Dietary pigmentation and deposition of alpha-tocopherol and carotenoids inrainbow trout muscle and liver tissue

Rainbow trout(Oncorhynchus mykiss) were fed diets supplemented with canthax anthin, oleoresin paprika and alpha-tocopherol. Canthaxanthin was more effi ciently absorbed (3.8-7.9 mg/kg) in the flesh of rainbow trout than the pap rika carotenoids (2.4-3.1 mg/kg), With increased pigmentation, decrease in lightness (L*) and hue angle, and increase in redness (a*) of the muscle we re observed. Canthaxanthin produced more desirable reddish-pink color. Depo sition of alpha-tocopherol in liver and muscle tissue increased with increa se in dietary alpha-tocopheryl acetate. Fish receiving lower alpha-tocopher yl acetate reached maximum deposition levels earlier than those fed higher levels. There was no effect of alpha-tocopherol and carotenoid levels on mu scle fatty acid composition.