• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.133-139
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• 2023

The advantage of biofloc technology (BFT) in aquaculture is in the prevention of pathogenic transmission. In this study, we performed an investigation on viral, bacterial, and microsporidian parasite infections targeting a total of 194 whiteleg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei reared in seven BFT-farms on the west coast of Korea in 2021. Hepatopancreatic and cuticular epithelium and pereiopods tissues of shrimp were tested for the four pathogens, Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP), Vibrio parahaemolyticus causing Acute Hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (VP_AHPND), white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), and hepatopancreatic parvovirus (HPV). The microsporidian parasite EHP was detected in the hepatopancreatic tissue of BFT whiteleg shrimp in the Ganghwa region, whereas no other pathogenic bacteria or virus was detected on the shrimp in the seven BFT-farms. As a result of bacterial flora in the rearing water of BFT whiteleg shrimp using DNA microbiome technology, V. chemaguriensis and V. alfacsensis were contained at 0.05% and 0.01%, respectively, but no VP_AHPND was detected. These findings will serve as a basis for supporting safe BFT-aquaculture of whiteleg shrimp.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.418-425
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• 2021

The effects of an aquaponic system based on biofloc technology (BFT-AP) were analyzed for eel Anguilla japonica as aquaculture species and caipira Lactuca sativa as the cultivated crops. The rate of weight gain rate by the eels was 178% (BFT-AP 200 head) > 136% (BFT-AP 100 head) > 100% (BFT). The eel body weight in the BFT-AP (200 head) significantly increased when compared to the BFT only eel group (P<0.05). The weight of the upper layer of caipira was 91±8.5 g (200 head) > 90±8.9 g (100 head) > 48±8.3 g (Hydroponic crop, HP). The crop growth in all BFT-AP groups was higher than the control, the hydroponic group. The total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) and NO₂^--N concentrations decreased in the BFT-AP group when compared to the BFT group. It was possible to remove nitric acid from the aquaponics system and reuse it as eel rearing water. Although some nutrient concentrations were low in BFT when compared to HP, the nutrient concentration was sufficient for plant growth. The results show that BFT has the potentially to provide a sustainable aquaponic system.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.159-172
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• 2019

This study investigated the effects of dietary monobasic potassium phosphate (MKP) on the growth of the far eastern catfish Silurus asotus and four leafy vegetables in a hybrid biofloc technology aquaponic system. To an experimental diet containing 45% protein and 7% lipid, 1, 2, 3 or 4% MKP was added and was designated as MKP1, MKP2, MKP3, and MKP4, respectively. The optimum MKP levels were determined for the growth of fish and four leafy vegetables over 10 weeks. After the 10-week feeding trial, weight gain, feed efficiency, specific growth rate and protein efficiency ratio were higher in the fish groups fed MKP2 and MKP3 than in the other groups (P<0.05). The growth of the four leafy vegetables was also higher in the fish groups fed MKP2 and MKP3. Water quality [dissolved oxygen, pH, water temperature, electrical conductivity, turbidity, total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), $NO_2-N$, $NO_3-N$ and $PO_4-P$] was measured six times a week using a portable water quality meter and reagent measurements. The TAN (4.58-20.40 mg/L), $NO_3-N$ (24.12-52.40 mg/L) and $PO_4-P$ (20.38-48.48 mg/L) levels increased with time, while the $NO_2-N$ level remained below 0.1 mg/L throughout the study.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.541-548
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• 2022

Biofloc technology (BFT) systems provides an additional protein source for fish by converting waste in microbial flocs. Therefore, we aimed to determine the difference in the protein levels of the diet of Far Eastern catfish Silurus asotus reared in BFT and FW systems. We applied a two-way (six protein levels × two aquaculture systems) ANOVA design. We formulated six experimental diets to contain different protein levels (CPs)- 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40% and 45%-referred to as the CP20, CP25, CP30, CP35, CP40 and CP45 diets, respectively. We randomly distributed 900 fish into 36 (18 each for BFT and FW), 300 L tanks (25 fish/tank) with three replications of each diet for 4 weeks. The weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) considerably improved as the dietary protein level increased in the formulated diets. The BFT fish showed higher growth performance with any experimental diet than the FW fish. The growth performance of the fish fed the BFT-CP35 diet was higher than that of the fish fed the FW-CP45 diet. In conclusion, the cultivation of Far Eastern catfish (S. asotus) in BFTs can be carried out under reduced dietary protein levels.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.8
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• pp.1420-1427
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• 2016

Geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB) are two of the most common taint compounds that adversely affect the quality of aquacultural animals. In the present study, 94% of geosmin and 97% of 2-MIB in suspended growth reactors producing bioflocs (SGRs) with aquaculture waste were removed after inoculation with Bacillus subtilis, significantly higher than that of control SGRs (70% of geosmin and 86.4% of 2-MIB). The lowest concentrations of geosmin and 2-MIB achieved in the effluent of the SGRs were 2.43 ± 0.42 ng/l and 2.23 ± 0.15 ng/l, respectively. The crude protein content of the bioflocs produced in the SGRs was 35 ± 4%. The NH₄⁺-N and NO₂^--N concentrations in the effluent of the reactors were 1.13 ± 0.21 mg/l and 0.42 ± 0.04 mg/l, respectively. These results suggest that inoculated with Bacillus subtilis, SGRs have a better performance to reuse the nitrogen in fish waste and to remove geosmin and 2-MIB from the culture water efficiently.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.1424-1431
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• 2018

We prepared flocculated detritus-like organic marine snow originating from various organisms by fermentation using microorganisms; this fermented organic material was fed to the leptocephali of the eel (Anguilla japonica) to investigate whether or not such organic matter was an appropriate food source for the larvae. A strain was isolated from a biofloc technology system used to culture fish, and seven types of organic material from hen's egg, eel muscle, tuna muscle, lugworm, shrimp, manila clam, mussel, and sea squirt were fermented using isolated bacteria (Bacillus sp.). The fermented matter did not show any specific form and was larger than $10-20{\mu}m$ but no more than $100{\mu}m$ in size. Four diets (A-D) were prepared using the various fermented products, and the larvae were fed the prepared food from 20 days after hatching. The leptocephali fed the A, B, and C diets survived until 37, 39, and 37 days after hatching, respectively. However, the leptocephali fed the D diet survived for 60 days after hatching. The protein content of each diet was very similar, but the n-3 HUFA concentration in the D diet was approximately twice as high as that of the others.

• Clean Technology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.35-42
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• 2001

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of zeolite addition on biofloc in aictvated sludge process. Two units were compared each other, in which one was operated as control unit (CU) and the other was managed by adding zeolite into aeration basin to sustain 4,000 mg/l (ZU). It was observed that flocs of both units were enduringly increased in medium size by extending SRT (Solid Retention Time), although their effect size of ZU was smaller than theirs of CU. Zeolite application excessively improved sludge settling property and ZU presented sludge settling velocity of 3.4 to 11 m/h regardless of SRT variation. The sludge volume index (SVI) was in the range of 50 and 108 ml/g. Conversely, the sludge settling velocity of CU seriously depended on SRT increase, and sludge sedimentation was not achieved at a 40 days of SRT due to Sphaerotilus appeared predominantly in reactor.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.196-204
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• 2022

This study observed changes in survival, growth performance and water quality for 90 days to confirm the possibility of Leiocassis ussuriensis farming using Biofloc technology (BFT) using Bacillus subtilis. Feed and molasses were added to the experimental tank to produce BFT water before planting the experiment, and B. subtilis was inoculated to stabilize the water quality for 40 days. The survival rate of the experimental fish was 92.7±3.2% in the control group and 95.8±3.3% in the BFT group. The Weight gain (WG) was 118.1±9.0% of the control and 197.7±15.6% of the BFT, and the Specific growth rate (SGR) was 0.87±0.5% of the control and 1.21±0.06% of the BFT. As for the feed efficiency, the control was 43.7±2.6% and the BFT was measured at 70.1±4.1%, indicating that the feed efficiency of the BFT was higher. As a result of measuring the water quality change during the experimental period, pH was reduced in both the control and the BFT, and Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids (MLSS) did not show any change in the control, but the BFT showed a significant increase at 90 days. NH₄⁺-N and NO₂^--N showed a significant increase from the 30 days of the experiment in the control, but showed no change in the BFT. In conclusion, as a result of applying the BFT system using B. subtilis to the process of cultivating Leiocassis ussuriensis, the water quality tended to stabilize, and the growth rate and feed efficiency were found to be higher than those of the control, confirmiWng that it had a positive effect.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.545-553
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• 2019

This study was conducted to determine whether the water in which nitrate accumulated during long-term fish culture in an aquaponics system without water exchange could be removed and reused as catfish-culturing water. The catfish (Silurus asotus) were cultured in the urban aquaculture system using BFT (Biofloc Technology) aquaculture and an aquaponics system (two rearing tanks, 3 tons each) without exchanging the rearing water. After 151 days (from March to August) of rearing, 2.8 g of fry had grown to an average weight of 171.3 g (total weight, 56.53 kg) and 235.5 g (total weight 71.1 kg), respectively. The overall survival rate was 65% in the urban aquaculture system. However, the survival rate was 77.7% before separation into the two tanks. The survival rates after the separation were 92.9% and 78.0%. In the early biofloc watermaking process, there was a high mortality rate. After water stabilization, the mortality rate decreased and some mortality occurred during the period when the total amount of suspended solids (TSS) increased. The results of monthly blood analysis of the catfish showed that the AST concentration was significantly higher in April. Blood ALT levels and triglycerides showed no difference in the rearing period and the glucose, cholesterol, and total protein levels were significantly higher in July. There was no difference in the other periods. The plants produced by the aquaponics system using catfish-rearing water were lettuce, basil, chard, and red chicory. These showed smooth growth and a total of 148.85 kg of plants were harvested in five months. It was possible to remove nitric acid from the aquaponics system and reuse it as catfish-rearing water. Maintaining proper plant quantity according to the capacity of the catfish showed that the combination of agricultural and aquatic products was possible.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.331-339
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• 2010

Shrimp farming is the most important mariculture industry on the west coast of South Korea. However, it has suffered from mass mortality due to viral disease outbreaks and coastal pollution due to water discharge. This study developed an intensive shrimp culture method for outdoor ponds, without water exchange, which minimizes the chance of viral transmission from the environment, reduces coastal pollution by water discharge and enhances shrimp production. A culture trial was conducted in two high-density polyethylene (HDPE)-lined ponds with a $550\;m^2$ surface area. The ponds were stocked with postlarvae of Litopenaeus vannamei, the major farmed shrimp species in Korea, on July 10, 2007, and cultured for 90 days with no water exchange. The stocking density of the postlarvae (B.W. 0.0015 g) was $272\;ind./m^2$, which is eight times higher than in traditional pond culture in Korea. At harvest, the total production of ponds 1 and 2 was 1,362kg ($2.48\;kg/m^2$) and 1,282 kg ($2.33\;kg/m^2$), respectively. This is 20~22 times higher than the mean farmed shrimp production ($0.112\;kg/m^2$) in Korea and about eight times higher than in traditional ponds with a good harvest. Although there was no water exchange throughout the culture period, the mean concentrations of unionized ammonia and nitrite-nitrogen were as low as 0.038 and 6.0 mg/L, respectively. The feed conversion rate (FCR) was 1.38, which is 20~45% lower than that of traditional pond cultures. The high efficiency of the diet in this study is thought to be due to a well-managed feeding strategy and well-developed bioflocs used as diet additions for the shrimp. The final body weight of the shrimp at harvest was low (12.2~12.5 g), compared with that of traditional pond culture. This may have resulted from the combination of a short culture period, high density of shrimp, and low temperature. This study suggests that a super-intensive shrimp pond culture method using biofloc technology with no water exchange can minimize viral transmission via water exchange, reduce coastal pollution, and enhance shrimp production.