Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

1978

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Abstract

Carotenoid composition, tissue distribution, deposition in the exoskeleton, and assimilation were studied in the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus. Carotenoids identified were: alpha-carotene; beta-carotene; lutein; 'carcinoxanthin'; isocryptoxanthin; echinenenone; canthaxanthin; astaxanthin; and, astaxanthin esters. Tentative identification was made for a-carotene, 8-carotene-monoepoxide, and phoenicoxanthin. The occurrence of 'carcinoxanthin', in high concentration, in antennae and eyestalks, is noted and discussed. Hepatopancreas yields mainly Bcarotene, with more oxidized 'intermediates' and astaxanthin being localized in the hypodermis. Exoskeletal carotenoids, both free and conjugated to protein, were shown to be bound to chitin. Exoskeletal carotenoprotein was shown to contain free astaxanthin as the only carotenoid present. External coloration was analyzed and the underlying pigments identified. Starved crabs with carotenoid-depleted hepatopancreas were shown to assimilate beta-carotene, but not astaxanthin, from test diets. Possible metabolic pathways and functions of carotenoids in Crustacea are discussed.

Extent

104 p.

Comments

Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1978.|Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1978.

Identifier

FADT13918

Format

pdf

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