Role of Astaxanthin in Aquaculture – A Review

By : C. Judith Betsy , J. Stephen Sampath Kumar

Page No: 49-57

Abstract
Carotenoids are tetraterpenoid organic pigments that are naturally occurring in the chloroplasts and chromoplasts of plants and in photosynthetic organisms like algae, some bacteria, and some types of fungus. They are a diverse family of organic compounds that act as immunostimulants and antioxidant. They also provide the basis for a wide range of animal pigmentation. Carotenoids when supplied to fish with feed easily get absorbed in the terminal part of the intestine and then transported by lipoproteins. Astaxanthin, a red colour carotenoid plays a vital role in aquaculture. It is one of the major feed additives used in the diet of finfishes and shellfishes because of its antioxidant activity

Authors :
C. Judith Betsy
Fisheries College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Fisheries University, Tuticorin, India

J. Stephen Sampath Kumar
Directorate of Sustainable Aquaculture, Tamil Nadu Fisheries University, Thanjavur, India.