Biofloc technology in aquaculture: Beneficial effects and future challenges

As the human population continues to grow, food production industries such as aquaculture will need to expand as well. In order to preserve the environment and the natural resources, this expansion will need to take place in a sustainable way. Biofloc technology is a technique of enhancing water quality in aquaculture through balancing carbon and nitrogen in the system. The technology has recently gained attention as a sustainable method to control water quality, with the added value of producing proteinaceous feed in situ. In this review, we will discuss the beneficial effects of the technology and identify some challenges for future research. ► Biofloc technology aims at enhancing water quality through balancing C and N. ► Heterotrophic bacteria assimilate inorganic N waste into biomass. ► The bioflocs can be used as proteinaceous feed for the cultured animals. ► We discuss advantages of biofloc technology and challenges for further research.