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 µgg−1) and carapace (104.7 µgg−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 β-carotene and zeaxanthin. The major fatty acids in
the carotenoid extracts were palmitic, heptadecanoic, palmitoleic, stearic and oleic acids.