Synergistic carbon source utilization in Biofloc aquaculture of common carp (Cyprinus carpio): impacts on growth, health, and environmental parameters

IntroductionBiofloc technology (BFT) offers a sustainable approach to aquaculture by enhancing water quality and nutrient utilization. This study investigated the effects of varying carbon-to-nitrogen ratios, achieved through different combinations of jaggery and corn flour, rice flour, or rice bran...

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Main Authors: Nandini Rai, J. M. Julka, Akshaya Panigrahi, Sofia Priyadarsani Das
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Marine Science
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2025.1576079/full
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author Nandini Rai
J. M. Julka
Akshaya Panigrahi
Sofia Priyadarsani Das
author_facet Nandini Rai
J. M. Julka
Akshaya Panigrahi
Sofia Priyadarsani Das
author_sort Nandini Rai
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionBiofloc technology (BFT) offers a sustainable approach to aquaculture by enhancing water quality and nutrient utilization. This study investigated the effects of varying carbon-to-nitrogen ratios, achieved through different combinations of jaggery and corn flour, rice flour, or rice bran, on the growth performance, body composition, histological health, and immune response of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) fingerlings in a BFT system.MethodsA 90-day experiment was conducted using common carp fingerlings, where different groups were fed diets supplemented with jaggery in combination with either corn flour, rice flour, or rice bran, creating varying C:N ratios. Water quality parameters, Biofloc volume, growth performance (final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate), body composition (crude protein, crude lipid), histological analysis of liver and intestine, Biofloc morphology, and immune-related gene expression were assessed.ResultsThe addition of carbon sources, particularly jaggery and rice flour, significantly improved water quality by reducing total ammonia nitrogen, nitrite, and nitrate levels, and increasing Biofloc volume. The jaggery and rice flour group exhibited the highest final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, and levels of crude protein and crude lipid. Histological analysis showed improved hepatic and intestinal health in this group. Biofloc morphology varied, with rod shapes observed in the jaggery and rice flour group and spherical peanut shapes in the jaggery and corn flour group. The jaggery and rice flour group also demonstrated elevated expression of immune-related genes.DiscussionThe combination of jaggery and rice flour provided an optimal C:N ratio, leading to enhanced water quality, improved growth performance, better body composition, healthier histological structure, and a strengthened immune response in common carp fingerlings. The unique Biofloc morphology and increased immune gene expression observed in this group suggest a synergistic effect of jaggery and rice flour in promoting a robust and efficient BFT system for common carp aquaculture.
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spelling doaj-art-547ca218e8654d72b53060480cebf21e2025-08-20T03:03:49ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Marine Science2296-77452025-04-011210.3389/fmars.2025.15760791576079Synergistic carbon source utilization in Biofloc aquaculture of common carp (Cyprinus carpio): impacts on growth, health, and environmental parametersNandini Rai0J. M. Julka1Akshaya Panigrahi2Sofia Priyadarsani Das3School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, IndiaSchool of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, IndiaCrustacean Culture Division, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Central Institute of Brackish-water Aquaculture, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, IndiaCollege of Life Sciences, Department of Aquaculture, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, TaiwanIntroductionBiofloc technology (BFT) offers a sustainable approach to aquaculture by enhancing water quality and nutrient utilization. This study investigated the effects of varying carbon-to-nitrogen ratios, achieved through different combinations of jaggery and corn flour, rice flour, or rice bran, on the growth performance, body composition, histological health, and immune response of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) fingerlings in a BFT system.MethodsA 90-day experiment was conducted using common carp fingerlings, where different groups were fed diets supplemented with jaggery in combination with either corn flour, rice flour, or rice bran, creating varying C:N ratios. Water quality parameters, Biofloc volume, growth performance (final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate), body composition (crude protein, crude lipid), histological analysis of liver and intestine, Biofloc morphology, and immune-related gene expression were assessed.ResultsThe addition of carbon sources, particularly jaggery and rice flour, significantly improved water quality by reducing total ammonia nitrogen, nitrite, and nitrate levels, and increasing Biofloc volume. The jaggery and rice flour group exhibited the highest final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, and levels of crude protein and crude lipid. Histological analysis showed improved hepatic and intestinal health in this group. Biofloc morphology varied, with rod shapes observed in the jaggery and rice flour group and spherical peanut shapes in the jaggery and corn flour group. The jaggery and rice flour group also demonstrated elevated expression of immune-related genes.DiscussionThe combination of jaggery and rice flour provided an optimal C:N ratio, leading to enhanced water quality, improved growth performance, better body composition, healthier histological structure, and a strengthened immune response in common carp fingerlings. The unique Biofloc morphology and increased immune gene expression observed in this group suggest a synergistic effect of jaggery and rice flour in promoting a robust and efficient BFT system for common carp aquaculture.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2025.1576079/fullBioflocBiofloc volumecommon carpgene expressionhistopathology
spellingShingle Nandini Rai
J. M. Julka
Akshaya Panigrahi
Sofia Priyadarsani Das
Synergistic carbon source utilization in Biofloc aquaculture of common carp (Cyprinus carpio): impacts on growth, health, and environmental parameters
Frontiers in Marine Science
Biofloc
Biofloc volume
common carp
gene expression
histopathology
title Synergistic carbon source utilization in Biofloc aquaculture of common carp (Cyprinus carpio): impacts on growth, health, and environmental parameters
title_full Synergistic carbon source utilization in Biofloc aquaculture of common carp (Cyprinus carpio): impacts on growth, health, and environmental parameters
title_fullStr Synergistic carbon source utilization in Biofloc aquaculture of common carp (Cyprinus carpio): impacts on growth, health, and environmental parameters
title_full_unstemmed Synergistic carbon source utilization in Biofloc aquaculture of common carp (Cyprinus carpio): impacts on growth, health, and environmental parameters
title_short Synergistic carbon source utilization in Biofloc aquaculture of common carp (Cyprinus carpio): impacts on growth, health, and environmental parameters
title_sort synergistic carbon source utilization in biofloc aquaculture of common carp cyprinus carpio impacts on growth health and environmental parameters
topic Biofloc
Biofloc volume
common carp
gene expression
histopathology
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2025.1576079/full
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