Development of a novel casein-protamine based microparticles for early feeding of fish larvae: in vitro evaluation.

Objective: The objective of this study was to develop novel type of protein walled microparticles suitable for using in early feeding of fish larvae.

Methods: The microparticles were made of casein and protamine through complex coacervation and did not require further cross-linking or use of environmentally problematic reagents. The methodology was oriented to generate microparticles with an appropriate size range for easy recognition and ingestion by fish larvae (50-200 microm), adequate floating properties in saline, sufficient stability in terms of protein leakage and appropriate digestibility by the gut enzymes of fish larvae.

Results: Desired particle size and stability against protein leakages over 8 h were successfully achieved by optimizing the coacervation process conditions. The floating properties under static conditions were considered appropriate as a main particle fraction remained in suspension during at least 10 min. Very importantly, an enzyme extract from larval gut readily digested the particles. The digestibility of the casein-protamine particles was similar to that measured for Artemia nauplii and for two previously developed casein-based microparticles produced by interfacial polymerization and ionic gelation; the latter microparticle type had previously achieved good results of digestibility in early feeding of marine fish larvae.

Conclusion: The in vitro evaluation of the newly developed casein-protamine microparticles revealed promising characteristics as artificial larval feed. Thus, these particles merit further development with respect to entrapping nutrients and testing them in larval cultures for their nutritional value.