DECAPSULATION PROCEEDURE

FOR BRINE SHRIMP EGGS

(ARTEMIA CYSTS)

Materials Needed:

100 gr Artemia Cysts (GSL origin)

15 gr NaOH or 33 ml of 40% Naoh solution

320 ml of liquid household bleach (5.25%)

1050 ml of seawater

100 ppm solution of Na2S203 (Sodium Thiosulfate)

Thermometer

Ice

Procedure:

·         hydrate cysts for 1-2 hours in FW at 26-28 C

·         chill seawater to 10 C

·         after hydration, rinse cysts thoroughly

·         prepare decapping solution by adding 15 gr of Naoh and 320 ml of liquid bleach to the chilled seawater

·         add the hydrated Artemia cysts and begin stirring this mixture

·         An exothermic oxidation reaction starts to occur and a color change will be noticed from a greyish color to an orange color.  Maintain this solution between 15 -- 20 C, adding ice as needed.

·         once color has completely changed to orange, pour this mixture through a 100-120 micron net and thoroughly rinse until no odor is detected.

·         the cysts may then be dipped in a 0.1% (100ppm) solution of sodium thiosulfate followed by another rinse of either fresh or salt water.

·         place cysts in hatching container for hatching at a density of 1-2 gr/lt.