Dietary Astaxanthin Effects in Aquaculture Systems

Astaxanthin is a red xanthophyll carotenoid widely incorporated into aquafeeds to enhance growth performance, tissue pigmentation, immune competence and oxidative resilience across diverse cultured species. In salmonids, crustaceans and molluscs alike, dietary inclusion of astaxanthin has been shown to promote deposition of pigment in flesh and exoskeleton, thereby improving market appeal and consumer acceptability. Beyond its cosmetic benefit, astaxanthin exerts potent antioxidant activity by quenching reactive oxygen species, modulating gene expression related to antioxidant enzymes and immune effectors, and supporting lipid metabolism in key metabolic organs. Optimal supplementation levels vary by species and life stage, with moderate concentrations yielding the greatest balance between physiological gains and feed efficiency. Integrative studies have begun to reveal interactions between dietary lipids and astaxanthin absorption, digestibility and deposition, underscoring the importance of feed formulation for maximising bioavailability. Collectively, research advances in the past two years have refined dose–response relationships, elucidated molecular mechanisms and demonstrated practical applications in aquaculture operations worldwide.

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Dietary Astaxanthin Effects in Aquaculture Systems publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in dietary astaxanthin effects in aquaculture systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Astaxanthin: A red xanthophyll carotenoid with strong antioxidant properties, used to enhance pigmentation and health in cultured aquatic animals.

Carotenoid: A lipid-soluble pigment class found in plants and microorganisms, contributing to coloration and exhibiting antioxidant activity.

Antioxidant capacity: The ability of a substance to neutralise reactive oxygen species and protect cells from oxidative damage.

Pigmentation: The deposition of coloured compounds in animal tissues, influencing appearance and commercial quality.

Lipid metabolism: Biochemical pathways governing the synthesis, storage and breakdown of fats within organisms.

Hepatopancreas: A combined liver-like and pancreatic organ in crustaceans responsible for digestion, nutrient absorption and metabolism.

References

1. Dietary Astaxanthin Can Promote the Growth and Motivate Lipid Metabolism by Improving Antioxidant Properties for Swimming Crab, Portunus trituberculatus. Antioxidants (2024).
2. Dietary lipid and astaxanthin contents affect the pigmentation of Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus). Food Production, Processing and Nutrition (2024).
3. Effects of dietary astaxanthin supplementation on growth performance, antioxidant status, immune response, and intestinal health of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Animal Nutrition (2024).
4. Recent progress in practical applications of a potential carotenoid astaxanthin in aquaculture industry: a review. Fish Physiology and Biochemistry (2023).