Seasonal Dynamics of Carotenoids in the Black Sea Bivalve Mollusk Chamelea gallina (Linnaeus, 1758)

The seasonal dynamics of the total carotenoid content (TCC) was studied in the indigenous Black Sea bivalve mollusk Chamelea gallina (Linnaeus, 1758). The TCC dynamics showed two distinct peaks: in spring (March–May) and fall (September). The spring elevation in the TCC coincided with bloom of sea water and was accompanied by a visually detected growth of the gonads that peaked in April (1.5 ± 0.5 mg 100 g–1). The fall elevation in the TCC, less pronounced, occurred in September (0.5 ± 0.2 mg 100 g–1). Totally, in spring and fall samples, there were identified up to 90% of the TCC: 11 free carotenoids (β-carotene, diatoxanthin, halocinthiaxanthin, amarouciaxanthin A, fucoxanthin, heteroxanthin, mactraxanthin, alloxanthin, lutein, diadinoxanthin, zeaxanthin) and esters of the last seven carotenoids. Possible pathways of transformation of carotenoids in Ch. gallina tissues are discussed.