The complex microbiome in aquaponics: significance of the bacterial ecosystem
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Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Annals of Microbiology
Abstract
Aquaponics is a technology that has minimal impact on the environment and which is often promoted
as a solution for sustainable food production. Developing aquaponics sustainably requires a thorough
understanding of the biological components of the system. Recent reports on the bacterial populations of
aquaponics systems using new DNA sequencing technologies are revealing a complex and diverse microbial
ecosystem. The purpose of this review is to present information on microbial composition and various factors
affecting bacterial activity in aquaponics systems. Approaches for establishing a bacterial ecosystem during the
setup of an aquaponics system, and microbiological safety of aquaponics products are also highlighted.
Methods: This review was developed by evaluating and synthesising current literature of peer-reviewed
publications related to aquaponics and microbial communities. Based on the results from credible academic
journals, publications were categorised into five groups: methods used to characterise microbiomes, biofiltration
microorganisms, bacterial diversity, biofilter establishment, and safety of aquaponics products.
Results: The microbial ecosystem is essential for biological filtration of water through the mineralisation of nutrients
required for plant growth in an integrated system. The aquaponics microbiome is complex, and bacterial
composition varies between the different compartments of these systems. Establishing these bacterial ecosystems is
essential for optimal functioning of aquaponics. At the phylum level, Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes are
dominant in aquaponics systems. Despite bacteria being fundamental to aquaponics, there are currently no reports
of human pathogens in aquaponics products.
Description
Keywords
Aquaponics system, Fish, Microbial communities
Citation
Kasozi, N., Abraham, B., Kaiser, H., & Wilhelmi, B. (2021). The complex microbiome in aquaponics: significance of the bacterial ecosystem. Annals of Microbiology, 71(1), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13213-020-01613-5