Interestingly, quantitative and qualitative analysis
of cartenoprotein in terms of apolar residues,
polarity index and small, charged amino acid
content (Table 2) were close with other reported
anostracan species. However, apolar residues and
polarity index of S. dichotomus were high compared
to Chirocephalus diaphanus, whereas the
small amino acid content was high compared to
Branchipus stagnalis.
Recently, shrimp waste has added value to the
shrimp industry due to presence of a red-orangepigment, astaxanthin (Armenta et al., 2002). As
the feeds supplemented by the addition of canthaxanthin
and astaxanthin increase the cost of fish
production, the use of naturally available species
with a high amount of carotenoids in their body
would increase body colouration, reproduction,
immunity, larval survival, etc., of the consumer
organism. It has also been reported that these fairy
shrimps are used as food for human consumption
in Thailand (Sanoamuang and Dumont, 2000).
Studies on the carotenoid content and composition
of these crustaceans revealed their competitive
nutritional value and provide a new cost effective
source of carotenoid pigments. This fact adds to
the advantage of the likelihood of these organisms
being used as potential live feed.