Astaxanthin as feed supplement in aquatic animals

Abstract

Astaxanthin is a high value keto‐carotenoid pigment renowned for its commercial application in various industries comprising aquaculture, food, cosmetic, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical. Among the verified bio‐resources of astaxanthin are red yeast Phaffia rhodozyma and green alga Haematococcus pluvialis. The supreme antioxidant property of astaxanthin reveals its tremendous potential to offer manifold health benefits among aquatic animals which is a key driving factor triggering the upsurge in global demand for the pigment. Numerous scientific researches devoted over a number of years have persistently demonstrated the instrumental role of astaxanthin in targeting several animal health conditions. This review article evaluates the current best available evidence to judge the beneficial usage of astaxanthin in aquaculture industry. Most apparent is the profound effect on pigmentation, where astaxanthin is frequently utilized as an additive in formulated diets to boost and improve the coloration of many aquatic animal species, and subsequently product quality and price. Moreover, the wide range of other physiological benefits that this biological pigment confers to these animals is also presented which include various improvements in survival, growth performance, reproductive capacity, stress tolerance, disease resistance and immune‐related gene expression.

Effects of dietary astaxanthin and vitamin E and their interactions on the growth performance, pigmentation, digestive enzyme activity of kuruma shrimp (Marsupenaeus japonicus )

“…Moreover, all crustacean species carry free and esterified forms of various carotenoids, predominantly Ax. Increased levels of dietary carotenoid resulted in the accumulation of carotenoid esters in crustaceans (Lim, Yusoff, Shariff, & Kamarudin, ; Yamada et al, ). Considering our results, improved pigmentation expression in cooked shrimp was directly or indirectly affected by the levels of Ax deposition.…”

Interactive effects of dietary astaxanthin and cholesterol on the growth, pigmentation, fatty acid analysis, immune response and stress resistance of kuruma shrimp ( Marsupenaeus japonicus )

“…Together with the previous studies, proper supplementation of CHO can affect the growth performance of kuruma shrimp (Deshimaru & Kuroki., ; Shudo, Nakamura, Ishikawa, & Kitabayashi, ; Teshima, ). Gastrointestinal absorption and metabolism of Ax are known to be strongly influenced by the presence of certain dietary CHO levels (Lim et al, ). This is in line with results obtained by Niu et al () who found that not only 1 g/kg Ax but also the combination of 1 g/kg Ax and 10 g/kg CHO can significantly affect P. monodon growth.…”

“…Since carotenoids are lipid‐soluble compounds, the amount and type of fat present in the diet may influence carotenoid bioavailability (Regost, Jakobsen, & Rora, ). Studies in rainbow trout have provided evidence that absorption and metabolism of Ax were affected appreciably by dietary lipid (Lim, Yusoff, Shariff, & Kamarudin, ). An improvement in Ax deposition and coloration was found by increasing dietary CHO in Atlantic salmon and Penaeus monodon diets (Buttle, ; Niu et al, ).…”

Applications of microalga Chlorella vulgaris in aquaculture

“…In addition, the carotenoid enhances survival, growth performance, stress tolerance, physiology, disease resistance and immunity in various animal species (Lim et al . ).…”