Extraction & Production Process:

• Raw Material: Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae (cultivated in closed photobioreactors)

• Cultivation Process:

1. Seed culture in laboratory (controlled conditions)

2. Scale-up to outdoor photobioreactors (2-4 weeks)

3. Stress induction (nitrogen deprivation, high light) to trigger astaxanthin accumulation

4. Harvest at peak astaxanthin content (3-5% of dry weight)

5. Centrifugation and washing

6. Cell wall disruption (bead milling or enzymatic lysis)

7. Supercritical CO2 extraction (preferred method)

• Extraction Methods:

• Solvents: Ethanol, ethyl acetate, or hexane

• Temperature: 30-40°C

• Requires solvent removal and residue testing

• Temperature: 40-60°C

• Pressure: 300-500 bar

• CO2 flow rate: 10-20 kg/h

• Extraction time: 2-4 hours

• Advantages: Solvent-free, preserves heat-sensitive compounds, high purity

• Supercritical CO2 (Preferred):

• Solvent Extraction (Alternative):

• Post-Extraction Processing:

• Filtration and concentration

• Standardization with carrier oils (olive oil, MCT oil, sunflower oil)

• Microencapsulation for powder forms (1%, 2%, 5% grades)

• Nitrogen flushing and amber packaging for stability

Quality Testing Methods:

• Astaxanthin Quantification (HPLC-UV/Vis):

• Column: C18 or C30 reverse-phase (250mm × 4.6mm, 5μm)

• Mobile phase: Methanol/Acetone/Water (gradient)

• Detection wavelength: 476nm (maximum absorption)

• Flow rate: 1.0 mL/min

• Column temperature: 25°C

• Isomer analysis: Can separate all-E, 9Z, and 13Z isomers

• Quantification: External standard with astaxanthin reference standard

• Isomer Profile Analysis:

• Natural astaxanthin: Primarily all-E isomer (>80%)

• Synthetic astaxanthin: Different isomer ratio (contains significant Z-isomers)

• Used for authenticity verification

• Heavy Metals: ICP-MS (Pb ≤ 2.0 ppm, As ≤ 1.0 ppm, Hg ≤ 0.1 ppm, Cd ≤ 0.5 ppm)

• Microbiological: TP ≤ 1,000 CFU/g, Mold/Yeast ≤ 100 CFU/g, Pathogens negative

• Oxidation Status:

• Peroxide value: ≤ 10 meq/kg

• Anisidine value: ≤ 20

• TOTOX value: ≤ 40

• Solvent Residues: GC analysis (if solvent extraction used)

Applications & Dosage:

• Dietary Supplements:

• Eye health: 4-12mg daily (clinical dose for visual acuity support)

• Skin health: 4-6mg daily (UV protection, anti-aging)

• Sports nutrition: 4-12mg daily (exercise recovery, endurance)

• General antioxidant: 2-4mg daily

• Cosmetics:

• Anti-aging serums: 0.05-0.1% astaxanthin

• UV protection products: 0.1-0.5% (synergistic with SPF)

• Face creams: 0.01-0.05%

• Eye creams: 0.01-0.03%

• Functional Foods & Beverages:

• Fortified beverages: 1-2mg per serving (water-dispersible grade required)

• Energy gels: 2-4mg per serving

• Nutraceutical gummies: 2-4mg per piece

• Aquaculture & Pet Food:

• Salmon feed: 50-100 ppm (for flesh pigmentation)

• Ornamental fish feed: 100-200 ppm (color enhancement)

• Pet supplements: 1-5mg per kg body weight

Formulation Considerations:

• Astaxanthin is highly lipophilic - requires oil base or emulsification for bioavailability

• Light and oxygen sensitive - use amber packaging and nitrogen flushing

• Heat stable up to 100°C for short periods (suitable for extrusion in pet food)

• Best absorbed when taken with meals containing fat

• Synergistic with other carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin) and vitamin E