Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter discusses carotenoid distribution and metabolism in sea urchins and the effect of dietary carotenoids on gonad color, the role of carotenoids on egg production and development, and biological functions in sea urchins. Carotenoids are widely distributed, naturally occurring pigments, usually red, orange, or yellow in color. They occur as free forms and also as esters, glycosides, sulfates, and carotenoproteins. Carotenoids consisting of eight isoprenoid units in a molecule are called “carotenes.” The oxidized derivatives are called “xanthophylls”—for example, β-echinenone, astaxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, and fucoxanthin. Some of the main roles of carotenoids in organisms are provitamin A activity, photoprotection, radical quenching, pigments, and immunological modulation. Most of the pigmentation in sea urchins occurs in the gonads. The carotenoid patterns of the testes and spines of sea urchin species are similar to those of their gonads. Carotenoids are important in the nutrition of animals, having roles in provitamin A activity, immunological modulation, antioxidation and protection against photosensitive damage. Carotenoids are important in egg production and the development and biological functions of sea urchins.
Publication Year: 2007
Publication Date: 2007-01-01
Language: en
Type: book-chapter
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 13
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