, feed efficiency, and hematological parameters of Nile tilapia reared in biofloc technology (BFT) over a period of 45 days. Fish (n = 6,480; 5.36 ± 1.45 g) were randomly distributed in nine outdoor circular tanks (9,000 L) with individual air-water lift by supplementary aeration and hand-fed with commercial diet (32% crude protein) at 5-3% of biomass, following the respective feeding frequencies: two times per day, four times per day, and six times per day. The experimental design was completely randomized with three treatments and three replicates. Feeding frequency at four times per day decreased rotifer density and improved (P < .05) the weight gain and protein efficiency ratio. No significant differences were observed in hematological parameters. Water quality remained within recommended ranges for tilapia culture. Turbidity and floc volume showed significant differences (P < .05) among treatments, with the greatest concentrations at six times per day. Feeding frequency at four times per day promoted the best growth and feed efficiency responses in Nile tilapia (5 - 20 g)cultured in BFT.
... It should be noted that the water quality parameters fluctuate throughout this period of biofloc establishment and the various water quality parameters must be strictly monitored to ensure that these levels are within the optimum range for the rearing of either fish or crustaceans. Farfantepenaeus paulensis The data were modified from Caipang et al. (2015) and Rathore et al. (2016). ...
The pressures brought about by the increase in human population resulted in the rapid expansion of the food production industries including aquaculture to provide the nutritional requirements of the growing population. As aquaculture operations intensify, there is also an urgent need to preserve the environment; hence, all activities must be carried out in a sustainable way. The use of the biofloc technology (BFT) in aquaculture addresses these issues on restrictions on the usage of water and land as well as matters concerning sustainability of the production. BFT is a technique that maintains optimum water quality in the aquaculture system by manipulating the carbon and nitrogen ratios in the system. This optimum ratio favors the growth of heterotrophic bacteria that contribute in maintaining good water quality and at the same time provide sources of natural food for the cultured fish or crustaceans. In this review, the mechanisms of the biofloc technology particularly in the production of tilapia in freshwater systems are discussed. Moreover, some of the intrinsic advantages of this technology are highlighted in the context of developing and supporting backyard aquaculture of freshwater tilapias as a means of providing the food demands of the population in rural communities and as source of income for the marginalized small-scale fish farmers.
... The BFT is achievable by using different types of organic carbon. Utilization of low-value carbohydrates or agro-industrial by-products for the production of biofloc can further reduce the cost of production in aquaculture by converting these agro-industrial wastes into the nutritious feed (Caipang et al. 2015, Ahmad et al. 2017. However, the effect of these unconventional carbon sources on the physiological response of the cultured organism is very much needed. ...
A 45-day experiment was conducted to assess the immuno-physiological response of Litopenaeus vannamei in oil palm kernel meal based biofloc systems. L. vannamei of average weight (0.82±0.02 g) were stocked in tanks at a stocking density of 300 PL/m 3. Biofloc-based treatment obtained significantly better growth performance at the end of the experimental period. The stress parameters like SOD, CAT, LDH and GST were considerably lower in biofloc-based treatment as compared to the control. The oil palm based biofloc system showed lower AST and ALT values than the clear water control. The shrimp from biofloc treatment possessed significantly higher immune status as compared to control regarding the prophenol oxidase (proPO) activity. Biofloc treatment showed higher relative survival percentages than control. It indicates that oil palm kernel meal can be used as a potential carbon source for biofloc based shrimp culture.
... Wang et al (2016) found that a combination of different carbon sources (molasses 60% + corn flour 20% + wheat bran 20%) achieved better enzymatic activity and growth performance in L. vannamei juveniles under biofloc system. Despite that sweet potato resulted in lower total ammonia-nitrogen (TAN), NO 2 , NO 3 in a study of Caipang et al (2015), a better feed conversion ratio (FCR) was noticed for tilapia reared under wheat flour treatment. Different carbon sources; molasses, sugar or cassava starch had no influence on tilapia growth performance cultured under biofloc systems. ...
Four carbon sources of different complexity (glucose, starch, molasses and cellulose) were evaluated for their effects on the integrity of biofloc system. The experiment lasted for 30 days where 12 circular plastic tanks (55 L) were used as experimental units for different treatments in triplicate. Each tank was stocked with 10 Nile tilapia fingerlings with average body weight of 9.14±0.06 g corresponding to the densities of 1.66 kg m-3 and were aerated by air stones. Dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, temperature, total ammonia-nitrogen (TAN), nitrite, water alkalinity, total suspended solids (TSS) and floc volume values in the rearing tanks were within normal limits for fish culture. Cellulose treatment showed significantly the highest average final body weight and the best feed conversion ratio (FCR). Complexity of carbon sources had no effect on the fatty acids (FA) profile. Cellulose recorded the lowest zooplankton count with no significant differences among treatments. Rotifers dominated the zooplankton over the experiment time with species identified like Philodina and Lecane bulla species. It could be concluded that cellulose may be considered as efficient carbon source in terms of water parameters stability and fish growth performance under biofloc system conditions.
