Abstract
Carotenoid content and composition of commercial black tiger prawns Penaeus monodon exhibiting different body color were determined. A consistency was observed between the depth of body color of prawns and the carotenoid content of 2.3-33.1mg/100g in their exoskeleton. Astaxanthin was the major component in all the prawns, amounting to 86-98% of total carotenoids. Three forms of astaxanthin, namely diester, monoester, and free ones, were found. Cultured black tiger prawns accumulated preferentially astaxanthin monoester in their exoskeleton, when the total carotenoid content exceeded about 8mg/100g. Thus the external coloring in carotenoid-rich prawns may be due to interaction between the color of astaxanthin esters and that of carotenoprotein.
