Particulate Gel Structure for Larval Live Feed Substitution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dry and wet diets for marine finfish and shrimp larvae fail to replicate the nutritional and physical properties of live feeds, particularly during critical developmental stages, leading to inefficiencies and operational challenges, while Artemia use is limited by cost, biohazard, and sustainability issues.

Innovation Solution

A particulate gel structure dispersed in an aqueous medium, comprising agar, attractants, and optionally omega-3 fatty acids and phospholipids, is co-fed with conventional dry feeds to mimic the functions of live feeds, enhancing ingestion and digestion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If live feed (Artemia, rotifers) is used to nourish larvae, then nutritional requirements are met and ingestion is facilitated, but biohazard risk increases and operational costs rise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenutritional adequacyVSAvoidbiohazard risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates artificial life feed particles that copy the essential physical and nutritional properties of live feed without using actual living organisms. The particles are designed to mimic the size, shape, buoyancy, and nutritional composition of Artemia and rotifers, providing the same feeding stimulation and nutritional value while eliminating biohazard risks associated with live feed production and handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Ease of operation

If dry diet is used for larval culture, then operational simplicity improves and biohazard risk decreases, but water stability and particle digestibility are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational simplicityVSAvoidparticle digestibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent develops composite artificial life feed particles that combine dry feed components with hydrocolloids and lipids to create a structured matrix. This composite structure provides the water stability needed for larval culture while maintaining particle integrity and digestibility. The particles incorporate proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and hydrocolloids in specific ratios and configurations that mimic live feed properties while retaining the operational simplicity of dry feeds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If wet diet is used to improve buoyancy and mimic live feed, then ingestion attraction improves, but leaching and preservation challenges increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebuoyancyVSAvoidpreservation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the water content and hydrocolloid composition of artificial life feed particles to achieve neutral buoyancy in seawater. By carefully controlling the density and structural properties of the particles through parameter adjustment, the feed maintains suspended position in the water column like live feed, while the controlled moisture content and hydrocolloid matrix prevent excessive leaching and enable stable preservation without requiring complex preservation protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Improves survival and growth rates of shrimp and fish larvae by mimicking live feed properties, reducing biohazard risks and operational costs, and maintaining nutritional balance.

Implementation Method 1

The present invention relates to a nutrimental complement suitable for ingestion by larvae of shrimp or fish, comprising: I) a particulate gel structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGel structure: Gel

Implementation Method 2

The gel structure is dispersed in an aqueous medium comprising at least one salt, e.g., sodium chloride

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDispersion: Dispersion (of waves)

Data Source

PatentUS20250275555A1Gel structure to facilitate live feed substituton for early life stages of aquatic organisms

Publication Date: 2025.09.04 NUTRECO IP ASSETS BV

AI summary

A nutrimental complement suitable for ingestion by larvae of shrimp or fish. The nutrimental complement has a particulate gel structure including agar, an attractant and water; and an aqueous medium having at least one salt. The particulate gel structure may be formed into gelled particles, e.g., granules, and the gelled particles may be added to the aqueous medium. A method is for preparing the nutrimental complement and a method is for co-feeding the nutrimental complement to shrimp larvae or fish larvae with at least one wet or dry feed, e.g., a complete wet or dry feed.