Comparative Biochemical Studies of Carotenoids in Fishes—II Carotenoids of Horse Mackerel, Swellfishes, Porcupine Fishes, and Striped Mullet

Abstract

The carotenoid pigments from the fin and skin of horse mackerel, swellfishes, porcupine-fishes and striped mullet were investigated. Tunaxanthin was predominant in horse mackerel (63–69%), swellfishes (33%) and porcupinefishes (56%). The following carotenoids were identified and their contents determined in the respective fishes: β-carotene (—, —, 4%), a-cryptoxanthin (2-trace, 3, 10%), cryptoxanthin (−, 10%, —), lutein (15–19, 3, 6%), zeaxanthin (10–16, 33, 16%), diatoxanthin (—, 7%, —), cynthiaxanthin (—, 8%, —), a-doradecin (—, 3, 1%) and astacene (—, trace, 1%), respectively. Carangoxanthin originally reported in horse mackerel by Hirao was not detected in fishes collected at various seasons and places in spite of our detailed investigation. In contrast with the above fishes, striped mullet contained zeaxanthin (68%) and lutein (20%) as the major carotenoids and a relatively small amount of tunaxanthin (6%). © 1974, The Japanese Society of Fisheries Science. All rights reserved.