Physico-chemical Variables of Ambient Media and Astaxanthin Content of Mangroves in Hooghly-Matla Estuarine Complex of Indian Sundarbans

Author(s): Sangita Agarwal, Shankhadeep Chakraborty and Abhijit Mitra

Abstract: Astaxanthin, one of the naturally occurring carotenoid pigments possessing strong antioxidant property, has been pointed to play an essential role in the protection against peroxidation of lipid and oxidative damage of LDL cholesterol, cell membrane, cells and tissues. The salt tolerant mangrove vegetation present in the deltaic lobe of Indian Sundarbans has been documented as one of the prime sources of astaxanthin. This paper reflects the accumulation pattern of astaxanthin in six species of mangroves namely- Avicennia officinalis, Avicennia alba, Avicennia marina, Sonneratia apetala, Aegiceros corniculatum and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza at ten different stations having different environmental conditions in the Hooghly-Matla estuarine complex of Indian Sundarbans. Although these six species share the same brackish water media, but significant variation in the leaf astaxanthin level confirms the concept of species specificity and effects of various Physico-chemical factors in terms of this secondary carotenoid.

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