Page 178 - 《水产学报》2025年第10期

姜晓东，等 水产学报, 2025, 49(10): 109612

Effect of five dietary carotenoids on gonad development,
antioxidant capability and pigmentation of adult female Chinese mitten crab
(Eriocheir sinensis)

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1,2
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JIANG Xiaodong , ZHANG Min , CHENG Yongxu , WU Xugan 1*
1. Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs,
National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education,
Shanghai Collaborative Innovation for Aquatic Animal Genetics and breeding,
Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China;
2. Institute of Mariculture Breeding and Seed Industry, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ningbo 315100, China

Abstract: Carotenoids are a group of natural, lipid-soluble bioactive pigments produced by photosynthetic organisms such
as plants, phytoplankton, algae, bacteria and some fungi. Beyond their typical pigmentation role in crustaceans, extensive
research has demonstrated multiple benefits—including improved growth, antioxidant activity, immune function, stress
tolerance and disease resistance —underscoring the fundamental importance of carotenoids for crustacean health.
Although more than 600 carotenoids have been identified in nature, only a few are absorbed and deposited in animal tis-
sues and fluids. In aquaculture feeds, the most studied carotenoids are astaxanthin (Axn), β-carotene (β-car), canthaxanthin
(Cxn), zeaxanthin, zeaxanthin (Zxn) and lutein (Lut). This study evaluated the effects of dietary carotenoids on growth, gonad
development, color parameters and carotenoid composition in adult female Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis. Six diets
were formulated to contain one of five carotenoids (Axn, β-car, Cxn, Lut and Lut) at about 100 mg/kg and a control treatment
was also studied without any carotenoid supplementation. The results showed that: (1) Feeding different carotenoids did not
result in any notable difference in gonad development, tissue index and survival of adult female E. sinensis among treatments,
but significant promotion of lipid content was observed in the hepatopancreas of carotenoids supplemented treatments.
(2) Indicators of antioxidant capacity (T-AOC, MDA), immunity (AKP, ACP) and physiological status (GPT, GOT) signific-
antly improved in the hepatopancreas and hemolymph of carotenoid supplemented treatments with the order of Axn > Cxn ≈ β-
car > Lut ≈ Zxn. (3) For colour enhancement, Axn and Cxn had a better effect on redness value improvement of ovary and hep-
atopancreas of E. sinensis, and β-car and Lut had a better effect on the yellow value improvement of adult female E. sinensis.
(4) In terms of carotenoid composition, all kinds of carotenoids can be effectively deposited and Axn has the highest deposition
efficiency in the ovary. No matter what kind of carotenoids were supplemented in the diet, Axn and β-car were the highest
carotenoids in the carapace and hepatopancreas, respectively. In conclusion, the efficacy of carotenoids as dietary pigments or
antioxidants is type-dependent, with Axn outperforming others in both antioxidant activity and colour enhancement in adult
female E. sinensis. These results advance understanding of carotenoid physiology and provide a basis for formulating func-
tional fattening diets for E. sinensis.
Key words: Eriocheir sinensis; fatting diets; carotenoids; culture performance; color parameters
Corresponding author: WU Xugan. E-mail: xgwu@shou.edu.cn

Funding projects: National Natural Science Foundation of China (31873041); Blue Granary Project of Ministry of Science and
Technology (2018YFD0900103); Special Project of Shanghai River Crab Industry System (2022-4)

https://www.china-fishery.cn 中国水产学会主办 sponsored by China Society of Fisheries
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