Microbial Interactions, Growth, and Health of Aquatic Species in Biofloc Systems

Abstract

Biofloc technology involves the manipulation of the culture system’s carbon: nitrogen ratio to promote bacterial community growth to convert toxic nitrogenous wastes and organics into functional microbial protein; this protein can then be used as a food source and mediate water quality. Biofloc systems have several advantages, which include improved biosecurity, feed conversion, water use efficiency, and nutrient processing. Analyzing the nutritional value and the relationship between high production of aquacultural practices using biofloc is essential. Many studies have demonstrated that biofloc increases the growth of aquatic species by acting as a food source or providing bioactive compounds. Other than this, the beneficial micro-organisms in biofloc systems contain compounds such as organic acids that could resist the growth of pathogenic microbes. They will also serve as a natural probiotic and increase the immunity and survival of fish and shrimp. This technology could be useful for further integration within many aspects of aquaculture production when microbial interactions are considered. However, future studies must fully understand the principles and mechanisms behind the benefits of interactions between biofloc and cultured fish and crustacean species.

Keywords

• bacterial communities
• probiotics
• recirculating aquaculture systems