A Method of Separating Offspring from Farmed and Wild Atlantic Salmon (<i>Salmo salar</i>) based on Different Ratios of Optical Isomers of Astaxanthin

Abstract

A method of separating eggs and alevins from wild and farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) is described, using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to trace optical isomers of astaxanthin commonly occurring in the diet of both wild and farmed salmon. The proportions of isomers in eggs and alevins of farmed salmon, fed synthetic astaxanthin, differ highly from those of wild fish. The method can be used as a tool to determine the spawning success of escaped farmed female Atlantic salmon.