View source for Astaxanthin

[[File:Astaxanthin-3D-spacefill.png|right|frameless]]


Astaxanthin is produced naturally in the freshwater microalgae ''Haematococcus pluvialis'' and the yeast fungus ''Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous'' (also known as ''Phaffia rhodozyma'').<ref>{{cite web|title=''Phaffia rhodozyma'' M.W. Mill., Yoney. & Soneda - Names Record|url=http://www.speciesfungorum.org/Names/NamesRecord.asp?RecordID=319694|website=www.speciesfungorum.org|publisher=Species Fungorum|access-date=9 September 2022}}</ref> This vibrant red-orange pigment is synthesized in algae in response to environmental stress factors such as lack of nutrients, increased salinity, or excessive sunlight. In this context, astaxanthin is considered a [[Xenohormetic Compound|xenohormetic compound]], as its production is a direct response to stress conditions in the microalgae. Animals who feed on the algae, such as salmon, red trout, red sea bream, flamingos, and crustaceans (shrimp, krill, crab, lobster, and crayfish), subsequently reflect the red-orange astaxanthin pigmentation.

Astaxanthin is used as a dietary supplement for human, animal, and aquaculture consumption.

== Legal Status ==

=== US ===
The US [[Food and Drug Administration (FDA)|Food and Drug Administration]] has approved astaxanthin as a food color additive for specific uses in animal and fish foods.<ref name="FDA">{{cite web|url=https://www.fda.gov/ForIndustry/ColorAdditives/ColorAdditiveInventories/ucm115641.htm|title=Summary of Color Additives for Use in United States in Foods, Drugs, Cosmetics, and Medical Devices|website=[[Food and Drug Administration]]|date=March 4, 2022}} See Note 1.</ref> Astaxanthin from algae, synthetic and bacterial sources is Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) in the United States.<ref>[http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Regulation/Astaxanthin-wins-full-GRAS-status Astaxanthin wins full GRAS status]. Nutraingredients-usa.com. Retrieved on April 25, 2013.</ref>

=== EU ===
The European Commission considers it as a food color additive with E number E161j.<ref name="food-info">[http://www.food-info.net/uk/e/e100-200.htm E-numbers : E100- E200 Food Colours]. Food-Info.net. Retrieved on April 25, 2013.</ref> The European Food Safety Authority has set an Acceptable Daily Intake of 0.2 mg per kg body weight, as of 2019.<ref>[https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2019.5920 Safety and efficacy of astaxanthin-dimethyldisuccinate (Carophyll Stay-Pink 10%-CWS) for salmonids, crustaceans and other fish] European Food Safety Authority. Retrieved on August 24, 2020.</ref>

== Todo ==

* {{pmid text|38041783}}

== References ==

<references />
[[Category:Orally Consumable Longevity Compounds]]