EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT CARBON SOURCES IN THE BIOFLOC PRODUCTION, NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION AND RELEVANT MICROORGANISM IN PLASTIC TANKS

A study was conducted to investigate the different carbon sources (local and synthetic) on the biofloc production, nutritional composition and relevant microorganism for 6 weeks in a zero -water exchange culture tank. The experimental plastic tanks 30 L (A-D) used as biofloc systems (BFs) contained different water sources and inoculums; 50% tap water+50% pondwater+40g of kaolin+65g feed+ 60g corn flour, 100% tap water+40g kaolin+65g feed+ 60g natural ground corn, Zea mays, 100% pond water+40g kaolin+65g feed+ 60g rice bran and 100% tap water neither kaolin nor carbon source added+ 65g feed, respectively. The BFs were constantly aerated while the inoculums were maintained. The overall C/N ratio in the BFs was 13.79. Highest quantity (P < 0.05) of flocs produced was in BFs A, in comparison to other experimental groups. Elevated levels (P < 0.05) of proteins, lipids and carbohydrates were observed in BFs A, in comparison to other groups. The relevant microorganism recorded in all the flocs produced was Lactobacillus plantarum (4.2X10⁶) and was highest in the BFs A. A linear relationship (r= 0.86, p<0.0001) was recorded in the total suspended solids and floc volumes produced in the BFs A, indicated good biofloc formation in 50% pond water and 50% tap water+40g kaolin+65g feed than other experimental groups.