Colour Enhancement in Rosy Barb (Pethia Conchonius) Through Dietary Natural Carotenoid Supplementation

Abstract

Around the world, it is highly usual to keep ornamental fish in glass tanks because of their vibrant colors and ability to naturally reduce tension. Because ornamental fish are unable to produce their own color-producing carotenoid pigments, they must rely on natural or synthetic carotenoids in their food to produce their color pigmentations. Total Carotenoids in the tissues of rosy barb (both experimental and control) were analysed. Among the five experimental diet, the maximum amount of total carotenoid was found in Feed D5 (1.7330±0.0151 µg/g), D2 (1.6346±0.0201 µg/g) and D4 (1.3666±0.0293 µg/g) and the minimum value (0.2785±0.0139 µg/g) was recorded in D1. The rosy barb fed with D5 diet revealed maximum retention of carotenoids. Carotenoids were isolated from the control and experimental group fish tissues at the end of the 10^th week using column chromatography with silica gel as the stationary phase and wet packing technique. In HPLC technique, the retention time and absorption spectral characteristics of carotenoid isomers were used in identifying the unknown peaks in the samples.  The results shows, the carotenoid standards, including E-Violaxanthin, 9’-Z Neoxanthine, E-Lutein, E-Zeaxanthine, E-β-Cryptoxanthine, α-Carotene and β-Carotene. The carotenoid content was estimated from five different experimental group fish tissues. The samples were analysed using C30 column on HPLC. In D1, D3 and D5 group, E-Violaxanthin and E-Zeaxanthine as the principal carotene were present. There was no carotenoid content was observed in D2 group fishes. In D4 group, E-Violaxanthin (6.814 Rt) as the principal carotene were present. In addition to highlighting the potential of natural components like beet root and spirulina for integration and development of feeds for rosy barb color improvement, the study underscores the significance of carotenoids in the commercial rosy barb business.