Carotenoids of four species of crucian carp and two varieties of goldfish

The carotenoids in the integuments of four species of crucian carp, golden cruian carp, round crucian carp, deepbodied crucian carp and silver crucian carp, and two varieties of goldfish were investigated. The composition of carotenoids was very similara to each other. Cynthiaxanthin, which was found in all species, was the principal carotenoid in the four species of crucian carp (34-87%). But in the goldfish, ketocarotenoids such as astaxanthin, α-doradexanthin, β-doradexanthin and idoxanthin were contained as main pigments. Cynthiaxanthin followed these ketocarotenoids. In addition, β-carotene, α-cryptoxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein, 3'-epilutein, zeaxanthin, diadinoxanthin, diatoxanthin, α- or β-carotene type triols and tetrol (β-type) were present.