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Pigmentation of adult rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, using the green alga Haematococcus pluvialis

1992; Elsevier BV; Volume: 106; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/0044-8486(92)90250-o

1873-5622

Ted Sommer, Frances M. L. D’Souza, N.M. Morrissy,

Reproductive biology and impacts on aquatic species

A feeding trial was conducted to assess the effects of supplementing the diets of commercial-size trout with carotenoid-rich microalgae. The flesh colour scores, total carotenoid and astaxanthin levels in the flesh increased throughout the trial in groups receiving pigment supplements. Regression analyses demonstrated that the total carotenoid and astaxanthin levels were significantly related to the level of algal pigment in the diet (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 mg total carotenoid/kg feed). Analyses of total carotenoid in trout skin at the end of the trial (day 100) showed a similar trend. Addition of natural or synthetic pigment to the diet had a near significant effect on growth (P < 0.07). Microalgal supplements appeared to have no effect on survival. Algal pigment and synthetic astaxanthin (Roche Carophyll Pink) were compared at a similar inclusion rate ( 80 mg total carotenoid/kg feed). Synthetic astaxanthin resulted in significantly higher levels of total carotenoid and astaxanthin in the flesh. The algal pigment resulted in the deposition of small, but statistically significant, quantities of adonirubin. Possible causes for these differences are discussed.