What Is Astaxanthin Extract Powder?
Astaxanthin is a natural carotenoid pigment with the molecular formula C40H52O4 and CAS Registry Number 472-61-7. It belongs to the xanthophyll class of carotenoids and has a deep red-orange colour. The richest natural source is the freshwater microalga Haematococcus pluvialis, which accumulates the pigment as a protective response to stress such as intense light, high salinity, or nutrient limitation.
In commercial production the microalga is cultivated, harvested, and disrupted, and the pigment is extracted and dried into a powder that is standardised to a defined astaxanthin content. Because astaxanthin is fat-soluble, it is usually formulated with oils or carriers to improve dispersion and absorption in food, feed, and supplement applications.
Antioxidant Activity and Cellular Protection
Astaxanthin is widely described as one of the most active natural antioxidants. It neutralises free radicals and supports the body's own defence against oxidative stress. Its molecular structure allows it to span the cell membrane, so it can interact with both the water-soluble and the fat-soluble regions of cells, a property that distinguishes it from many other carotenoids and from vitamin C or vitamin E used alone.
These effects are nutritional and functional in nature. Astaxanthin is not a medicine, and no product claim should state that it treats, cures, or prevents any disease.
Skin, Eye, and Exercise Recovery Support
In dietary supplements and cosmetics, astaxanthin is used for its antioxidant properties to support skin condition and to help protect against oxidative stress caused by UV exposure. It is not a sunscreen and does not replace sun protection measures, but it is a common ingredient in anti-ageing creams, serums, and beauty oils.
Astaxanthin is also studied for its role in supporting eye comfort during prolonged screen work and in supporting recovery after physical exercise. Communication of these benefits should stay within the language of nutritional support for normal physiological function.
Uses in Food, Feed, and Cosmetics
Food and beverage: a natural red-orange colorant that offers an alternative to synthetic dyes
Aquaculture and animal feed: a well-established additive that gives farmed salmon, trout, and shrimp their characteristic pink colour
Cosmetics: an antioxidant ingredient in creams, serums, and oils
Dietary supplements: softgels, powders, and blends standardised to a fixed astaxanthin content
One ingredient therefore serves three regulated industries, and each has its own rules on permitted use levels, labelling, and acceptable claims. Manufacturers often choose natural astaxanthin because it delivers colour and function from a single natural source, holds up reasonably well under normal processing and storage conditions, and is accepted by regulators in the food, feed, and cosmetics sectors when used at permitted levels.
Specifications, Quality Control, and Storage
| Parameter | Typical specification |
|---|---|
| CAS Registry Number | 472-61-7 |
| Molecular formula | C40H52O4 |
| Natural source | Haematococcus pluvialis microalga |
| Appearance | Dark red to red-orange fine powder |
| Standardised content | 1%, 2%, 5%, or 10% astaxanthin |
| Assay method | HPLC, supported by a certificate of analysis |
| Solubility | Fat-soluble; dispersible in oils and emulsified systems |
| Storage | Sealed container, cool and dry, protected from direct light |
Buyers should confirm the standardised astaxanthin content, the analytical method used, the heavy-metal and microbiological limits, and the carrier or excipients present in the powder, because these determine how the material behaves in the final formulation. The regulatory status of astaxanthin differs between food, feed, and cosmetic uses and between markets, so the intended application and the destination market should be agreed before shipment. The powder should be stored sealed, away from direct light, and used within the stated shelf life to preserve its activity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is astaxanthin extract powder?
It is a natural red-orange carotenoid pigment, CAS 472-61-7, extracted mainly from the microalga Haematococcus pluvialis and used in supplements, food, feed, and cosmetics.
Q: What is the CAS number of astaxanthin?
The CAS number of astaxanthin is 472-61-7 and its molecular formula is C40H52O4.
Q: Is astaxanthin a strong antioxidant?
Yes. Astaxanthin is one of the most active natural antioxidants and is used in supplements and cosmetics to support the body's defence against oxidative stress.
Q: Can astaxanthin treat or cure disease?
No. Astaxanthin is a nutritional and functional ingredient, not a medicine, and no product should claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease.
Q: Is astaxanthin used in animal feed?
Yes. It is a widely approved natural colorant in aquaculture feed, giving farmed salmon, trout, and shrimp their characteristic pink colour.
Q: How should astaxanthin powder be stored?
Store it sealed in a cool, dry place away from direct light, and use it within the labelled shelf life to preserve its antioxidant activity.