Application of Biofloc technology in shrimp aquaculture: A review on current practices, challenges, and future perspectives
Benedict Terkula Iber, Ikyo Chiaaondo Benjamin, Mohd Nazli Mohd Nor, Siti Rozaimah Sheikh Abdullah, Muhammad Syahlan Bin Shafie, Hidayah Manan, Mohd Hanapiah Abdullah, Nor Azman Kasan
Abstract
There are growing concerns on the dangerous footprints of shrimp aquaculture with stringent global regulatory policies on its operation eminent. Traditional aquaculture pays no attention to environmental degradation, water pollution, and overexploitation of natural resources. Biofloc technology (BFT) is a self-sustaining system that improves shrimp production while addressing challenges of the conventional systems. The technology creates a self-sustaining ecosystem, using microbial communities to transform waste into biofloc. This activity maintains water quality while the nutrient-rich biofloc serves as natural food source for shrimp, thereby decreasing dependence on external feed inputs. Maintenance of carbon-to-nitrogen (C: N) ratio for growth and proliferation of heterotrophic bacteria forms the hallmark of the operational principle of the system. Many studies have shown improved growth rate, feed conversion ratio (FCR), feed conversion efficiency (FCE) overall health of shrimp reared under BFT. The zero water exchange advantage of the system makes it bio-secured with reduced incidence of disease. Nevertheless, challenges like high initial costs, alternative carbon sources, market acceptability, system standardization and the complexity of managing microbial communities stands in the way of its widescale adoption. Ongoing research aim to optimize BFT systems via advanced monitoring technologies, exploration of low-cost alternative carbon sources and integration with alternative protein sources and probiotics. In this direction, China, Turkey, Brazil, India and Israel have featured prominently in advancing these technologies. This review synthesizes current practices, challenges, and future perspectives of BFT in shrimp aquaculture, highlighting its potential to enhance sustainability and align with global food security goals. • BFT recycles waste into natural feed, reducing external feed dependency in shrimp farming. • BFT boosts shrimp growth, feed efficiency, and water quality with C ratio control. • BFT enhances biosecurity by lowering pathogen risks and reducing water exchange needs. • Research focuses on optimizing BFT to address high costs and microbial management issues.