| MBD | • Inexpensive• Easy to produce• Binders can be nutritionally inert | • Poor retention of LMWS nutrients and possibly water-soluble proteins |
| Cross-linked protein walled capsules | • Possible to modify capsule wall properties• Digestible for some species of fish larvae | • Expensive• Use of organic solvents• Poor retention of LMWS nutrients |
| Lipid – walled capsules and lipid spray beads | • Inexpensive• Easy to produce• Better retention of LMWS nutrients compared with micro-bound particles and cross-linked protein-walled capsules | • Hard-lipid particles are not digestible by most species of fish larvae and depend on mechanical breakdown• Possible oxidation of unsaturated lipids during preparation and storage |
| Liposomes | • Better retention of LMWS nutrients compared with micro-bound particles and cross-linked protein-walled capsules• Digestible• Phospholipid wall material may contribute to larval nutrition | • Expensive• Use of organic solvents• Preparation involves several steps• Possible oxidation of unsaturated lipids during preparation and storage |
| MCD | • Digestible• Lower nutrient leaching | • Expensive |
| MEM | • Produce larger particle size (100–500 µm) | • Double step• Expensive |
| PARA | • Single step• Can produce smaller particles (50–500 µm) | • Expensive |
| MED | • The capsule wall helps maintain the integrity of the food particle until it is consumed• Lower leaching and degredation of nutrients in the water | • Restrict leaching of water-soluble dietary components and therefore reduce the larvae’s attraction to the food particles• The capsule wall impairs digestion• Expensive |