Comparative Biochemical Studies of Carotenoids in Fishes-XIX

Carotenoids of Chum Salmon, Coho Salmon, Biwa Trout, Red-spotted Masu Salmon, Masu Salmon, and Kokanee

Abstract

The carotenoids from the integuments of chum salmon, coho salmon, Biwa trout, redspotted masu salmon, masu salmon, and kokance wrer investigated. They have closely similar carotenoid patterns, consisting of β-carotene, echinenone, cryptoxanthin, canthaxanthin, tunaxanthin (mixture of tunaxanthin A, B, C), violaxanthin, lutein, 3'-epilutein, antheraxanthin, zeaxanthin, salmioxanthin, diadinoxanthin, diatoxanthin, cynthiaxanthin, doradexanthin (α and β), astaxanthin, triol and tertol (β-carotene type).
A new epoxy carotenoid, salmoxanthin was found in all species and was predominant (16-30%) in five out of the six species mentioned above.
From the results of the present investigation, the authors proposed the assumption that salmoxanthin might be a chemical indicator in the family salmionidae.