Biofloc technology (BFT) has emerged as a transformative approach in aquaculture, offering sustainable solutions to traditional farming challenges. This review examines the significant achievements of BFT implementation and explores future directions for development. The technology has demonstrated remarkable success in water conservation, feed efficiency improvement, and disease prevention while supporting substantial increases in production intensity. Current research indicates promising developments in automation, energy efficiency, and species diversification. However, challenges remain in standardization, operational costs, and technical expertise requirements. This review synthesizes current knowledge and provides insights into future research priorities and commercial applications of biofloc technology in aquaculture.
Biofloc technology represents a paradigm shift in aquaculture production systems, fundamentally altering approaches to water quality management and nutrition provision. Since its inception in the 1970s at the French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (IFREMER), BFT has evolved from an experimental concept to a commercially viable production system (Emerenciano et al., 2017). The technology's core principle involves manipulating microbial communities to create a balanced ecosystem that simultaneously maintains water quality and provides supplementary nutrition to cultured organisms.
Current Achievements
Water Management and Environmental
Impact Biofloc technology has revolutionized water management in aquaculture through dramatic reductions in water exchange requirements. Research has demonstrated water consumption reductions of up to 90% compared to traditional systems, while maintaining optimal water quality parameters (Yu et al., 2023). This achievement has particular significance in regions facing water scarcity and environmental regulations regarding effluent discharge.
Nutritional Efficiency
The nutritional benefits of biofloc systems have been well-documented through extensive research. Studies indicate that biofloc can contribute 20-30% of the protein requirements for species such as tilapia, significantly reducing feed costs and dependency on fishmeal (Khanjani et al., 2022). The microbial protein produced within biofloc systems has shown high digestibility and beneficial effects on growth performance across multiple species.
Disease Prevention and Health Management
Implementation of biofloc technology has demonstrated significant improvements in disease resistance and overall health of cultured organisms. The presence of beneficial bacterial communities in biofloc systems creates a protective environment that competitively excludes pathogenic organisms (Panigrahi et al., 2019). This natural disease prevention mechanism has reduced the need for therapeutic treatments and antibiotics in aquaculture production.
Commercial Implementation
Successful commercial applications of biofloc technology have been documented across various geographical regions and production scales. Notable achievements include production rates of 20-25 tons/ha/year in intensive shrimp farming operations, significantly exceeding traditional production methods (Khanjani et al., 2024).
Future Prospects
Technological Integration
The future of biofloc technology lies in its integration with advanced monitoring and control systems. Development of IoT-based solutions and real-time monitoring systems presents opportunities for improved system management and operational efficiency. Research is currently focused on creating intelligent systems that can automatically adjust parameters based on real-time data analysis.
Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
Addressing energy consumption remains a primary focus for future development. Current research trends indicate promising developments in renewable energy integration and improved aeration system efficiency. The implementation of solar power systems and energy-efficient mixing technologies may significantly reduce operational costs.
Species Diversification While biofloc technology has proven successful with certain species, particularly tilapia and shrimp, ongoing research aims to expand its application to other commercially important species. This diversification requires understanding species-specific requirements and optimizing biofloc systems accordingly.
Microbial Management
An advanced understanding of microbial community dynamics represents a crucial area for future development. Research focuses on identifying and managing beneficial bacterial populations to optimize system performance and stability (Santos et al., 2019). This includes the development of specialized probiotics and carbon sources tailored to specific production systems.
Challenges and Research Needs
Several challenges require attention for the continued advancement of biofloc technology. These include high initial investment costs, energy requirements, and the need for skilled personnel. Additionally, standardization of operational protocols and system optimization for different species and environmental conditions remains crucial for widespread adoption.
Conclusion
Biofloc technology has demonstrated significant achievements in sustainable aquaculture production, particularly in water conservation, feed efficiency, and disease prevention. Future developments in automation, energy efficiency, and microbial management promise to enhance its commercial viability further. Continued research and development efforts focused on addressing current challenges will be crucial for realizing the full potential of this technology in global aquaculture production.
References
Ahmad, I., Babitha Rani, A.M., Verma, A.K., & Maqsood, M. (2017). Biofloc technology: An emerging avenue in aquatic animal healthcare and nutrition. Aquaculture International, 25:1215-1226.
Emerenciano, M.G., Martínez-Córdova, L.R., Martínez-Porchas, M., & Miranda-Baeza, A. (2017). Biofloc technology (BFT): A tool for water quality management in aquaculture. Water Quality, 5:92-109.
Khanjani, M.H., Sharifinia, M., & Emerenciano, M.G. (2024). Biofloc Technology (BFT) in Aquaculture: What Goes Right, What Goes Wrong? A Scientific-Based Snapshot. Aquaculture Nutrition.
Yu, Y.B., Choi, J.H., Lee, J.H., Jo, A.H., Lee, K.M., & Kim, J.H. (2023). Biofloc technology in fish aquaculture: A review. Antioxidants, 12(2):398.
Panigrahi, A., et al. (2019). Training manual on Biofloc technology for nursery and growout aquaculture. CIBA TM series, 15:172.
Khanjani, M.H., Mohammadi, A., & Emerenciano, M.G. (2022). Microorganisms in biofloc aquaculture system. Aquaculture Reports, 26:101300.
Abakari, G., Luo, G., & Kombat, E.O. (2021). Dynamics of nitrogenous compounds and their control in biofloc technology (BFT) systems: A review. Aquaculture and Fisheries, 6(5):441-447.
Santos, N.B., Furtado, P.S., César, D.E., & Wasielesky, W. (2019). Assessment of the nitrification process in a culture of pacific white shrimp, using artificial substrate and bacterial inoculum in a biofloc technology system (BFT). Ciência Rural, 49(6):e20180306.
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