Biofloc Technology System Optimization: Effects of Carbon-to-Nitrogen Ratios on Water Parameters and Growth of Litopenaeus vannamei

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences | Vol. 12, No. 8, August 2026 | pp. 117–121

DOI: 10.46882/2026.AAAS.120804

Research Article

Title: Biofloc Technology System Optimization: Effects of Carbon-to-Nitrogen Ratios on Water Parameters and Growth of Litopenaeus vannamei

Names of Authors: Putra, I. W.¹, Santoso, B.², and Wijaya, S.¹

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Research Center for Fishery, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Jakarta, Indonesia. ²Department of Aquaculture, Bogor Agricultural University, Bogor, Indonesia.

Abstract: Managing nitrogenous waste accumulations is a critical requirement in intensive white leg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) cultivation setups. Biofloc systems utilize heterotrophic microbial assimilation channels to convert ammonia into microbial proteins by balancing macro-nutrient inputs. This 45-day experiment evaluated four carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratios (10:1, 15:1, 20:1, and 25:1) achieved via molasses supplementation inside high-density tanks. Total ammonia-nitrogen, nitrite, and biofloc volume metrics were logged every 24 hours. The 20:1 C/N ratio configuration maintained optimal water parameters, keeping total ammonia fractions below 0.12 mg/L and reducing volatile nitrite accumulation trends. Under this condition, shrimp survival rates reached 94.5 ± 2.1%, showing a final average weight of 18.2 g per individual. Proximate evaluations of the harvested floc matrices revealed a crude protein content of 38.4%, which functioned as an ongoing supplementary feed source. Increasing C/N ratios to 25:1 caused excessive suspended solids accumulation, requiring increased aeration inputs to prevent localized dissolved oxygen drops.

Keywords: Sustainable aquaculture; Zero water exchange; Heterotrophic bacteria; Molasses input; Nitrogen conversion; Shrimp farming.

Manuscript Timeline: Received April 22, 2026; Revised June 18, 2026; Accepted July 26, 2026; Published August 18, 2026.

Citation: Putra, I. W., Santoso, B., and Wijaya, S. (2026). Biofloc Technology System Optimization: Effects of Carbon-to-Nitrogen Ratios on Water Parameters and Growth of Litopenaeus vannamei. Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences, 12(8), pp. 117–121.

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