DIETARY CAROTENOPROTEIN FROM Parapeneopsis stylifera SHELL WASTE MODULATES COLORATION AND ANTIOXIDANT ENZYME ACTIVITIES OF THE HIGH VALUE ORNAMENTAL FISH, OSCAR Astronotus ocellatus

Shrimp shell waste is one of the potent sources of carotenoid as well as bioactive compounds which can not only enhance the economy from shrimp however additionally reduce the pollution potential from shrimp waste.

An investigation (120 days) was carried out to evaluate the utilization efficiency of carotenoprotein extracted from shrimp shell incorporated in fish feed at different inclusion levels. Carotenoprotein extracted from Parapeneopsis stylifera shell waste by enzymatic hydrolysis was incorporated in diet of Astronotus ocellatus at 0% level (T1), 5% level (T2), 10% level (T3) and 15 % levels (T4) respectively. Growth, color and oxidative stress enzymes were evaluated at the end of the experiment. After 16 weeks of trial, albino Oscar fishes fed with 0% as well as 10% of carotenoprotein incorporated diet registered lower values of SGR, FER, Lightness (L*), Redness (a*) and yellowness (b*), compared to higher levels of incorporated treatments. Antioxidant enzymes like SOD and Catalase values both in gill and liver were found to be lower in T2 as well as T3 as compared to control and T1. Moreover, the color in terms of redness and chroma was found to be higher in T2 (10% carotenoprotein incorporated diet) as compared to T3 (15% carotenoprotein incorporated diet). No significant differences were found in the BCR of T2 as well as T3. Hence T2 (10 % carotenoprotein) has been recommended to be the most effective and economical inclusion level of carotenoprotein from a cheap crustacean waste source.

This technique aimed at formulation of a novel low-cost feed for enhancement of antioxidant capacity and color of ornamental fishes, by incorporation of carotenoid from shrimp shell waste in its most potent form i.e.,  carotenoprotein (which is comparatively stable than carotenoid itself), has been documented for the first time. Dietary incorporation of 10% carotenoprotein enhanced growth, coloration as well as antioxidant activity in albino oscar (A. ocellatus) and this inclusion level can be a farmers' advisory for maximizing their  profit.