Carotenoid Metabolism in Fancy Red Carp, Cyprinus carpio-II

Metabolism of ¹⁴C-Zeaxanthin

Abstract

The absorbed free form zeaxanthin, partially stored in the intestine and hepatopancreas, is transfered to the integument directly or through the hepatopancreas. In the integument, zeaxanthin is esterified and converted to astaxanthin via adonixanthin via adonixanthin to maintain the equilibrium among zeaxanthin ester, adonixanthin ester and astaxanthin ester.