Accumulation of astaxanthin and canthaxanthin in muscle tissues of Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss W.) fed with xanthophyll supplemented feed

Abstract. In this study the rate of accumulation of both main pigments in Salmonidae - astaxanthin (AX) and canthaxanthin (CX) in different muscle tissues of Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss W.) and their distribution in flesh and heart was researched. Experimental fish were reared 100 days in two tanks as two -1 -1 parallel experimental groups and fed with market feed, containing 40 mg.kg AX and 25 mg.kg CX. The diet was according to the manufacturer's recommendations, which are consistent with fish size and water temperature. The accumulated pigment quantities in the muscle tissues, were measured every twenty days by high performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection after selective xanthophyll extraction. The highest rates of AX th th -1 and CX deposition were recorded on the 60 and 80 day. The average contents of AX and CX were at the end of the trial 1.943 ± 0.167 mg.kg and 0.807 ± -1 -1 -1 0.021 mg.kg in skeletal muscle and 0.683 ±0.055mg.kg and 0.280 ±0.017 mg.kg in cardio muscle, respectively.