Carotenoids in different body components of Indian shrimps

The quantitative and qualitative distribution of carotenoids in different body components of four species of shrimp (Penaeus monodon, Penaeus indicus, Metapenaeus dobsonii and Parapenaeopsis stylifera) harvested from shallow waters off the Indian coast was assessed. The highest total carotenoid contents were observed in the head (153.1 mug g(-1)) and carapace (104.7 mug g(-1)) of P stylifera, while the body components of P indicus showed the lowest carotenoid levels. Astaxanthin and its mono- and diesters were the major carotenoids (63.5-92.2% of total carotenoids) present in the carotenoid extracts from the shrimps, while the extracts contained low levels of beta-carotene and zeaxanthin. The major fatty acids in the carotenoid extracts were palmitic, heptadecanoic, palmitoleic, stearic and oleic acids. (C) 2004 Society of Chemical Industry.