<i>Cis</i>- and <i>trans</i>-canthaxanthin levels in <i>Artemia</i> cysts of different geographical origin

Abstract

The carotenoid composition of Artemia cysts from 17 geographical strains was studied. All-trans-canthaxanthins and cis-canthaxanthins were quantitatively determined using a non-aqueous reversed phase chromatographic method. In dehydrated cysts, the average cis- and trans-canthaxanthin levels (+/- SD) were 152 +/- 52 and 134 +/- 42 µg/g, respectively (range 38-227 and 67-201µg/g). The corresponding concentrations in hydrated cysts were (cis) 177 +/- 60 µg/g (range 47-271 µg/g) and (trans) 112 +/- 35 µg/g (range 52-169 µg/g). The cis/trans concentration ratios averaged 1.13 (range 0.57-1.47) and 1.60 (range 0.84-2.54) for dehydrated and hydrated cysts, respectively. Differences in total canthaxanthin content in Artemia cysts may partly reflect environmental variability (e.g. algal supply), whereas the divergence in the relative abundance of cis- and trans-canthaxanthin may be associated with differences in some physical and biological characteristics of the cysts