ABSTRACT
The effect of oil-extracted astaxanthin from the red crab or langostilla (Pleuroncodes planipes) on the growth and pigmentation of forty five rainbow trouts (Oncorhynchus mykiss) was investigated by feeding a test diet supplemented with 75 mg/kg of astanthin during six weeks and compared with a control diet. The oil-extraction process of the pigment is described. Weight, flesh astaxanthin concentration, and color (A*a*,b*) of the flesh were measured at 0,3, and 6 weeks. No apparent effect of astaxanthin supplementation was observed on fish development. In spite of the low free astaxanthin amount in the diet (8 por ciento), an acceptable carotenoid concentration in the flesh (3,60 ñ 0,78 mg/kg, w/w), and a red hue (Hº ab = 44,13 ñ 2,36) were obtained at the end of the study. The red hue was strongly correlated with thecarotenoid concentration (r=0,98)