虾青素在虹鳟体内的沉积与降解研究

为研究着色虹鳟在摄食状态和饥饿状态下的虾青素降解规律,实验选用平均体质量为(101.9±1.3)g的未着色虹鳟和已着色虹鳟,对未着色虹鳟饲喂含虾青素(100 mg/kg)饲料以研究虾青素在机体的沉积规律(虾青素沉积组)；对着色虹鳟,饲喂含虾青素(100 mg/kg)饲料(正对照)、不含虾青素饲料(摄食降解组)或予以饥饿处理(饥饿降解组),实验共设4个处理组,每个处理组3个重复.实验共持续4周,每周采样一次,测定肌肉、肝脏和全鱼虾青素含量,血清类胡萝卜素含量,肌肉色差值(L*,a*,b*)和肌肉罗氏比色卡得分.结果表明,虾青素沉积组的虹鳟肌肉、肝脏虾青素含量、肌肉红度值和罗氏比色卡得分随饲养时间延长而增加(P＜0.05),在第3周时达到基本稳定,与第4周测定值无显著差异(P＞0.05)；在4周养殖期内,全鱼虾青素含量呈增加趋势,而全鱼虾青素沉积率则呈下降趋势,第1周、第4周时的全鱼虾青素含量和全鱼虾青素沉积率分别为3.71 mg/kg、8.59 mg/kg和21.31％、15.26％;饥饿降解组和摄食降解组虹鳟的全鱼、肌肉、肝脏虾青素含量、肌肉红度值和罗氏比色卡得分随养殖时间延长逐渐降低(P＜0.05),其中饥饿降解组的下降趋势更为明显,第3周后,这种降低趋势减缓.上述研究表明,在虹鳟饲料中添加100 mg/kg虾青素,经过3周饲养即可使肌肉达到着色要求,虾青素的沉积率随时间延长而下降；饥饿和投喂不含虾青素的饲料均可使已着色虹鳟肌肉虾青素含量和红色度显著下降,饥饿使虾青素的减少更加迅速,虾青素在鱼体内的减少量随时间的延长而降低.     

三倍体虹鳟饲料虾青素添加策略探讨

选择17万余尾平均体重约1 kg的三倍体虹鳟(Oncorhynchus mykiss)进行饲料虾青素水平对三倍体虹鳟生长性能、出成率和肌肉着色影响的中试试验。试验设计3种饲料配方，分别在同一商业饲料配方基础上添加20、30 mg/L和40 mg/L的虾青素。在周长100 m的圆形商业网箱中进行为期10个月的养殖投喂，每种饲料投喂3个网箱。结果表明：添加40 mg/L虾青素饲料组三倍体虹鳟增重率和饲料系数方面均表现出优势；添加40 mg/L虾青素饲料组三倍体虹鳟肝脏小，肝色好，肥满度高；添加40 mg/L和30 mg/L虾青素饲料分别在商品鱼上市前七个月和九个月进行投喂，肉色即可达到标准(SalmoFanTM值>28)。     

饲料中添加核苷酸对凡纳滨对虾幼虾生长、组织生化组成及非特异性免疫功能的影响

选用960尾初始体重为(0.43?0.01) g 的凡纳滨对虾,随机分为8组,分别投喂基础饲料和7种添加核苷酸混合物(mix-NT)的试验饲料,5种核苷酸(5′-腺苷酸∶5′-胞苷酸∶5′-尿苷酸二钠∶5′-肌苷酸二钠∶5′-鸟苷酸二钠)按照质量比为1∶1∶1∶1∶1(W/W)混合,添加量分别为0.1、0.2、0.4、0.6、0.8、1.0和1.2 g/kg 饲料,试验周期为5周。结果显示,当mixNT添加量为0.4 g/kg饲料时,凡纳滨对虾的增重率(WGR)、特定生长率(SGR)和摄食量(FI)显著高于对照组(P<0.05),饲料系数(FCR)比对照组降低5.5%(P>0.05)。0.6和1.0 g/kg mix-NT添加组的蛋白质沉积率(PDR)显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。试验组对虾存活率(SR)和肝胰指数(HSI)均不同程度的高于对照组,但差异不显著(P>0.05)。饲料中添加mix-NT对全虾粗脂肪、灰分含量的影响显著(P<0.05),各mix-NT添加组的全虾干物质和粗蛋白含量均高于对照组,但差异未达到显著水平(P>0.05)。肝胰腺RNA含量和总蛋白(TP)含量均随饲料中mix-NT添加量的增加而升高,其中0.2~1.0 g/kg组的肝胰腺RNA含量显著高于对照组(P<0.05),TP含量差异未达到显著水平(P>0.05);各mixNT添加组的肠道TP含量均显著高于对照组(P<0.05),0.4和0.6 g/kg组的肠道RNA量极显著高于对照组(P<0.01)。外源mix-NT显著降低血清尿酸(UA)含量(P<0.05),但对TP、谷丙转氨酶(GPT)、高密度脂蛋白(HDL)含量无显著影响(P>0.05)。当mix-NT添加量为1.2 g/kg 饲料时,血清中谷草转氨酶(GOt)活性显著性升高(P<0.05)。鳃和肌肉酚氧化酶(PO)活性均在0.4 g/kg组达到最大,其中0.1～0.6 g/kg 组的鳃PO活性显著高于对照组(P<0.05),而各组肌肉PO活性无显著差异(P>0.05)。凡纳滨对虾肝胰腺和血清中溶菌酶(LZM)活性随饲料中mix-NT添加量的增加而显著升高(P<0.05)。结果表明,饲料中添加一定量的5种核苷酸混合物能显著提高凡纳滨对虾幼虾的增重率、特定生长率、摄食量、蛋白质沉积率、全虾粗脂肪和灰分含量,一定程度提高全虾粗蛋白和肝胰腺总蛋白含量,显著增加肝胰腺RNA、肠道总蛋白和RNA含量,提高对虾的非特异性免疫功能。     

投喂虾青素对哲罗鲑虾青素含量和抗氧化力的影响

水温12～18℃,将体质量(435.63±21.32) g的哲罗鲑饲养在6.0 m×2.5 m×1.2 m的流水水泥池中,投喂含100 mg/kg人工合成虾青素(对照组)和10、20、40、60 mg/kg天然虾青素(雨生红球藻)饲料,每两周检测试验鱼肌肉中的虾青素含量和鳃、肝脏、前肠、后肠、幽门垂、肌肉、血清、血细胞的总抗氧化能力和碱性磷酸酶活性,研究人工合成虾青素和天然虾青素对肌肉中虾青素含量及其组织抗氧化力的影响。70 d的饲养结果显示:(1)与对照组相比,20 mg/kg和40 mg/kg组的试验鱼虾青素含量显著升高(P0.05),且40 mg/kg含量组试验鱼虾青素含量显著优于20 mg/kg组(P0.05);(2)各组试验鱼鳃、肝脏、前肠、后肠、幽门垂、血清、血细胞的总抗氧化能力显著高于对照组(P0.05);(3)各组试验鱼鳃、后肠、幽门垂、肌肉、血清、血细胞的碱性磷酸酶活性显著高于对照组(P0.05)。试验结果表明,与添加100 mg/kg人工合成虾青素相比,饲料中添加20～40 mg/kg天然虾青素,能显著提高哲罗鲑肌肉虾青素含量、总抗氧化能力以及碱性磷酸酶活性,建议哲罗鲑饲料中天然虾青素添加量为40 mg/kg。     

饲料锌添加水平对凡纳滨对虾免疫抗菌机能和溶菌酶mRNA及Toll受体mRNA表达的影响

在基础饲料中添加不同水平蛋氨酸锌(添加水平分别为0、50、150 mg Zn/kg)并饲喂凡纳滨对虾,养殖14 d后,取样测定对虾鳃组织中Toll受体mRNA和溶菌酶mRNA的表达水平以及肝胰腺、肌肉和血淋巴中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和溶菌酶(LSZ)活性,并进行溶藻弧菌人工急性感染试验。结果表明,凡纳滨对虾肝胰腺及肌肉中锌蓄积水平随饲料锌添加量的增加而显著增加(P<0.05),肝胰腺中锌蓄积更明显。添加50 mg Zn/kg组(锌含量为73.25 mg Zn/kg饲料)对虾鳃组织中的Toll受体mRNA和溶菌酶mRNA表达量均显著高于未添加锌组和添加150 mg Zn/kg组(P<0.05)。添加50 mg Zn/kg组对虾肌肉、肝胰腺和血淋巴中溶菌酶活性显著高于未添加锌组(P<0.05)。添加50 mg Zn/kg组对虾肝胰腺和血淋巴中的SOD活性也显著高于未添加锌组,但与添加150 mg Zn/kg组无显著差异。而肌肉中SOD活性在添加150 mg Zn/kg组中最高。经溶藻弧菌人工急性感染后,添加50 mg Zn/kg组对虾半致死时间和全致死时间大于未添加锌组和添加150 mg Zn/kg组。本研究表明,相比摄食未添加锌组饲料和添加150 mg Zn/kg组饲料,凡纳滨对虾的免疫抗菌机能在摄取添加50 mg Zn/kg(锌含量为73.25 mg Zn/kg饲料)饲料时得到改善。     

叶黄素和虾青素对大黄鱼体色及抗氧化能力的影响

为了探讨饲料色素对大黄鱼成鱼体色及其抗氧化能力的影响,在基础饲料中分别添加0 mg/kg(对照组D1)、100 mg/kg(D2)、200 mg/kg(D3)、300 mg/kg(D4)叶黄素和虾青素(1∶1)混合色素配制成4种等氮等能饲料,选择平均体质量为(365.54±5.83)g的大黄鱼1 800尾,随机分为4组,每组设置3个重复,每个重复150尾,进行为期60 d投喂试验。结果表明,投喂30 d后,色素添加组大黄鱼背部和腹部皮肤的黄色值(b*)显著高于对照组(P0.05);实验结束时,除D2组的大黄鱼腹部皮肤的红色值(a*)显著高于其他组(P0.05)外,各组之间大黄鱼背部及腹部皮肤亮度值(L*)和红色值(a*)均无显著性差异(P0.05),各色素添加组的大黄鱼背部和腹部皮肤的黄色值(b*)无显著性差异(P0.05),但均显著高于对照组(P0.05);大黄鱼肝脏总抗氧化能力(TAOC)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性均随着色素添加水平的上升而升高,丙二醛(MDA)含量随着色素添加水平的上升而降低。因此,在本试验条件下,饲料中添加叶黄素和虾青素(1∶1)混合色素可以改善大黄鱼成鱼体色及提高其抗氧化能力,综上并考虑饲料成本,建议混合色素添加量为100~200 mg/kg。     

不同饲料能量源及其水平对凡纳滨对虾生长、抗氧化能力及蛋白质利用的影响

为探究不同饲料能量源及其水平对凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)生长性能的影响, 以饲料蛋白质含量为 37%, 蛋白能量比为 20.23 mg/kJ 的饲料作为对照组饲料(C), 在此基础上分别通过提高饲料碳水化合物、脂肪含量调节饲料能量水平, 制作饲料蛋白能量比分别为 19.51 mg/kJ (中碳水化合物组, MC)、18.85 mg/kJ (高碳水化合物组, HC)、19.45 mg/kJ (中脂肪组, ML)和 18.54 mg/kJ (高脂肪组, HL)的 4 组实验饲料, 在淡水养殖条件下投喂初始体重为(0.6±0.02) g 的凡纳滨对虾幼虾 56 d。结果表明, 与对照组相比, 提升饲料脂肪水平能显著提高凡纳滨对虾的生长性能和蛋白质沉积率(P＜0.05), HL 组凡纳滨对虾获得最大特定生长率及蛋白质沉积率; 增加饲料碳水化合物水平对凡纳滨对虾的生长性能及蛋白质沉积率无显著影响(P＞0.05)。与对照组相比, ML 组、MC 组、HC 组对虾肌肉粗蛋白含量显著提高(P＜0.05), HL 组对虾肌肉粗蛋白含量较对照组有所提高, 但差异不显著(P＞0.05), 对虾肌肉总脂肪含量则随着饲料能量水平提高均显著增高(P＞0.05)。ML 组、HL 组、MC 组、HC 组对虾肝胰腺蛋白酶、 脂肪酶活性较对照组均显著增高(P＜0.05)。MC 组与 HC 组对虾肝胰腺淀粉酶活性显著高于对照组(P＞0.05), ML 组与 HL 组对虾肝胰腺淀粉酶活性较照组无显著性差异(P＞0.05)。与对照组相比, 在同一蛋白水平下提高饲料脂肪水平会导致对虾血清谷丙转氨酶(GPT)活性及甘油三酯(TG)含量显著提升(P＜0.05), 同时 HL 组对虾血清谷草转氨酶 (GOT)活性较对照组显著增高(P＜0.05), 提高饲料碳水化合物水平同样会提升对虾血清 GPT 活性与 TG 含量 (P＜0.05), 但对血清 GOT 活性无显著性影响(P＞0.05)。相同蛋白水平下, ML 组与 HL 组对虾血清及肝胰腺丙二醛 (MDA)含量显著高于对照组(P＜0.05), MC 组与 HC 组对虾血清及肝胰腺 MDA 含量较对照组显著增高(P＜0.05), HC 组与 HL 组对虾血清碱性磷酸酶(AKP)活性显著高于对照组(P＜0.05); 与对照组相比, 提高饲料脂肪水平能显著提升对虾血清及肝胰腺的总抗氧化能力(T-AOC), 而随着饲料碳水化合物水平提升, 对虾血清 T-AOC 得到提升, 肝胰腺 T-AOC 呈现先升后降的趋势(P＜0.05), 过氧化氢酶(CAT)呈现先降后升的趋势(P＜0.05)。结果表明, 本研究条件下饲料脂肪含量为 9.59%, 蛋白能量比为 18.54 mg/kJ 组凡纳滨对虾表现出最佳生长性能, 相比碳水化合物, 脂肪更适于作为凡纳滨对虾的饲料能量物质。     

饲料中茶树油与虾青素对克氏原螯虾生长性能、抗氧化能力及免疫相关基因表达的影响

为探究饲料中茶树油与虾青素对克氏原螯虾(Procambarus clarkii)生长性能、抗氧化能力及免疫相关基因表达的影响, 设计了 6 组等氮等能饲料, 分别为基础饲料组(CT)、50 mg/kg 虾青素组(AS50)、50 mg/kg 虾青素与 50 mg/kg 茶树油组(AS50+AST50)、50 mg/kg 虾青素与 100 mg/kg 茶树油组(AS50+AST100)、50 mg/kg 虾青素与 200 mg/kg 茶树油组(AS50+AST200)、50 mg/kg 虾青素与 400 mg/kg 茶树油组(AS50+AST400), 进行了 8 周的养殖实验。添加了虾青素后, AS50 组与 CT 组相比, 饵料系数显著降低(P＜0.05), 末均重、增重率、特定生长率虽有提高但差异不显著(P＞0.05), 血淋巴及肠道中总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)显著提高(P＜0.05), 肠道丙二醛(MDA)含量显著降低(P＜0.05), Crustin、Astacidin、CuZnSOD 以及 HSP70 基因表达显著升高(P＜0.05)。添加了虾青素与茶树油后, AS50+AST100 组末均重, 增重率, 特定生长率, 总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)均显著高于 AS50 和 CT 组(P＜0.05), 肠道丙二醛含量显著低于 AS50 组和 CT 组(P＜0.05)。肠道组织 Crustin 与 Astacidin 基因随茶树油含量提高, 其表达量呈升高趋势, AS50+ AST50 组显著低于其余各组(P＜0.05), CuZnSOD 表达量随茶树油浓度提高呈先升高后降低趋势, AS50+AST50 以及 AS50+AST100 显著高于其余各组(P＜0.05)。HSP70 表达量随茶树油含量的提高与对照 CT 组差异显著(P＜0.05)。 研究结果显示, 饲料中存在 50 mg/kg 虾青素条件下, 添加 100 mg/kg 茶树油可以提高克氏原螯虾抗氧化能力与免疫能力, 促进生长。     

小麦基础饲料添加木聚糖酶对尼罗罗非鱼肠道菌群的影响

以尼罗罗非鱼［体重(100.39±17.83) g］为实验对象，小麦基础饲料为对照，小麦基础饲料中分别添加不同水平的木聚糖酶(0.05%、0.10%、0.15%)作为实验饲料。每个处理设5个重复，每个重复放养40尾雄性尼罗罗非鱼。饱食投喂，饲养78 d后测定尼罗罗非鱼肠道细菌总量，并对需氧菌和厌氧菌进行鉴定，旨在研究木聚糖酶调控肠道菌群、促进尼罗罗非鱼生长的机理。结果表明，0.10%组和0.15%组前肠需氧菌数量显著低于对照组(P<0.05)，0.05%组、0.10%组和0.15%组中肠需氧菌数量显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。实验组后肠需氧菌数量均显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。0.15%组前肠厌氧菌数量比对照组、0.05%组和0.10%组分别降低76.85%(P<0.05)、75.62%(P<0.05)、75.83%(P<0.05)。0.10%组和0.15%组中肠厌氧菌数量显著低于对照组和0.05%组(P<0.05)。0.05%组、0.10%组和0.15%组后肠厌氧菌数量分别比对照组降低13.13%(P>0.05)、48.30%(P<0.05)、60.62%(P<0.05)。小麦基础饲料中添加木聚糖酶，主要影响需氧菌Ent.，Bac.和厌氧菌Bact.，Bif.，Lac.的组成比例。0.05%组、0.10%组和0.15%组前肠Ent.比例较对照组分别降低13.16%(P>0.05)、29.61%(P<0.05)、49.34%(P<0.05)。实验组前肠Bac.比例显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。0.10%组和0.15%组中肠、后肠Bac.比例显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。0.15%组前肠Lac.比例显著高于对照组和0.05%组(P<0.05)。对照组前肠Bact.比例显著高于0.10%组和0.15%组(P<0.05)。实验组中肠Bif.组成比例较对照组有显著提高(P<0.05)。0.15%组中肠Lac.比例显著高于对照组和0.05%组(P<0.05)。0.10%组和0.15%组中肠Bact.比例较对照组明显下降(P<0.05)。本研究认为，小麦基础饲料中添加木聚糖酶，可以调控尼罗罗非鱼肠道菌群，降低肠道致病菌Ent.和Bact.的组成比例，提高有益菌Bac.，Bif.和Lac.的组成比例。     

饲料中添加桑叶黄酮对凡纳滨对虾生长性能、抗氧化指标及抗胁迫能力的影响

为了探讨桑叶黄酮对凡纳滨对虾（Litopenaeus vannamei）生长性能、体成分、血清生化和抗氧化指标的影响，选用初始体重为（1.32±0.01）g的凡纳滨对虾960尾，随机分为6组（每组4个重复，每个重复40尾），分别投喂在基础饲料中添加0、10 mg/kg、50 mg/kg、100 mg/kg、150 mg/kg和300 mg/kg桑叶黄酮的实验饲料，饲养50 d后测定成活率、生长相关指标、血清生化指标、抗氧化指标及抗低氧胁迫能力。结果显示，饲料中添加桑叶黄酮对凡纳滨对虾成活率、增重率、特定生长率、饲料系数等无显著影响（P>0.05）。饲料中添加桑叶黄酮对凡纳滨对虾体成分无显著性影响（P>0.05）。添加150 mg/kg和300 mg/kg桑叶黄酮可显著提高凡纳滨对虾血清谷丙转氨酶和谷草转氨酶活性（P<0.05）。添加10~300 mg/kg桑叶黄酮可显著提高血清和肝脏总抗氧化能力，显著降低肝胰腺丙二醛和脂质过氧化物的含量，添加50 mg/kg桑叶黄酮可提高血清谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶的活性（P<0.05）。低氧胁迫2 h时，10 mg/kg、50 mg/kg组的累计死亡率显著低于对照组（P<0.05）；在低氧胁迫4 h时，10 mg/kg、50 mg/kg、100 mg/kg组的累计死亡率显著低于对照组（P<0.05）。结果表明，以血清总抗氧化能力为评价指标进行回归分析得出，桑叶黄酮在凡纳滨对虾饲料中的适宜添加量为56.18 mg/kg，添加10~100 mg/kg桑叶黄酮可提高凡纳滨对虾抗低氧胁迫能力。     

Response of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to varying dietary astaxanthin/canthaxanthin ratio: colour and carotenoid retention of the muscle

Rainbow trout with an average initial weight of 160 g were fed during 42 days diets containing varied keto‐carotenoids astaxanthin (Ax)/canthaxanthin (Cx) ratio, as follows: Ax 100% : Cx 0%; Ax 75% : Cx 25%; Ax 50% : Cx 50%; Ax 25% : Cx 75% and Ax 0% : Cx 100%. Muscle colour and carotenoid muscle retention were studied. Colour parameter values for mixed astaxanthin–canthaxanthin‐fed fish were intermediate between those obtained for Ax 0% : Cx 100% fed fish group and for Ax 100% : Cx 0% fed fish group. Concerning muscle carotenoid retention, it has been observed that as the level of canthaxanthin in diet increased, the muscle total carotenoid retention decreased. In the mean time, as the level of canthaxanthin in diet increased, the muscle astaxanthin retention decreased while that of canthaxanthin increased. The results reported here provide further evidence of non‐beneficial effects in terms of muscle colour and muscle carotenoid retention of the use of varying dietary astaxanthin/canthaxanthin ratio for feeding rainbow trout compared to values obtained for astaxanthin‐only feed.     

The effect of feed pigment type on flesh pigment deposition and colour in farmed Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.

The characteristic pink colour of salmonid flesh is a result of deposition of naturally occurring carotenoid pigments. Achieving successful pigmentation in farmed salmonids is a vital aspect of fish farming and commercial feed production. Currently commercial diets for farmed salmonids contain either or both of the synthetic pigments commercially available, astaxanthin and canthaxanthin. Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. ( = 220 g initial weight) were given feeds where the pigment source was astaxanthin only, canthaxanthin only or a astaxanthin/canthaxanthin mix. The rearing environment was 12 × 3 m tanks supplied with sea water at the EWOS research farm Lønningdal, near Bergen, Norway. As the proportion of dietary canthaxanthin increased, flesh pigment levels also showed an increase; the pigment content in the muscle of canthaxanthin‐only fed fish was 0.4 mg kg^?1 (or 14%) higher than that of the astaxanthin‐only fed fish, with the mixed pigment fed fish being intermediate between the two extremes. Results of cross‐section assessment for Minolta colorimeter redness (a*) values and Roche Salmofan^TM scores also showed an increase in colour with increasing proportions of canthaxanthin in the feed. The data reported clearly indicates that S. salar ( = 810 g final weight) of this size deposit canthaxanthin more efficiently than they do astaxanthin. These results contrast with those obtained by other authors with rainbow trout, Oncorynchus mykiss (Walbaum), and imply that the absorption or utilization of the pigments differs between species.     

Utilization of carotenoids from various sources by rainbow trout: muscle colour,carotenoid digestibility and retention

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) with a mean (sd) weight of 120 (2) g were fed diets supplemented with astaxanthin extracted from the yeast Phaffia rhodozyma (OY1 = 50 mg carotenoids kg^–1 feed, OY2 = 100 mg carotenoids kg^–1 feed), astaxanthin (AX = 100 mg astaxanthin kg^–1 feed) and canthaxanthin (CX = 100 mg canthaxanthin kg^–1 feed) for 4 weeks. Muscle analyses at the end of the experiment indicated a significantly higher carotenoid concentration in the AX group, while CX and OY1 groups were similar in spite of the differences in dietary concentration. The measure of total muscle colour difference (E^* _ab) between initial samples and 4 week ones was higher for the AX fish group but showed no significant difference between OY1, OY2, and CX. The hue and the reflectance ratio (R₆₅₀:R₅₁₀) of fish muscle increased in proportion to carotenoid intake. Digestibility (ADC) of yeast astaxanthin in OY1 and OY2 groups was significantly higher than that in the AX group. Canthaxanthin ADC was about one sixth of that of astaxanthin (AX group). Carotenoid retention in the muscle, expressed as a percentage of carotenoid intake, was higher for the AX group than that recorded for OY1 and OY2. According to ADC, carotenoid retention showed a marked lower value for the CX group. Muscle retentions were similar for astaxanthins from both sources.     

Effects of dietary keto-carotenoids (canthaxanthin and astaxanthin) on the reproductive performance of female rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)

The aim of this study was to clarify further the relationship between dietary keto-carotenoids (canthaxanthin and astaxanthin) and reproductive performance in female rainbow trout. Three experiments were undertaken in three successive breeding seasons. In addition to a control diet, fish were fed a canthaxanthin-supplemented diet (200 mg canthaxanthin kg⁻¹ feed, designated as 6mC200) for 6 months prior to spawning (experiment A); the same diet as in A but for either 3 months (3mC200) or 6 months (6mC200) before spawning (experiment B); diets with one of two levels of astaxanthin supplementation, 50 mg (6mA50) or 100 mg (6mA100) kg⁻¹ feed, or a diet with 100 mg canthaxanthin kg⁻¹ feed (6mC100) fed for 6 months (experiment C).
There was no significant influence of carotenoid supplementation on either the frequency of maturing females or the date of maturation. The number of ova per kg of female body weight averaged 2700 and did not vary significantly among fish fed the different diets. Across experiments A, B and C there was no significant difference in egg and larval survival among fish fed carotenoid-supplemented and control diets. In experiment A, 6mC200 females produced smaller eggs than controls but this result was not confirmed in experiments B and C. In general, eyed egg yield appeared partly dependent upon egg size. Alevin weight was also correlated with egg weight. The growth test conducted on fingerlings from experiment B failed to provide any evidence of an effect of feeding carotenoid supplemented diets to the female parent. Pigment analyses conducted on alevins revealed that canthaxanthin fed to the female parent was transferred into the eggs and therefore to the larvae, although canthaxanthin was metabolized within a few weeks after hatching.     

Effects of starvation and feeding on canthaxanthin depletion in the muscle of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri Rich.)

An experiment was conducted to examine carotenoid depletion in the muscle of rainbow trout. After 4 weeks of ingestion of canthaxanthin, fish were divided into two groups: the first was fed the same diet but without the canthaxanthin, the second was starved. Lipid and canthaxanthin levels in epaxial muscle were followed for 38 days. The lipid content increased (× 1.84) in fed fish and remained stable in those which were starved. Fed fish lost more canthaxanthin than starved fish. The ratio of the relative weight gain of canthaxanthin to that of the lipids was higher in starved than in fed fish (0.91 and 0.69 respectively). It is concluded that an internal redistribution of canthaxanthin takes place in the absence of an intake of the pigment. These results also show that the muscle of rainbow trout has a high storage capacity.     

Effect of dietary bile extracts on serum response of astaxanthin in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss): a preliminary study

Effects of porcine bile extracts added at three different dietary concentrations 0, 10 and 20 g kg^?1 were studied on astaxanthin serum concentration in rainbow trout (mean weight 200 ± 7 g). Astaxanthin from micro‐algae Haematococcus pluvialis and synthetic astaxanthin (CAROPHYLL® pink) were incorporated in diets of rainbow trout at a rate of 100 mg astaxanthin kg^?1 of feed. Fish were hand fed twice a day. After 5 days of feeding there was a significant effect of the pigment source on the ratio (total blood astaxanthin per unit body weight to cumulative astaxanthin intake per unit body weight). Trout receiving synthetic astaxanthin showed a significantly (P < 0.05) higher ratio than trout fed algal astaxanthin. Increasing dietary bile extract did not lead to produce any effect on this ratio. The power of the statistical analysis is discussed. Therefore, the interaction (pigment source × dietary bile concentration) showed no more effect.     

Effects of E/Z Isomers and Coating Materials of Astaxanthin Products on the Pigmentation and Antioxidation of Rainbow Trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of four astaxanthin preparations with different ratio of E/Z (trans/cis) isomers and different coating materials on the pigmentation and antioxidation properties of rainbow trout. Five diets were designed as basal diet (without astaxanthin supplementation) and four astaxanthin diets (100 mg/kg diet) supplemented with four astaxanthin products, BASF (79% all‐E, gelatin coated), Wisdom‐B (85% all‐E, gelatin coated), Wisdom‐C (94% all‐E, carrageenan coated), and Wisdom‐D (94% all‐E, gelatin coated). After 4 wk feeding, the flesh astaxanthin content, redness, and yellowness of astaxanthin‐supplemented groups were higher than those of control group at the second and fourth week (P < 0.05). Among these astaxanthin‐supplemented groups, the Wisdom‐B group had the highest flesh redness and astaxanthin content. The astaxanthin‐supplemented groups also had the lower flesh frozen loss and malondialdehyde level than control group at the fourth week (P < 0.05). The results indicated that dietary 100 mg/kg astaxanthin could improve the flesh redness and antioxidation abilities of rainbow trout. The ration of E/Z isomers and properties of coating materials of astaxanthin preparations influenced the pigmentation and antioxidation properties, and Wisdom‐B had a better pigmentation effect on the flesh than other astaxanthin preparations.     

Utilization of (3S,3'S)-astaxanthin acyl esters in pigmentation of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The deposition of natural, optically active, astaxanthin fatty acid esters in rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ) was studied. Mono-esterified and di-esterified (3 S ,3' S ) astaxanthin were purified from the green microalga Haematococcus pluvialis and incorporated into extruded diets and compared with diets containing synthetic racemic astaxanthin (Carophyll Pink) and a total carotenoid extract from the alga. All sources of astaxanthin achieved >4 mg kg⁻¹ in the white muscle after 6 weeks feeding. No significant difference ( P  > 0.05) between the deposition of astaxanthin or total carotenoid for the different diets was observed. Other xanthophylls, namely lutein, zeaxanthin and idoxanthin were found in the white muscle of rainbow trout fed all diets and together accounted for 10–14% of total carotenoid. Astaxanthin was deposited in the white muscle in the stereochemical form administered in the diet, i.e. racemic astaxanthin for Carophyll Pink and ˜100% (3 S ,3' S )-astaxanthin for the algal sources. In contrast, epimerization of (3 S ,3' S ) astaxanthin from the alga was observed for the astaxanthin esters deposited in the skin of rainbow trout, with a ratio close to 1.0:2.0:1.0 (3 S ,3' S :3 R ,3' S :3 R ,3' R ).     

Use of Chlorella vulgaris as a carotenoid source for rainbow trout: effect of dietary lipid content on pigmentation, digestibility and retention in the muscle tissue

Apparent digestibility, deposition and retention of carotenoids in the muscle of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, were investigated comparing the feeding of pigments from Chlorella vulgaris against commercially available pigments at two different total lipid contents (15% and 20% lipid). Algal biomass (ALG) was included in rainbow trout diets and muscle pigmentation was compared to that obtained in trout fed diets containing a 5:3 mixture of canthaxanthin and astaxanthin (MIX) (reflecting the relative concentrations of these carotenoids in the dry alga) or those fed a diet containing astaxanthin only (AST). Apparent digestibilities of pigments and nutrients were determined by the indirect method, using Cr2 O3 as indicator, and the colour intensity and pigment concentration were assessed in the muscle, using the Roche colour card for salmonids and UV-vis spectrophotometry. After 6 weeks feeding, colour intensity was similar for the various pigment sources, achieving levels 12 to 13, yet significantly higher in fish fed the diet with the higher lipid content ( 20%) (p<0.05). Pigment concentration in the muscle was also higher in the fish fed the high-fat diet. Muscle pigment concentrations were similar for fish fed diets ALG and MIX, and over 1.5 times higher than for diet AST (p<0.05) after 6 weeks. Apparent digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, lipid, total energy and specific carotenoid concentrations were also measured. Increased dietary fat content was shown to increase the deposition and the retention of carotenoids in muscle, and the difference increased with time (deposition increase of 10–20% at week 3 and 30–40% at week 6 and retention increase of 10–15% at week 3 and 30% at week 6). Pigment digestibility also apparently increases (10–20%) under those conditions despite the fact that no significant effects in terms of apparent digestibility increase were found for dry matter, protein, lipids or energy. © Rapid Science Ltd. 1998     

Effect of carotenoids on body colour of discus fish (Symphysodon aequifasciatus axelrodi Schultz, 1960)

This study assessed the effects of three kinds of carotenoids on the body colour of solid red discus fish (Symphysodon aequifasciatus axelrodi Schultz, 1960). Astaxanthin, xanthophylls and canthaxanthin were added into the beef heart diet at the level of 350 mg kg^?1 respectively. In the astaxanthin group (group A), the carotenoid concentration (CC) in the skin and dorsal fin reached saturation levels on days 40 and 20 respectively. However, CC consistently increased in the muscle. In the xanthophyll group (group B), CC in the skin increased through day 20; CC in the dorsal fin increased from days 10 to 20. In the canthaxanthin group (group C), CC in the skin increased during the first 20 days, reaching saturation levels on day 10 in the dorsal fin and muscle. On day 50, CC in the skin and muscle of group A was significantly higher than that of groups B or C. There were no significant differences in dorsal fin CC among the groups; however, CC in group C reached saturation levels in the shortest time. Therefore, astaxanthin was the most effective pigment for the skin and muscle; xanthophyll was the most effective pigment for the dorsal fin.