Food Modulation Controls Astaxanthin Accumulation in Eggs of the Sea Urchin Arbacia lixula

Abstract

The carotenoid astaxanthin has strong antioxidant properties with beneficial effects for various degenerative diseases. This carotenoid is produced by some microalgae species when cultivated in particular conditions, and, interestingly, it is a predominant carotenoid in aquatic animals throughout a broad range of taxa. Recently, astaxanthin was detected in the eggs of the sea urchin Arbacia lixula in relevant concentrations when this organism was maintained in culture. These results have paved the way for deeper research into astaxanthin production by this species, particularly in regards to how astaxanthin production can be modulated by diet. Results showed that the highest content of astaxanthin in eggs was observed in sea urchins fed on a diet enriched with Spirulina platensis. This result was confirmed by the high antioxidant activity recorded in the egg extracts of these animals. Our results suggest that (i) the sea urchin A. lixula is able to synthesize astaxanthin from precursors obtained from food, and (ii) it is possible to modulate the astaxanthin accumulation in sea urchin eggs by modifying the proportions of different food ingredients provided in their diet. This study demonstrates the large potential of sea urchin cultivation for the eco-sustainable production of healthy supplements for nutraceutical applications.

Chemosensitivity in the Sea Urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) to Food-Related Compounds: An Innovative Behavioral Bioassay

“…Apart from the antioxidant, pain-relief, anti-inflammatory, and brain-protective properties, Spirulina is known as a potent source of nutrients due to its chemical composition, which includes proteins, carbohydrates, essential amino acids, minerals, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and pigments (Gutiérrez-Salmeán et al, 2015). Recent studies on sea urchins confirmed several benefits of Spirulina-enriched diets which improved gonadic growth and gamete production in P. lividus (Cirino et al, 2017) and enhanced the content of astaxanthin, a carotenoid with antioxidant properties and beneficial effects for various degenerative diseases, in the egg of the sea urchin Arbacia lixula (Galasso et al, 2018). Although the present technique does not allow to correlate the animal sensitivity to the attractive degree exerted by the cyanobacteria, such a marked sensitivity of the animal is likely coupled to activation of a search strategy aimed at localizing Spirulina.…”

“…The following compounds, most of which already known for their potential feeding significance (Galasso et al, 2018;Casal-Porras et al, 2021), were selected as stimuli: the disaccharides trehalose, cellobiose, and sucrose, the monosaccharides glucose and fructose and the Spirulina Arthrospira platensis (Cyanobacteria). All sugars used were obtained from Sigma-Aldrich (Milan, Italy), while Spirulina was purchased from Livegreen Società Agricola (Italy) as a commercial pellet preparation.…”

On the Neuroprotective Role of Astaxanthin: New Perspectives?

“…Researchers are trying to improve the growth rate and astaxanthin yield of H. pluvialis by modulating several culture conditions [ 127 ]. In addition, preliminary studies have demonstrated the possibility of the natural astaxanthin production through sea urchin Arbacia lixula aquaculture without sacrifice them, since the natural carotenoid is accumulated in eggs [ 8 ]. For this reason, it is important to find a new and efficient process for the natural production of astaxanthin.…”

“…The most important producers of astaxanthin are the marine bacterium Agrobacterium aurantiacum , the green microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis and Chlorella zofingiensis , and the red yeast Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous (called also Phaffia rhodozyma ). Animals cannot synthesize astaxanthin but can obtain it through the diet [ 8 ]. Astaxanthin is thus present in salmon, trout, shrimp, lobster, and fish eggs which confers a reddish-orange hue to these organisms.…”

Microalgal Derivatives as Potential Nutraceutical and Food Supplements for Human Health: A Focus on Cancer Prevention and Interception

“…Astaxanthin, an aquatic life carotenoid, is present in some microalgae [123] and aquatic animals [124]. It displays a great antioxidant activity, almost 100 times higher than α-tocopherol, protecting cells against oxidative damage and lipids from peroxidation [125].…”