Repurposing and reusing aquaculture wastes through a biosecure microfloc technology

Majeed Wani, Sayima and Chesti, Anayitullah and Rehman, Saima and Nautiyal, Vipin Chandra and Bhat, Irfan Ahmad and Ahmad, Irshad (2025) Repurposing and reusing aquaculture wastes through a biosecure microfloc technology. Environmental Research, 274. pp. 1-20. ISSN 1096-0953

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Abstract

Intensive aquaculture waste management is a significant challenge in the aquaculture industry, often contributing to environmental issues. Intensive aquaculture techniques demand new strategies and alternatives aimed at achieving sustainability. Repurposing and reusing wastes through innovative technologies can mitigate their negative impact. Biofloc technology (BFT) or bio-colloidal technology is based on the concept of aquaculture waste utilization by heterotrophic microbial biomass and presents a biosecure and sustainable solution. The dynamics of BFT are shaped by ecological interactions like commensalism, competition, and predation, forming a trophic micro-network consisting of rotifers, ciliates, heterotrophic bacteria, and microalgae. Metagenomic studies showed dominance of microbial communities within the biofloc, such as Cyanobacteria, Nitrosomonas, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Pseudomonadota, Rhodobacteraceae and Bacillus species that play a crucial role in the mineralization and bioremediation of waste. These microbes also help to break down hazardous toxic compounds into non-toxic, beneficial nutrients, which are subsequently utilized as food by fish and shellfish. Also, recycling waste reduces pollution, improves water quality, and enhances the efficiency of aquaculture system. With increasing incidences of microbial diseases and growing expenses for energy, biosecurity with BFT seems, by all means a sustainable production method for aquaculture. The incorporation of biosecure biofloc technology into aquaculture practices enhances environmental sustainability while optimizing resource use, creating more eco-friendly and cost-effective systems. This review highlights key aspects such as the microbial dynamics, role of metagenomics in identifying the bacterial communities, bioremediation of aquaculture waste, biosecurity concerns, and the biocontrol of pathogenic microbes across various biofloc systems.

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