The Biosynthesis of Astaxanthin—XV The Carotenoids in Chidai, red sea bream, Evynnis japonica Tanaka and [the incorporation of labelled astaxanthin from the diet of the red sea bream] to their body astaxanthin

1. The carotenoids in the red sea bream, Chidai, Evynnis japonica Tanaka, have been separated by absorption chromatography, characterized by their absorption spectra, their behavior on the columns, specific chemical tests, and co-chromatography with authentic samples. 2. Canthaxanthin, lutein, astaxanthin and Pe-518 were isolated from the internal organs of the red sea bream. α-Cryptoxanthin, 3,3′-dihydroxy-e-carotene, zeaxanthin, lutein (trace), 3-hydroxy-canthaxanthin and astaxanthin were found in the integuments of the red sea bream. 3. The red sea bream were cultured in the laboratory and for three weeks fed radio-active β-carotene-15,15′-3H2 and labelled astaxanthin. It was determined that β-carotene was not a major precursor of astaxanthin in the red sea bream, but labelled xanthophylls in the prawn (the contents of astaxanthin were 78% of the total pigments) were absorbed from the diet and deposited in the body of the red sea bream. © 1974, The Japanese Society of Fisheries Science. All rights reserved