Synbiotics and aquamimicry as alternative microbial-based approaches in intensive shrimp farming and biofloc: Novel disruptive techniques or complementary management tools? A scientific-based overview

Globally, aquaculture, especially shrimp farming, plays an important economic role. However, it is known that traditional shrimp farming could negatively create environment impacts (e.g. due to water discharge into coastal areas and marine habitats), if good management practices are not followed. For these problems to be minimized, the industry needs to develop and implement technologies that promote sustainable aquaculture. Among different techniques, the biofloc technology (BFT) system and, more recently, the synbiotics and aquamimicry are considered alternatives microbial-based approaches that address high yields with certain level of biosecurity and better environmental practices. However, different from biofloc, both aquamimicry and synbiotics use fer-mented carbon sources in their routine practices. The present article aims to bring (i) the current status and research and development (R&D) efforts, (ii) the basics principles around synbiotics and aquamimicry; (iii) compares their key characteristics and (iv) discuss whether these two systems would be considered novel disruptive techniques or more likely management tools. The manuscript evidenced both systems share several operational and microbial similarities, and operate under comparable conditions. Recent bibliometric analysis (Web of Science) showed 578 articles for BFT, and only 20 for synbiotics and 3 for aquamimicry, an evident lack of scientific background highlighting that more science-based R&D efforts are needed in synbiotics and aquamimicry.

Automated summary

Globally, aquaculture, particularly shrimp farming, is important economically. However, traditional shrimp farming has negative environmental impacts if good management practices are not followed. To minimize these issues, the industry needs to develop and implement technologies that promote sustainable aquaculture. Biofloc technology, synbiotics, and aquamimicry are microbial-based approaches that address high yields with biosecurity and environmental practices. This article discusses their current status, principles, compares characteristics, and suggests the need for more research in synbiotics and aquamimicry.