Biofloc Technology Enhances Aquaculture System Efficiency and Fish Growth

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at the University of Agriculture in Faisalabad, Pakistan, have made significant findings in a new report on the effects of biofloc technology on aquaculture systems. The study focused on the use of three different carbon sources - corn flour, molasses, and starch - in biofloc systems to evaluate their impact on water quality, growth performance, and biochemical indices of Nile tilapia.

Key Takeaways:

  • The use of molasses as a carbon source in biofloc systems resulted in significantly improved growth performance, weight gain, and survival rate of Nile tilapia compared to the control group.
  • The supplementation of biofloc systems with molasses and starch as carbon sources significantly improved hematological parameters, non-specific immune responses, and antioxidant capacity of Nile tilapia.
  • The highest biofloc volume of 34.1 mL L-1 was observed in the group treated with molasses, indicating optimal water quality for tilapia culture.
  • Physicochemical parameters of water were affected by the carbon sources but remained within the optimal range for tilapia culture.
  • The study concluded that the biofloc technology (BFT) with molasses (BFT+M) and BFT with starch (BFT+S) as carbon sources were superior to the control group in terms of growth performance, hematology, immunity, and antioxidant capacity of Nile tilapia.

Statistics:

  • Biofloc volume: 34.1 mL L-1 (highest observed in BFT+M)
  • Weight gain: 125 g (highest observed in BFT+M)
  • Survival rate: 99.03% (highest observed in BFT+M)
  • Feed conversion ratio: 17.1 (lowest observed in BFT+M)
  • Hematocrit: 45.2 ± 1.6 (lower in BFT+M and BFT+S than in the control)
  • Hemoglobin: 7.5 ± 0.5 g/100 mL (lower in BFT+M and BFT+S than in the control)
  • White blood cells (WBCs): 8.2 ± 0.8 x 10^9/L (higher in BFT+M and BFT+S than in the control)
  • Red blood cells (RBCs): 2.5 ± 0.2 x 10^12/L (higher in BFT+M and BFT+S than in the control)
  • Albumin: 3.2 ± 0.2 g/100 mL (lower in BFT+M and BFT+S than in the control)
  • Globulin: 2.5 ± 0.2 g/100 mL (lower in BFT+M and BFT+S than in the control)
  • Immunoglobulin: 1.5 ± 0.2 g/100 mL (higher in BFT+M and BFT+S than in the control)
  • Lysozyme activity: 25.1 ± 2.1 U/mL (higher in BFT+M and BFT+S than in the control)

Sources:

  • Journal of Fisheries, 2025, 13(3)
  • NewsRx LLC
  • University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
  • Department of Zoology, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan