BIOFLOC TECHNOLOGY IN AQUACULTURE: FUNDAMENTALS, ADVANCES, AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PERFORMANCE AND ANIMAL HEALTH
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56238/revgeov17n3-042Keywords:
Animal Health, Aquatic Microbiota, Bioflocs, Sustainable Aquaculture, Zootechnical PerformanceAbstract
Biofloc technology (BFT) has emerged as a sustainable alternative for the intensification of aquaculture by integrating water quality control, nutrient recycling, and improved zootechnical performance of cultured organisms. This review aimed to synthesize the main scientific advances related to the fundamentals, management, and applications of BFT, with emphasis on its impacts on aquatic microbiota, animal health, and productive efficiency. The principles of biofloc formation were addressed, highlighting the importance of controlling the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, continuous aeration, and monitoring physicochemical water parameters to ensure system stability. Additionally, the role of bioflocs as a complementary nutritional source was discussed, contributing to improved nutrient utilization, enhanced feed conversion, and stimulation of immune responses. Recent advances, such as the use of liquid bioflocs formulated with selected strains of beneficial bacteria, especially Bacillus subtilis, produced in biofactories, were also analyzed, demonstrating advantages over conventional biofloc systems, including greater microbiological standardization and rapid system colonization. Overall, BFT presents high potential to promote more efficient, resilient, and environmentally sustainable aquaculture systems, provided it is associated with proper technical management and an integrated approach involving nutrition, microbiology, and water quality.
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