PIGMENTATION OF THE RAINBOW-TROUT (ONCORHYNCHUS-MYKISS) WITH OIL-EXTRACTED ASTAXANTHIN FROM THE LANGOSTILLA (PLEURONCODES-PLANIPES)

The effect of oil-extracted astaxanthin from the red crab or langostil la (Pleuroncoded planipes) on the growth and pigmentation of forty fiv e rainbow trouts (Oncorhynchus mykiss) was investigated by feeding a t est diet supplemented with 75 mg/kg of astaxanthin during six weeks an d compared with a control diet. The oil-extraction process of the pigm ent is described. Weight, flesh astaxanthin concentration, and color ( L, a*, b*) of the flesh were measured at 0, 3, and 6 weeks. No appare nt effect of astaxanthin supplementation was observed on fish developm ent. In spite of the low free astaxanthin amount in the diet (8%), an acceptable carotenoid concentration in the flesh (3,60+/-0,78 mg/kg, w /w), and a red hue (H degrees(ab)=44,13+/-2,36) were obtained at the e nd of the study. The red hue was strongly correlated with the caroteno id concentration (r=0,98).