The caro tenoid astaxan thin possess hig her antioxida nt activity compared to other
carotenoids. Here, we aimed to analyze the antioxidant activity of total carotenoids
obtained from shrimp, whi ch is the main source of astaxanthin in the humam diet.
Shrimp (Litop enaeus vanname i) were reare d on standa rd feed, as control (CS), and on feed
supplemented with the alga e Haematococcus pluviali s as a caro tenoid source (SS). Total
carotenoids extra cted from shrimp muscle were compared for in vitro antioxidant activity
through a thiobarbituric aci d reactiv e substances assa y, free radical scave nging activity
2,2-diphenil-1-pi crylhydrazyl (DPPH), and the co-oxidation of β-caroten e/linoleic aci d. In
addition, the ability of total carotenoids in prevent ing in vitro lipid peroxid ation in the
serum and liver of rats was evaluated. The results were compared with synth etic
astaxanthin. Supplement ed shrimp had higher conte nt of astaxan thin than the CS group
(4.55 mg/kg vs. 2.82 mg/kg of shrimp). Total carotenoids of the CS group presented a
concentration-dep endent antioxidant activity, that was similar to the synthetic astax-anthin, while total carotenoi ds of the CS show ed lower antioxi dant abili ty (P o0.05 ).
Basically, shrimp total carotenoi ds were able to prevent the in vitro rat serum and liver
lipid peroxidation, and scavengers the DPPH. The results suggest that astaxanthin, the
major carotenoi d present in shrimp, may have a protective antioxidant effect in the
crustacean. The benefi cial effects of the consumption of food containing astaxan thin as
the major carotenoid seem apparent. Further in vivo studies are required.