A review of carotenoid utilisation and function in crustacean aquaculture

Abstract

Crustaceans are cultured extensively around the world in intensive farming systems. High‐performance formulated feeds have been developed for crustacean aquaculture, which are often supplemented with a number of natural and synthetic carotenoid sources. Studies over a number of years have consistently shown that dietary carotenoid supplementation is beneficial for crustacean aquaculture across a range of commercially relevant parameters. Most obvious is the effect on pigmentation, where carotenoid inclusion levels in feeds and duration of feeding diets with carotenoids have been optimised across many species to improve product colour, and subsequently quality and price. However, beneficial effects of carotenoid inclusion have increasingly been demonstrated on other parameters. This review updates the recent progress in our understanding of dietary carotenoid utilisation and storage, and the combined effects of diet, genetics and environment on crustacean pigmentation. In addition, the range of other physiological benefits this class of molecules brings to these animals is summarised. These include improvements in survival, growth, reproductive capacity, disease resistance and stress resistance.

Embryonic development of the southern surf crab <em>Ovalipes trimaculatus</em> (Decapoda: Brachyura: Portunoidea)

“…It is known that in marine organisms, including crustaceans, pigment content determines egg quality to a great extent due to its critical role in many metabolic processes, including egg respiration and vitamin A production, its protective action against the effects of oxygen, UV and ionizing radiation, and its function in gene expression, among others (Craik 1985, Kalinina et al 2009, Wade et al 2015. Egg colour progression throughout embryogenesis is common in crustaceans, and in general terms it reflects the initial consumption of typically yellow or orange-coloured yolk, superimposed on the production of red-, brown-and greycoloured pigments on chromatophores and eyes during advanced stages (Sigana 2002, Parimalam 2001.…”

Astaxanthin as feed supplement in aquatic animals

“…; Wade et al . ). Carotenoids particularly astaxanthin are recognized to be involved in the reproductive processes of many organisms due to their accumulation within reproductive organs (Goodwin ; Pangantihon‐Kuhlmann et al .…”

“…; Wade et al . ). Thus, it is not surprising that this carotenoid is frequently studied in relation to its effect on growth improvement and survival.…”

Assessment of potential trade‐off between maternal colouration and offspring quality in the ornamental “red cherry” shrimpNeocaridina davidi(Bouvier)

“…These include proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, free amino acids and antioxidants, such as carotenoids (Tropea & López Greco, ; Weiss, Kennedy, Safran & McGraw, ). Carotenoids are C 40 tetraterpenoids that are present in many aquatic animal tissues and are responsible for their bright colouration (Bjerkeng, ; Goodwin, ; Latscha, ; Wade, Gabaudan & Glencross, ). As carotenoids cannot be synthesized de novo , animals incorporate them through diet (Dall, Smith & Moore, ).…”