Astaxanthin deposition in fillets of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L. fed two dietary levels of astaxanthin in combination with three levels of α-tocopheryl acetate |
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| Authors: | B Bjerkeng K Hamre B Hatlen & E Wathne |
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| Institution: | AKVAFORSK (Institute of Aquaculture Research AS), N-6600 Sunndalsøra, Norway;Institute of Nutrition, Directorate of Fisheries, PO Box 185, N-5002 Bergen, Norway;NorAqua Innovation AS, N-4335 Dirdal, Norway |
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| Abstract: | The influence of α-tocopheryl acetate (α-TOAc) on plasma concentration and fillet deposition of dietary astaxanthin was investigated in Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L. The diets were added 30 or 50 mg kg–1 astaxanthin, and 200, 400 or 800 mg kg–1α-TOAc at each astaxanthin level. Improved flesh deposition of astaxanthin by 8–14% was achieved for fish fed diets with 30 and 50 mg kg–1 astaxanthin, respectively, by the dietary addition of 800 compared with 200 mg kg–1α-TOAc. These results were supported by CIE1976]L*a*b* tristimulus redness measurements (a* value). Plasma astaxanthin concentration mirrored the muscle astaxanthin concentration in the groups of fish fed a diet containing 30 mg kg–1 astaxanthin. The salmon fed a high astaxanthin and low α-TOAc diet had the highest plasma concentration of idoxanthin (P < 0.05). Astaxanthin retention was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in salmon fed 30 mg kg–1 astaxanthin than in those fed 50 mg kg–1 astaxanthin, but was not significantly affected by dietary α-TOAc. Liver weight, body weight, specific growth rate, feed/gain ratio and mortalities were not affected by dietary α-TOAc levels. In conclusion, the dietary addition of α-TOAc appears to increase astaxanthin fillet deposition in salmonids and may reduce the demand for astaxanthin supplementation. The effect was rather small and requires verification. |
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