We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Astaxanthin: a powerful antioxidant used in aquaculture for coloration with aquatic animal health implications
Summary
Not relevant to microplastics — this review covers astaxanthin, a natural antioxidant pigment used in aquaculture, and its potential health benefits for farmed fish and crustaceans.
Astaxanthin is a xanthophyll with unique properties that make it a potent antioxidant and photoreceptor. It is synthesized in lower trophic level organisms, such as microalgae, yeast, and some other microbes. It is also synthetically manufactured. The use of astaxanthin for pigmentation in aquaculture is well documented, as are the numerous benefits for humans from the consumption of astaxanthin. However, little research has been conducted on its potential health benefits to aquatic species. Astaxanthin has recently been identified as a semi-essential nutrient for some common aquaculture species, such as crustaceans and salmonids, but its effectiveness as a health supplement in aquatic species is unclear. This review aims to summarize the varied current uses of astaxanthin in aquaculture, as well as the potential effects of astaxanthin on the aquatic animal species which receive it.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Captivating Colors, Crucial Roles: Astaxanthin’s Antioxidant Impact on Fish Oxidative Stress and Reproductive Performance
This review examines how the antioxidant astaxanthin can protect fish from oxidative stress and improve their reproductive health in aquaculture settings. While not directly about microplastics, the research is relevant because microplastic exposure causes oxidative stress in fish, and antioxidants like astaxanthin could help mitigate that damage. Understanding these protective mechanisms may be important for maintaining the health and safety of farmed fish destined for human consumption.
Micro-algal astaxanthin ameliorates polystyrene microplastics-triggered necroptosis and inflammation by mediating mitochondrial Ca2+ homeostasis in carp’s head kidney lymphocytes (Cyprinus carpio L.)
Researchers investigated whether astaxanthin, a natural pigment from microalgae, could protect carp immune cells from damage caused by polystyrene microplastics. They found that astaxanthin reduced inflammation and cell death triggered by microplastics by helping maintain calcium balance within the cells' mitochondria. The study suggests that natural antioxidant compounds may help mitigate some of the harmful immune effects of microplastic exposure in fish.
Mitigation of Dietary Microplastic Accumulation and Oxidative Stress Response in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Fry Through Dietary Supplementation of a Natural Microencapsulated Antioxidant
Researchers tested whether a microencapsulated natural antioxidant, astaxanthin, could protect rainbow trout fry from the harmful effects of dietary microplastics over a 60-day feeding trial. The antioxidant supplement reduced microplastic accumulation in fish tissues and helped counteract oxidative stress caused by the plastic particles. The findings suggest that dietary interventions could help mitigate microplastic harm in farmed fish, with potential implications for aquaculture safety.
Astaxanthin mitigates oxidative stress caused by microplastics at the expense of reduced skin pigmentation in discus fish
Researchers investigated how microplastics affect skin color in discus fish and whether the antioxidant astaxanthin could help. They found that microplastic exposure triggered oxidative stress that reduced skin pigmentation, and while astaxanthin supplementation improved coloring and antioxidant defenses, the pigment was diverted from skin coloration toward fighting oxidative damage. The study suggests that microplastic-induced stress forces fish to make trade-offs between maintaining body color and combating internal damage.
Copepods' true colors: astaxanthin pigmentation as an indicator of fitness
This review explores how carotenoid pigmentation, particularly the molecule astaxanthin, serves as a visible indicator of health and fitness in copepods, a dominant type of zooplankton. Researchers found that the bright red-orange coloring in copepods is linked to their ability to handle environmental stressors like UV radiation and oxidative damage. The study proposes that pigmentation could be used as a simple, practical tool for assessing the overall condition of zooplankton populations in aquatic ecosystems.