| abstract |
Complex protein walled microcapsules (40) incorporate lipid-walled microcapsules (48) that include constituents to be retained in the presence of hydration such as water soluble vitamins and minerals. The protein walled microcapsules (40) are cross-linked, and include constituents (46) that are excluded from the lipid-walled microcapsules (48) and which are leachable from the protein walled microcapsules upon hydration. Other constituents (42 and 44), such as high molecular weight compounds and particulates may also be included in the protein walled microcapsules (40). Preferably, these other constituents (42 and 44) are chosen to be retained within the protein-walled microcapsules (40) upon hydration. In a preferred embodiment, the complex protein-walled microcapsules are used as a fish larvae diet, wherein low molecular weight constituents, such as amino acids, that are incorporated into the protein-walled microcapsule but excluded from the lipid-walled microcapsule, are chosen for use as phagostimulants and attractants. They are leached out from the protein-walled microcapsule upon hydration. Nutrients such as vitamins and minerals are retained in the lipid-walled capsules of the complex protein-walled microcapsules. Larvae are stimulated from the leached phagostimulants and ingest the complex protein walled microcapsule as food, wherein the encapsulated water soluble vitamins and minerals, as well as the protein itself serve as nutrients for the larvae. |