КАРОТИНОЇДНИЙ СКЛАД КАЛАНОІДНИХ КОПЕПОД CALANIPEDA AQUAEDULCIS І ARCTODIAPTOMUS SALINUS ПРИ ХАРЧУВАННІ МІКРОВОДОРОСТЯМИ DUNALIELLA SALINA

Total carotenoids and carotenoid fractions in two species of euryhaline calanoid copepods Calanipeda aquaedulcis and Arctodiaptomus salinus fed euryhaline microalgae Dunaliella salina in laboratory cultures were studied by thin layer chromatography and absorption spectrophotometry. Total carotenoids (TC) of C. aquaedulcis averaged from 324 to 482 (403± 112) μg carotenoids per g dry weight and from 466 μg to 778 (622 ± 220) μg carotenoids per g dry weight in A. salinus. The following carotenoids were identified in both species: β-carotene, astaxanthin, mono-and di-ethers of astaxanthin. Significant species-specific differences in carotenoid fractions of C. aquaedulcis and A. salinus were recorded: dominance of free astaxanthin (42.5% TC) in C. aquaedulcis and dominance of esterified astaxanthin (62.5% of TC) in A. salinus. Canthaxanthin was not found in studied copepod species. Differences in carotenoid fractions composition were supposed attributed to differences in biological functions of carotenoids involved in the life strategies of compared copepods.