Carotenoid content in the body of whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus lavaretus (L.)) from Lake Łebsko (northern Poland)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of sex on the content of b-carotene, lutein, astaxanthin, canthaxanthin, zeaxanthin, and total carotenoids in the skin, muscles, and livers of whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus lavaretus (L.)). Fish samples for assays were collected from Lake Łebsko. There is a whitefish conservation program in Lake Łebsko. The results show that males are more carotenoid rich in comparison to females. The total carotenoids ranged from 0.39 mg g^-1 wet weight (ww) (skin of females) to 1.55 mg g^-1 ww (livers of males). The highest carotenoid levels were in whitefish livers (1.36-1.55 mg g^-1 ww), and the lowest were in its skin (0.39-0.41 mg g^-1 ww). Astaxanthin was the dominant carotenoid in whitefish muscles and livers. The highest levels of b-carotene were recorded in the skin of both whitefish males and females.

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR:

Małgorzata Woźniak, Uniwersytet Warmińsko-Mazurski, Katedra Biologii i Hodowli Ryb, ul. Oczapowskiego 5, 10-957 Olsztyn, Tel.+48 (89) 5233762; e-mail: mawoz@uwm.edu.pl