Feed Grade 10% Astaxanthin CAS 472-61-7
What is astaxanthin?
Astaxanthin, a fat-soluble carotenoid originally isolated from lobster, is primarily found in a variety of algae, microorganisms, crustaceans, and marine fish, with few reports in higher plants. Since the mid-1980s, with the discovery of astaxanthin's antioxidant and other biological activities, astaxanthin has been gradually used in products such as animal feed, health foods, cosmetics, and medical preparations.
Astaxanthin comes from a variety of sources, with synthetic and natural astaxanthin being the most common on the market. Synthetic feed-grade astaxanthin is primarily used as a food colorant in animal and fish feeds, resulting in increasing market demand. Due to its low cost and strong coloring power, synthetic feed-grade astaxanthin is primarily used in aquaculture feeds (such as salmon and shrimp farming), where it accumulates in the animal's diet to improve meat color. It is rarely used in human health or cosmetics.
Properties of Astaxanthin
Astaxanthin, also known as astaxanthin, is 3,3'-dihydroxy-4,4'-diketo-β,β'-carotene, with a molecular formula of C40H52O4. The astaxanthin molecular structure consists of a long conjugated polyene chain with two hexaketone rings at each end. The C-3 and C-3' carbon atoms on the terminal rings serve as chiral centers. Depending on the configuration of the chiral carbon atoms at the terminal rings, astaxanthin has three stereo configurations: levorotatory (3S, 3'S), dextrorotatory (3R, 3'R), and meso (3R 3'S). These different astaxanthin conformations exist in nature. For example, the astaxanthin in Phaffia rhodozyma is the free form of the left-handed conformation; Antarctic krill is dominated by right-handed astaxanthin esters; wild salmon is primarily the free form of the left-handed conformation; and Haematococcus pluvialis contains left-handed astaxanthin esters, of which monoesters account for approximately 80% and diesters for approximately 15%. The fatty acids esterified at the 3 or 3'-hydroxyl groups primarily include oleic acid, elaidic acid, ricinoleic acid, and arachidic acid.
In addition, astaxanthin also exists as cis- and trans-isomers, depending on the spatial arrangement of the carbon-carbon double bond connecting groups within the astaxanthin structure. If both groups are on the same side of the double bond, it is called the cis-form (Z); if not, it is called the trans-form (E). The all-trans-form of astaxanthin is the most stable and abundant in nature.
The main stereoisomers and geometric isomers of astaxanthin
Applications of Astaxanthin
Applications of Synthetic Astaxanthin in Aquaculture and Livestock Feed
Astaxanthin is a natural colorant. It exists in different conformations in different species, imparting unique colors to organisms. The most iconic example is the red color of salmon flesh. This red color is visually pleasing and often symbolizes freshness and flavor.
Astaxanthin accumulates in fish lipoproteins, myosin, and α-actin. Therefore, to achieve a more vibrant color in farmed salmon, an appropriate amount of astaxanthin is added to traditional feed.
It is estimated that the market demand for animal feed and nutritional supplements was RMB 300 million and RMB 30 million, respectively, in 2009, and is projected to reach RMB 800 million and RMB 300 million, respectively, by 2020. The annual demand for astaxanthin in salmon feed alone is RMB 200 million.
In addition to aquatic products, astaxanthin can also be used in poultry feed. Adding 10 mg/kg⁻¹ of natural astaxanthin to the feed of broiler ducks effectively deposits it in the ducks' bodies, giving their beaks and shins a natural, healthy golden color. It also effectively inhibits lipid peroxidation in the muscles, improving their nutritional value.
Astaxanthin corn, when used to completely replace corn in traditional feeds for laying hens, produces egg yolks containing 12.10 to 14.15 mg/kg⁻¹ of astaxanthin, or approximately 540 μg per egg, meeting daily antioxidant health needs.
Applications of Astaxanthin in Health Foods and Cosmetics
The long conjugated polyene chains in the astaxanthin molecule quench singlet oxygen and scavenge free radicals, giving it exceptional antioxidant potential. Astaxanthin's antioxidant activity is reportedly 10 times higher than that of zeaxanthin, lutein, canthaxanthin, and β-carotene, and 100 times higher than that of tocopherol.1221 Therefore, it is believed that adding astaxanthin to food and skincare products can leverage its antioxidant activity to achieve benefits such as whitening, enhancing immunity, and delaying aging.
Applications of Astaxanthin in Pharmaceuticals
Due to its potent antioxidant properties, astaxanthin can be used as a multi-target pharmacological agent. Astaxanthin can prevent and improve non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and liver fibrosis by regulating liver immune responses, liver inflammation, and oxidative stress. Furthermore, researchers believe that astaxanthin can protect against most diseases associated with oxidative stress and inflammation, including inflammatory diseases, cancer, obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, and cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, liver, neurodegenerative, ophthalmic, skeletal, reproductive, and skin diseases. Literature suggests that oral administration of astaxanthin-containing medications can significantly enhance muscle strength and exercise tolerance.
What are the differences between natural and synthetic astaxanthin?
1. Differences in Antioxidant Potency
Research has shown that natural astaxanthin has significantly higher antioxidant capacity than synthetic astaxanthin. Natural astaxanthin contains multiple isomers (different forms of the molecular structure), which work together to enhance its effectiveness in scavenging free radicals and protecting cells from oxidative damage.
Synthetic astaxanthin, on the other hand, is primarily a single isomer and has relatively weaker antioxidant properties.
2. Differences in Bioavailability
Natural astaxanthin also has higher bioavailability (i.e., the degree to which it is absorbed and utilized by the body) than synthetic astaxanthin. Studies have shown that natural astaxanthin is better absorbed by the body and can be used in key areas such as the eyes, skin, and brain.
3. Evidence of Health Benefits
Most research on the health benefits of astaxanthin is based on natural astaxanthin. These studies have shown that natural astaxanthin can:
Reduce eye fatigue
Improve skin elasticity and hydration
Boost immunity
Reduce inflammation and oxidative stress
Synthetic astaxanthin has been less studied for its health benefits and is primarily used in aquaculture.
