Biofloc effect on penaeid shrimp immune system parameters: Meta-analysis and Meta-regression

Biological flocs are communities of heterotrophic bacteria that develop through manipulation of the carbon-nitrogen ratio of aquaculture farming systems. These microbial communities improve the quality parameters of the culture water, reduce the concentrations of toxic inorganic species, and act as a source of food and immunostimulators. The present work aims to evaluate the effect of the implementation of biological floc technology (BFT) on parameters of the immune response of farmed shrimp through meta-analysis and meta-regression studies. Pubmed, Science Direct, Scopus were searched from 2000 to 2021 on the influence of BFT on the immune system of penaeid shrimp. Statistical analysis was performed with the Jasp Metaanalysis Version 0.9.2 program. 258 scientific articles were obtained on the evaluation of BFT in penaeid shrimp. Of these, only 24 met the inclusion criteria for immune response. Meta-regression with fixed data on immune parameters showed that complex carbon sources and the use of probiotics enhanced a greater immune response than the other indicators. BFT stimulates the immune system of shrimp and can be used in conjunction with the use of probiotics as a tool to counteract diseases in shrimp culture