Microalgal pigment induction and transfer in aquaculture

Abstract

Pigments are bioactive compounds produced by microalgae which have a very important role in the health and performance of aquaculture species, particularly in the early larval stages of marine fish and crustaceans. We review the production of specific pigments by microalgal species emphasizing on the specific culture and stress conditions to promote the accumulation of large amounts of pigments in microalgae such as Haematococcus pluvialis , and different genus of Dunaliella , Muriellopsis , Scenedesmus , Chlorella and Chlorococcum used for aquaculture. We also discuss the differences among different large‐scale production systems and review the dose–effect relation of pigments on the health and performance of different aquaculture species as well as discuss the feasibility of transferring the pigments by using zooplankton species to obtain the benefits of pigments and other compounds produced by microalgae. We conclude more research is needed on the specific dose effects of pigments in the health and performance of aquaculture species at specific developmental stages and that the transfer of these bioactive compounds using zooplankton species is worthy of consideration by the aquaculture industry.

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