Investigation for the accumulation potential of astaxanthin in green tiger prawn Penaeus semisulcatus by short-term rearing under artificial condition

In this study we investigated the potential of the green tiger prawn, Penaeus semisulcatus to accumulate the astaxanthin (Asx) within two weeks under several experimental conditions (black background, high level Asx feeding, and ultraviolet irradiation). From the experiment combining these three conditions, it could be inferred that the black background was most effective which can induce the elevation of a* value and the accumulation of Asx in the cephalothorax region compared with the data before experiment. The black background alone can also stimulated the elevation of a* value in the cephalothorax which is about 1.6 times higher than those of before experiment. Taken together with the facts that Asx levels and a* value were positively correlated, even only black background rearing can induce the accumulation of Asx of Penaeus semisulcatus within 2 weeks. However, the artificial prevention moulting is a major challenge because the background also cause the associated mortality.