Treatment of diseased finfish and shrimp larvae is limited to contact exposure with chemicals administered in the water. However, larvae require ingestion of appropriate antibiotics for fast, effective recovery from systemic bacterial infections. The aquaculture industry lacks a medicated product developed for larval animals. Microencapsulation is currently being tested as a delivery system of live food replacements for aquatic larval species. We propose to encapsulate antibiotics and vitamin supplements within microcapsules subsequently incorporated into lipid-enriched microparticles. Microcapsules will be produced by a process that will protect the low molecular weight, water-soluble antibiotics and vitamins until ingestion by penaeid shrimp larvae. In-vitro antibiotic leaching rates will be correlated with survival of wmedicatedw larvae against Vibrio sp. challenge to determine feasibility for Phase-ll R&D. Results of in-vitro tests and whole animal responses to test medications, including a challenge with live bacteria, will determine commercialization potential.Applications:We will test the hypothesis that microcapsules containing antibiotics and selected vitamins embedded within a lipid-dense gel matrix can be used to treat infected larval shrimp. We expect to develop a medicated microencapsulated product that will be broken down in the Gl tract of shrimp larvae but not in the culture media. The vitamin supplement will provide additional potential for overcoming infections and managing associated stress.
