Biofloc Technology Applications in Aquaculture Systems

Biofloc technology harnesses the collective activity of bacteria, algae, protozoa and particulate organic matter to transform aquaculture waste into a nutritious microbial biomass. By manipulating the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, biofloc systems convert toxic nitrogenous compounds—principally ammonia and nitrite—into microbial protein, thus maintaining water quality in zero-water-exchange environments. The resulting floc serves as a supplementary feed, improving growth performance, feed conversion efficiency and survival across a range of cultured species, notably shrimp and tilapia. Beyond nutrition, biofloc enhances innate immunity through probiotic effects, reduces effluent discharge and supports higher stocking densities, delivering both economic and environmental benefits. Innovations such as integrating biofloc within multi-trophic systems or combining it with formulated diets extend its applicability, while ongoing research addresses operational challenges—including energy demand, sludge management and microbial dynamics—to optimise resilience and scalability in diverse production settings.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have demonstrated that stocking density profoundly influences shrimp performance and biofloc composition. In one investigation of white-leg shrimp, low-density culture yielded superior growth, survival and immune gene expression compared with high-density systems. Protein content of the biofloc was significantly higher at lower stocking rates, and stress indicators including Vibrio counts and histological gill damage increased under crowding. The work highlights the importance of balancing density with microbial management to sustain both animal welfare and production efficiency in biofloc-based shrimp farming.

Biofloc Technology Applications in Aquaculture Systems publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in biofloc technology applications in aquaculture systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Biofloc: Aggregates of microorganisms and organic particles that recycle waste into microbial biomass, improving water quality and serving as supplementary feed.

Carbon-to-Nitrogen (C/N) ratio: The proportion of available carbon to nitrogen in the system, adjusted to promote heterotrophic bacterial growth and nitrogen assimilation.

Heterotrophic bacteria: Bacteria that consume organic carbon to remove nitrogenous waste, forming the bulk of microbial flocs in biofloc systems.

Zero-water-exchange system: An aquaculture setup where no external water is added or removed, relying on in-system treatment such as biofloc to maintain water quality.

Microbial protein: Protein-rich biomass produced by microorganisms within biofloc, utilised by cultured species as an alternative feed source.

References

1. Biofloc Technology in Fish Aquaculture: A Review. Antioxidants (2023).
2. Wheat bran addition methods in Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) biofloc systems. Aquacultural Engineering (2024).
3. Influence of stocking density on the growth, immune and physiological responses, and cultivation environment of white-leg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) in biofloc systems. Scientific Reports (2024).
4. Dynamics of nitrogenous compounds and their control in biofloc technology (BFT) systems: A review. Aquaculture and Fisheries (2021).
5. Biofloc Systems for Sustainable Production of Economically Important Aquatic Species: A Review. Sustainability (2021).