Carotenoids inSolonocera indicaandAristeus alcocki, Deep-Sea Shrimp from Indian Waters

Carotenoids are the major pigments responsible for the color of crustaceans like shrimp. Quantitative and qualitative distribution of carotenoids in different body components of deep-sea shrimp Solonocera indica and Aristeus alcocki, from Indian waters were assessed. The yield of waste (head and carapace) from processing of these shrimp ranged from 62.6–65.6%. Carotenoid content was higher in A. alcocki and the highest total carotenoid content of 185.3 µg/g was observed in head of A. alcocki. Astaxanthin and its mono- and diesters (63.5–92.2%) were the major carotenoids in both the species of shrimp and the levels of esterified astaxanthin were higher than the free form of astaxanthin. The levels of astaxanthin esters were higher (61.7–70.8%) in A. alcocki compared to S. indica (43.8–58.4%). Highest unsaturated fatty acid content (60.5%) was observed in the carotenoid extract from head of A. alcocki, and the highest saturated fatty acid content (83.1%) was observed in the carotenoid extract from the carapace S. indica.