Effect of dietary carotenoids on lipoperoxidation in mature sea urchins Loxechinus albus (Echinodermata: Echinoidea)

Abstract

Present study consists the effects of dietary carotenoids on the gonad and gut index, colour of gonads, carotenoid pigments and lipid peroxidation in the gonads and gut of the sea urchin Loxechinus albus. Individuals were fed for 8 weeks with the following diets: (A) fresh algae, (B) and (C) enriched with 0.02% and 0.045% all trans β-carotene, respectively. After treatment, no significant differences were found in total weight, test diameter, gonad and gut indexes but gonads of L. albus fed on Diet C showed a better color than those fed on other diets. Histological analysis showed differences in the gonad reproductive condition among treatments. Content of β-carotene in gonads and gut showed no significant differences among treatments, neither between organs. The content of echinenone in gonads was significantly higher than in gut for Diet C and the field control. Lipid radical content was lower in gonads than in gut for Diet C. The content of α-tocopherol in gonads was higher in sea urchins fed on Diet C and in the field control, than in sea urchins fed on Diet A and B.