Pigmentation of Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) using Aztec marigold (Tagetes erecta) extracts as the carotenoid source.

Pacific white shrimp were fed diets containing natural pigments from Aztec marigold (Tagetes erecta) petals extracts (esterified and saponified). The pigmenting effect of these carotenoids was compared with a carotenoid-free control diet and a synthetic astaxanthin (Roche Carophyll Pink) supplemented diet. It was found that after 14 days of feeding, the shrimp showed that the saponified marigold extract and the high concentration esterified marigold extract supplemented diets produced a better pigmentation effect (between 50-70%) in the exoskeleton than the astaxanthin, the low concentration esterified marigold extract and the basal diets, the latter diets being non-significantly different among themselves. However, during the same 14 day period, non-significantly different results were observed in the carotenoid content of the shrimp abdominal muscle when fed with all diets except the low concentration esterified marigold extract diet that showed a significantly lower value than the saponified marigold extract diet. These results indicate that the main carotenoid sources in Tagetes erecta, namely lutein and zeaxanthin, are possibly metabolized into astaxanthin and deposited by the Pacific white shrimp.