Correlation between radical scavenging capacity and carotenoid profile during Pleoticus muelleri larval development

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to measure the concentration of carotenoids and properties which occur in tissues to neutralize free radicals during ontogeny of Pleoticus muelleri. The stages of nauplius, protozoea, mysis and postlarvae of 1, 6, 10, 26, 30 days were examined from hatchery raised postlarvae from wild females. The β-carotene and the astaxanthin from the lyophilized tissue were quantified using a ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer. Free radicals scavenging properties of tissues extracts were evaluated by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The reaction of protective substances was followed with the 1,1-diphenyl-2- picryhydrazyl (DPPH) radical. The concentration of carotenoids of the whole larvae and postlarvae ranged from 1.72 to 87.04 μg g-1 for β-carotene, and 2.26 to 19.86 μg g-1 for astaxanthin. All the larval and postlarvae stages showed a protective capacity. In the stages of mysis, postlarvae 1 and 30 the homogenates were monitored without DPPH. The undefined EPR signal was quantified and considered as a "pool" of persistent radicals, with a concentration about 10-5 M. A relationship was observed between the concentration of carotenoids and the protective capacity of the homogenate. The postlarvae stages had a high concentration of carotenoids and the greatest protective capacity.