CSA Xpert

·           The system having improved methods of environmental control for aquatic animal production.

·     In aquaculture, the strong influential factors are the feed cost (accounting to 60% of the total production cost) and most limiting factor is the water/land availability.

·        High stocking density and rearing of aquatic animals requires wastewater treatment.

·        Biofloc system is a wastewater treatment which has gained vital importance as an approach in aquaculture.

·        The principle of this technique is the generation of nitrogen cycle by maintaining higher C: N ratio through stimulating heterotrophic microbial growth, which assimilates the nitrogenous waste that can be exploited by the cultured spices as a feed.

·   The biofloc technology is not only effective in treating the waste but also grants nutrition to the aquatic animal.

·     The higher C:N is maintained through the addition of carbohydrate source (molasses) and the water quality is improved through the production of high quality single cell microbial protein.

·           In such condition, dense microorganisms develop and function both as bioreactor controlling water quality and protein food source.

·   Immobilization of toxic nitrogen species occurs more rapidly in bioflocs because the growth rate and microbial production per unit substrate of heterotrophs are ten-times greater than that of the autotrophic nitrifying bacteria.

·      This technology is based on the principle of flocculation within the system.

·    The biofloc technology has been implemented in shrimp farming due to its bottom dwelling habit and resistance to environmental changes.

·       Studies have been conducted to assess the larval growth and reproductive performance of shrimps and Nile tilapia.

·       An improved breeding performance was observed in shrimp reared in the biofloc system when compared to that of normal culture practices. Similarly, improved larval growth performance was also noticed.