Document Type : Review
Authors
1
Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados, Rodovia Dourados - Itahum, km 12, Dourados, 79804-970, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
2
School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Science, Auburn University, 203 Swingle Hall, Auburn, 36849, Alabama, USA
3
Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados, Rodovia Dourados - Itahum, km 12, Dourados, 79804-970, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil; Departamento de Pesquisa em Recursos Naturais, Instituto Federal de Educação do Paraná, 475 Civica Avenue, Assis Chateaubriand, 85935-000, Paraná, Brazil
Abstract
In the global pet market, fish are the number one selling pets in the world. Considering a market that moves billions of dollars annually and where the body color of these animals is one of the main factors that attracts consumers to this niche, it is important to understand the pigmentation process and what can influence the metabolism of these animals, which directly affects their color. This understanding will allow for the appropriate manipulation of diets without compromising animal welfare, ultimately resulting in more attractive specimens for the market. Biological pigments, namely melanin, carotenoids, pteridine, and purines, are not only responsible for the color of fish, but also influence health, disease resistance, well-being, social interaction, growth, and reproduction. Providing these pigments in the diet is critical because some are not biosynthesized by fish. For example, pheomelanin and carotenoids are not synthesized by fish, whereas compounds such as pteridine, eumelanin, and purines are synthesized. During the synthesis phase, certain amino acids, especially phenylalanine, play a key role in the metabolic pathways. Thus, this work describes the role of phenylalanine in the metabolic pathways of these pigments, characterizes the types of pigments, highlights their importance for animals, and explains the mechanisms of action and control involved in the pigmentation process.
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