Relations entre acides gras et pigments caroténoïdes chez un crustacé copépode, Calanipeda aquae-dulcis

Abstract

The carotenoid pigments of the copepod, Calanipeda aquae-dulcis, were investigated by thin layer chromatography and absorption spectrophotometry. The following pigments were identified: β-carotene, zeaxanthin, lutein, echinenone, canthaxanthin, astaxanthin and phoenicoxanthin. The nature of the fatty acids derived from natural esters has been determined quantitatively by gas chromatography of their methyl esters. Complexes between fatty acids and carotenoid pigments are discussed; not only esterified pigments are present. The linkage between fatty acids and carotenoid pigments depends on the extent of oxygenation of the pigments. The presence of monounsaturated fatty acids increases if carotenoid pigments are low in oxygenation. Conversely, the presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids increases with the oyxgenation of the carotenoid pigments. The role of the links between carotenoid pigments and fatty acids in the trophic webs is discussed.