Effect of astaxanthin and vitamin A on growth and survival during first feeding of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.

Abstract

Abstract. The interactions of astaxanthin and vitamin A on the growth and survival of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., during the first‐feeding period were examined using semi‐purified diets. Alevins, with a mean initial weight of 0.18g, were fed diets supplemented with 0, 20 and 40 mg astaxanthin/kg dry diet and 0, 750 and 1500 μg vitamin A/kg dry diet for 20 weeks. The weights of the fish were recorded throughout the experimental period and carcasses were collected for proximate composition, vitamin A and astaxanthin analyses at the beginning and end of the experiment. The feeds were analysed for proximate composition, vitamin A and astaxanthin levels. No interaction between astaxanthin and vitamin A was found in relation to the growth, survival or vitamin A content of the fry. Astaxanthin was found to strongly influence the growth, survival and vitamin A concentration in the fish. Poor growth and low survival rates were observed in groups fed diets without astaxanthin, including the group fed a diet with sufficient vitamin A. The results indicate both a provitamin A function of astaxanthin and a specific function of astaxanthin. Astaxanthin was found to be essential to alevins during the first‐feeding period.

Effect of dietary astaxanthin on the growth performance, lipid composition and post-mortem skin colouration of red porgy Pagrus pagrus

“…Therefore, in the present trial, astaxanthin could have enhanced lipid utilization, lowering total lipid content in both whole fish and liver and consequently enhancing red porgy growth performance, as lipids are fish main energy source. However, carotenoids effect on fish growth is controversial, several studies have reported no effect (Nickell and Bromage 1998;Wathne et al 1998;Gomes et al 2002;Tejera et al 2007); while others have found a positive influence (Christiansen et al 1994(Christiansen et al , 1995Christiansen and Torrissen 1996); nevertheless, the mechanisms related to these findings have not yet been elucidated. Concerning fatty acid composition, it is generally accepted that fatty acids in fish tissues are directly related to dietary composition (Caballero et al 2002).…”

Astaxanthin as feed supplement in aquatic animals

“…Christiansen et al . () provided informative fact that 20–40 mg astaxanthin kg −1 dry feed exerted a profound effect on the specific growth rate and survivability of fry throughout the first‐feeding period of 20 weeks. In addition, Christiansen et al .…”

Using feed to enhance the color quality of fish and crustaceans

“…Astaxanthin has been shown to have positive effects on the growth and survival of salmonid fry during the start-feeding period (Torrissen, 1984;Christiansen et al, 1994Christiansen et al, , 1995a. Furthermore, studies by Torrissen and Christiansen (1994) and Christiansen and Torrissen (1996) indicated that a minimum dietary astaxanthin concentration was required for normal growth and survival of Atlantic salmon fry; this effect has been linked to a provitamin A function of astaxanthin.…”

“…Christiansen et al (1994) demonstrated that astaxanthin acts as a source of vitamin A in Atlantic salmon fry (Sa. salar).…”

“…Feed and Feeding Practices in Aquaculture 11.6.2.5 Provitamin A Astaxanthin has a provitamin A function in fish (Schiedt et al, 1985;Christiansen et al, 1994;White et al, 2003). Christiansen et al (1994) demonstrated that astaxanthin acts as a source of vitamin A in Atlantic salmon fry (Sa.…”