ISSN 2375-1061
African Journal of Agricultural Marketing ISSN: 2375-1061 Vol. 12 (4), pp. 001-006, April, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Exploring carotenoid levels and characteristics in fish fillets from West African coastal fisheries
Bazyli Czeczuga1*, Janusz Semeniuk2, Ewa Czeczuga-Semeniuk1, Adrianna Semeniuk1 and Bernard Klyszejko3
1Department of General Biology, Medical University, Mickiewicza 2C, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland.
2Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Gastroenterology and Allergology, Medical University, Waszyngtona 17, 15-274
Białystok, Poland.
3Department of Fish Phisiology, Agricultural University, K. Krolewicza 4, 71-550 Szczecin, Poland.
Accepted 8 October, 2023
Abstract
Using column (CC), thin- layer (TLC) and high- performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), carotenoid content was examined in the fillets (muscles with skin) of 16 fish species from the fisheries of West African Coast. 15 carotenoids, including 6 ketocarotenoids (4’- hydroxyechinenone, canthaxanthin, phoenicopterone, phoenicoxanthin, astaxanthin, 7,8- didehydroastaxanthin) were found, with a predominance of 3,4- dihydro- α- carotene, zeaxanthin, phoenicopterone, canthaxanthin, phoenicoxanthin and astaxanthin. Total carotenoid content in the examined material ranged from 0.086 (Merluccius merluccius) to 0.352 µg g-1 wet mass (Macrurus aequalis). Also, the increase of different environmental factors- especially food, parasites and organochlorine pollution on carotenoid content in fishes and their role in human’s life was discussed.
Key words: Carotenoids, fish, fillets, fisheries, West Africa.