Evaluation of nutrients in biofloc meal harvested from an indoor multi-techno aquaculture system

This study evaluated the nutrient profile of biofloc meal, focusing on its proximate composition, amino acid, and fatty acid content. The potential of biofloc meal as a sustainable nutrient source in aquaculture diets was emphasised. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of processing methods on the nutrient profile of biofloc meal. The treatments were defined by C/N ratio and probiotic dosage as GRG 1 (C20N; 7 ml/l) and GRG 2 (C10N; 14ml/l). GRG 1 had a reliable fatty acid profile, with higher levels of lauric, myristic, pentadecanoic, heptadecanoic, stearic, behenic, tricosanoic, and lignoceric acids useful for energy provision, immunity, and cellular functions. GRG 1 was considered the most preferred sample for shrimp culture due to its comprehensive amino acid profile. The freeze-drying method preserved higher levels of essential amino acids and saturated fatty acids compared to oven-drying, enhancing the nutritional quality of the biofloc meal. Variations in saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids were observed between the two processing methods, with freeze-drying retaining substantial amounts of these fatty acids, which are crucial for energy storage, membrane structure, and the growth and health of aquatic organisms. It was therefore concluded that freeze-drying is the processing method most suitable for the preservation of the nutrient profile of biofloc meal.