Characteristics of carotenoid features in muscle and ovary from anadromous and river resident types of Alaskan dolly varden charr ( Salvelinus malma malma)

Abstract

1. 1. The carotenoids in the muscles and eggs from two types of natural Alaskan dolly varden charr, anadromous and river resident types, were examined. 2. 2. In the muscle from the anadromous charr, astaxanthin was the major component comprising more than 70% of the total, followed by idoxanthin and 4-keto-zeaxanthin. 3. 3. The egg carotenoid features in the river resident charr were more complicated compared with those in the anadromous fish. A considerable proportion of unidentified carotenoids was found in the eggs from the river resident charr. 4. 4. Idoxanthin was the main component along with considerable propotions of β-carotene tetrol and astaxanthin in the eggs from the anadromous charr, whereas zeaxanthin and lutein were detected besides idoxanthin and β-carotene tetrol in the eggs from the river resident fish. 5. 5. The prey was considered to be responsible for the difference in the carotenoid features of the eggs from the anadromous and river resident charr.