Northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis) protein hydrolyzate and oil promote flesh pigmentation and growth in post-smolt Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

This study investigated the use of alternative ingredients obtained from Pandalus borealis by-products on flesh pigmentation and growth in post-smolt Salmo salar (initial weight of similar to 300 g). Four experimental diets were fed to fish in triplicate tanks for 16 weeks: a control diet and three other diets containing either synthetic astaxanthin, shrimp hydrolyzate, or shrimp oil. Fish that were fed the shrimp hydrolyzate diet exhibited higher red hue (based on L*a*b* data) when compared to fish fed the two other pigmented diets and had higher final weight. In addition, shrimp oil was found to be as efficient as artificial astaxanthin to increase the intensity of flesh pigmentation in Atlantic salmon. The shrimp hydrolyzate tested in our study provides an excellent source of astaxanthin and protein for Atlantic salmon. Likewise, shrimp oil could also constitute a natural source of astaxanthin and oil to this species.