Bioencapsulation of praziquantel in adult Artemia

A description of bioencapsulation of praziquantel in adult Artemia for 2.5 g/L, 5 g/L, and 10 g/L treatment baths is presented. Praziquantel was detected in adult brine shrimp tissue after enrichment periods of 15 min, 30 min, 1 hr, 2 hr, 4 hr, 8 hr, 12 hr, and 24 hr. The assays were performed using high performance liquid chromatography. There was variable uptake by Artemia at all three bath treatments over time. Despite early variability, all three baths showed a terminal increase in praziquantel concentration. Highest concentration of praziquantel was seen in the initial sample (5 g/L) or the last sample (2.5 g/L and 10 g/L). The highest concentration of praziquantel at any one point was observed in the 5 g/L treatment bath at 15 minutes. Based on percentage, more praziquantel was incorporated into shrimp at the 10 g/L than either of the other treatments. Non-predictable fluctuations were seen in the concentration of praziquantel in both the treatment water and control water. Concentration of praziquantel in the control water increased in each treatment group over each of the final three time points. Neither total praziquantel in the treatment bath (shrimp and water) or the control bath were consistent among any treatment group. Survival of shrimp was not affected by concentration, but decreased over time in all treatment baths comparatively. It can be concluded that praziquantel can be successfully, but not reliably, bioencapsulated in adult Artemia.