Use of natural carotenoids for pigmentation in fishes

Pigmentation is one of the important quality attributes of the fish for consumer acceptability. Carotenoids are responsible for pigmentation of muscle in food fish and skin colour in ornamental fish. As fish is not capable of synthesizing carotenoids de novo there is a need to incorporate carotenoids in the diet of cultured species. Since synthetic carotenoids are known to have deteriorating effects on the environment, there is a great demand for inclusion of natural carotenoids in aqua feed to achieve bright coloration in fish. The possible use of naturally available carotenoid rich ingredients such as microalgal pigments (Chlorella vulgaris Beijer, Haematococcus pluvialis, Dunaliella salina (Dun.) Teodor), yeast extract (Phafia rhodozyma, Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous), marigold, capsicum, etc. has been discussed in this article.