Oleous Extraction of Carotenoids from Shrimp Cephalothorax and its Effect on a Microencapsulated Diet with Nauplii Larvae

ABSTRACT Carotenoids were oil extracted from shrimp-cephalothorax meal at two meal:oil ratios (1:5 and 1:10) and two meal-particle sizes (0.150 and 0.150–0.177 mm). Extraction results were significant at 0.150 mm in particle size and a meal:oil ratio of 1:10, obtaining 286 mgL−1 of pigments. Pigmented oil was microencapsulated to reduce deterioration by spray drying using two encapsulating blends: Mesquite gum-whey-protein concentrate and Arabic gum-mesquite gum-maltodextrin 10 DE. Microcapsule morphology and thermo-oxidative stability were evaluated. The Arabic/mesquite gum blend showed the best morphology and stability. A bioassay using Litopenaeus vannamei nauplii was performed using microalgae as a control. Results indicated that pigmented oil microcapsules increased the survival percentage when compared with the control. Larvae growth evaluated as the exoskeleton length was significantly different from the control favoring the pigmented oil diet. Larvae behavior measured as DI and PLIc showed no sign...