0
Article Tier 2 Environmental Sources Marine & Wildlife Policy & Risk Sign in to save

Multifunctional Applications of Biofloc Technology (BFT) in Sustainable Aquaculture: A Review

Fishes 2025 6 citations

AI summary Read the abstract

This review explores the broader applications of biofloc technology beyond its traditional use in aquaculture feed and water purification. Researchers found that microbial aggregates in biofloc systems can help remove microplastics and heavy metals from water through combined physical, chemical, and biological mechanisms. The study highlights the technology's potential for environmental remediation and circular resource management, though challenges remain in scaling up these systems.

Body Systems
Study Type Environmental

Biofloc technology (BFT), traditionally centered on feed supplementation and water purification in aquaculture, harbors untapped multifunctional potential as a sustainable resource management platform. This review systematically explores beyond conventional applications. BFT leverages microbial consortia to drive resource recovery, yielding bioactive compounds with antibacterial/antioxidant properties, microbial proteins for efficient feed production, and algae biomass for nutrient recycling and bioenergy. In environmental remediation, its porous microbial aggregates remove microplastics and heavy metals through integrated physical, chemical, and biological mechanisms, addressing critical aquatic pollution challenges. Agri-aquatic integration systems create symbiotic loops where nutrient-rich aquaculture effluents fertilize plant cultures, while plants act as natural filters to stabilize water quality, reducing freshwater dependence and enhancing resource efficiency. Emerging applications, including pigment extraction for ornamental fish and the anaerobic fermentation of biofloc waste into organic amendments, further demonstrate its alignment with circular economy principles. While technical advancements highlight its capacity to balance productivity and ecological stewardship, challenges in large-scale optimization, long-term system stability, and economic viability necessitate interdisciplinary research. By shifting focus to its underexplored functionalities, this review positions BFT as a transformative technology capable of addressing interconnected global challenges in food security, pollution mitigation, and sustainable resource use, offering a scalable framework for the future of aquaculture and beyond.

More Papers Like This

Article Tier 2

The impact of microplastics on water quality, heavy metals, and health risks in bioflocbased tilapia farming systems

AI summary Read the abstract

Researchers tested biofloc technology—which uses microbial aggregates—to reduce microplastic and heavy metal (Fe, Zn, Cu) contamination in tilapia aquaculture systems, finding it improved water quality through flocculation and biosorption of plastic and metal particles.

Article Tier 2

The Importance of Flocculating Agents in Biofloc Aquaculture System: New Flocculants and Their Performance on Water Quality, Sludge Production, Heavy Metals, and Microplastic

AI summary Read the abstract

This review examines the role of flocculating agents in biofloc technology aquaculture systems, assessing how different flocculants affect water quality, sludge production, heavy metal dynamics, and microplastic accumulation. The authors evaluated new flocculant types and their performance as part of efforts to optimize sustainable, high-productivity aquaculture systems.

Article Tier 2

Microplastics biodegradation by biofloc-producing bacteria: An inventive biofloc technology approach

AI summary Read the abstract

Researchers investigated biofloc-producing bacteria as a novel approach to biodegrade microplastics in aquaculture systems, finding that certain floc-forming bacterial strains can break down plastic particles while simultaneously improving water quality in culture environments.

Article Tier 2

Microplastics inhibit biofloc formation and alter microbial community composition and nitrogen transformation function in aquaculture

AI summary Read the abstract

Microplastics were found to inhibit biofloc formation in aquaculture systems and alter microbial community composition and nitrogen transfer processes. The findings raise concerns about the growing use of intensive biofloc-based aquaculture in areas where microplastic contamination is prevalent.

Article Tier 2

The Evaluation of Microplastic Reduction in Biofloc Aquaculture for Sustainable Nile Tilapia Cultivation

AI summary Read the abstract

Researchers evaluated biofloc technology as a strategy to reduce microplastic levels in water and Nile tilapia tissues in aquaculture, using ecological risk assessment to evaluate residual contamination. Biofloc systems reduced MP concentrations in both water and fish tissues compared to conventional systems, supporting biofloc technology as a partial mitigation strategy.

Research digests by email

When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.

Email me about

Share this paper