Astaxanthin deposition in the flesh of Atlantic Salmon, Salmo salar L., in relation to dietary astaxanthin concentration and feeding period

Abstract

Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., were fed nine experimental diets containing from 0 to 200 mg astaxanthin per kg−1 for six time periods, ranging from 3 to 21 months, in sea cages at Matre Aquaculture Research Station, Matredal, Norway. The sampled fish had an initial mean weight of 115 g and reached a weight of 3.2 kg at the termination of the experiment. Every third month, 10 fish from each dose and time group were sampled and the astaxanthin concentration in the flesh determined. The amount of astaxanthin in the flesh ranged from 0.7 to 8.9 mg kg−1 at the termination of the experiment. This paper discusses deposition of astaxanthin in the flesh of Atlantic salmon in relation to dietary carotenoid levels in the 0–200 mg kg−1 range and feeding times of 3–21 months. Under the conditions of this experiment, no significant effect on astaxanthin deposition rate could be achieved by increasing the astaxanthin level above 60 mg kg dry feed−1. Atlantic salmon should be fed astaxanthin‐supplemented diets during the whole seawater stage in order to obtain maximal astaxanthin level in the flesh.

Countergradient Variation and Secondary Sexual Color: Phenotypic Convergence Promotes Genetic Divergence in Carotenoid Use Between Sympatric Anadromous and Nonanadromous Morphs of Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus Nerka)

“…Animals cannot synthesize carotenoids de novo, but must acquire them from their diet (Goodwin 1984). If dietary carotenoids are limited, both flesh color of immature fish (Steven 1947;Torrissen et al 1995;Olsen and Mortensen 1997) and subsequent skin color at maturity (Steven 1947;Scheidt et al 1988) are depressed (see also Kodric-Brown 1989).…”

Effects of dietary supplementation with krill meal on pigmentation and quality of flesh of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

“…The concentration of carotenoid pigments in salmonid muscles has been studied for many years with the aim of improving the efficiency of the pink-red colouration of the flesh and comparing the colour between wild and farmed salmon (Storebakken et al, 1987;Torrissen, 1989;Tibaldi and Ballestrazzi, 1990;Torrissen et al, 1995;Nickell and Springate, 2001). In fact, in farmed salmonids, flesh colour is the most important quality trait together with freshness and nutritional value of the product (Anderson, 2000).…”

How Apparent Digestibility of Carotenoids, Macronutrients, and Minerals are Differently Affected by Ration Level in Atlantic Salmon,Salmo Salar

“…The amount of carotenoid digested depends on feed intake, digestibility, and the concentration of carotenoids in the diet. It is well recognized that increasing the carotenoid concentration in the diet above 60 mg kg −1 only leads to a marginal increase in flesh carotenoid concentration, and that the retention in the flesh (in % of ingested amount) decreases with increasing dietary concentration (Torrissen 1985;Bjerkeng, Storebakken, & Liaaen-Jensen 1990;Torrissen et al 1995). This suggests that a certain maximum amount of carotenoids may be absorbed by the intestine per unit of time.…”