Stereochemical Investigation of Carotenoids in the Antarctic Krill Euphausia superba

Abstract

The carotenoids from the carapace, flesh, and eyes in the antarctic krill Euphausia superba were investigated. The total amounts of carotenoids in the carapace, flesh, and eyes were found to be 1.13 mg/ 100 g, 1.06 mg/100 g, and 90.82 mg/100 g, respectively. Astaxanthin diester (55-64%), astaxanthin monoester (25-35%), astaxanthin (7-8%), and unknown carotenoids (3-4%) were isolated from those three organs. Each astaxanthin fraction consists of the three stereoisomers. (3R, 3’R)-astaxanthin (1) (62–71 %) existed as a major com-ponent along with (3R, 3’S; meso)-astaxanthin (2) (11–14 %) and (3S, 3’S)-astaxanthin (3) (16–26 %). © 1985, The Japanese Society of Fisheries Science. All rights reserved.