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International Journal of Food Science and Agriculture

ISSN Online: 2578-3475 ISSN Print: 2578-3467 CODEN: IJFSJ3
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ArticleOpen Access http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/ijfsa.2025.12.016

Optimizing Yield, Nutrient Dynamics, Safety of Basil and Nile Tilapia in an Intensive Aquaponics System with Volcanic Tuff Biofiltration

Ahmad A. Al Khraisat*, Saad A. Awamleh, Iqab A. Awamleh, Lama A. Al-Hashlamoun, Hiba A. Al-Manaseer, Sana'a M. Abu-Orabi, Wesam M. Alnawaiseh, Omar A. Alrawashdeh, Shahed S. Al-Nsour, Sami A. Al Awabdeh, Bashar Y. Al Rahahleh

National Agricultural Research Center (NARC), Baq'a 19381, Jordan.

*Corresponding author: Ahmad A. Al Khraisat

Published: January 22,2026

Abstract

This 180-day study assessed an intensive aquaponics system integrating Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and basil (Ocimum basilicum), focusing on the effects of fish stocking density on system productivity, nutrient assimilation, and food safety. Four stocking densities were evaluated: T1 (60 fish/m³), T2 (90 fish/m³), T3 (120 fish/m³), and T4 (150 fish/m³), each with three replicated basil beds. Juvenile tilapia (5 g initial weight) were reared in a closed-loop recirculating system, where water flowed from fish ponds through volcanic tuff biofilters to basil beds and then returned to collection tanks. Fish performance was measured via final weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), survival, and fillet composition. Basil growth was assessed through plant height, fresh and dry biomass, leaf area, tissue nutrient content (N, P, K), and proximate composition, including moisture, crude protein, crude lipid, ash, crude fiber, and nitrogen-free extract (NFE). Water quality parameters—pH, dissolved oxygen, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate—were monitored throughout. Results showed that moderate stocking densities (T2 and T3) optimized both fish and plant performance. Tilapia achieved the highest final weights (270-275 g), efficient FCR (1.28-1.30), and survival rates above 95%. Basil growth, nutrient content, and proximate composition were also highest in T2 and T3 (crude protein 4.0-4.1% DW, lipid 1.0-1.1% DW, ash 1.7-1.8% DW, fiber 2.9-3.0% DW, NFE 8.9-9.0% DW). Low (T1) and high (T4) densities resulted in reduced basil growth and proximate nutrient content, indicating nutrient limitation at T1 and mild wa-ter quality stress at T4. Overall, stocking densities of 90-120 fish/m³ achieved the best balance between tilapia growth and basil productivity, ensuring efficient nutrient utilization, optimal water quality, and safe, nutritionally rich food, providing practical guidance for sustainable aquaponics design.

Keywords

Aquaponics; Nile Tilapia; Basil; Stocking Density; Volcanic Tuff; Nutrient Dynamics; Food Safety

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How to cite this paper

Optimizing Yield, Nutrient Dynamics, Safety of Basil and Nile Tilapia in an Intensive Aquaponics System with Volcanic Tuff Biofiltration

How to cite this paper: Ahmad A. Al Khraisat, Saad A. Awamleh, Iqab A. Awamleh, Lama A. Al-Hashlamoun, Hiba A. Al-Manaseer, Sana’a M. Abu-Orabi, Wesam M. Alnawaiseh, Omar A. Alrawashdeh, Shahed S. Al-Nsour, Sami A. Al Awabdeh, Bashar Y. Al Rahahleh. (2025) Optimizing Yield, Nutrient Dynamics, Safety of Basil and Nile Tilapia in an Intensive Aquaponics System with Volcanic Tuff Biofiltration. International Journal of Food Science and Agriculture9(4), 418-429.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/ijfsa.2025.12.016