Astaxanthin

Astaxanthin is produced naturally in the freshwater microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis and the yeast fungus Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous (also known as Phaffia rhodozyma).^[1] 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, 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 has approved astaxanthin as a food color additive for specific uses in animal and fish foods.^[2] Astaxanthin from algae, synthetic and bacterial sources is Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) in the United States.^[3]

EU

The European Commission considers it as a food color additive with E number E161j.^[4] The European Food Safety Authority has set an Acceptable Daily Intake of 0.2 mg per kg body weight, as of 2019.^[5]

Todo

2023, Astaxanthin and meclizine extend lifespan in UM-HET3 male mice; fisetin, SG1002 (hydrogen sulfide donor), dimethyl fumarate, mycophenolic acid, and 4-phenylbutyrate do not significantly affect lifespan in either sex at the doses and schedules used ^[6]

References

↑ Phaffia rhodozyma M.W. Mill., Yoney. & Soneda - Names Record, http://www.speciesfungorum.org/Names/NamesRecord.asp?RecordID=319694
↑ Summary of Color Additives for Use in United States in Foods, Drugs, Cosmetics, and Medical Devices, https://www.fda.gov/ForIndustry/ColorAdditives/ColorAdditiveInventories/ucm115641.htm See Note 1.
↑ Astaxanthin wins full GRAS status. Nutraingredients-usa.com. Retrieved on April 25, 2013.
↑ E-numbers : E100- E200 Food Colours. Food-Info.net. Retrieved on April 25, 2013.
↑ 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.
↑ Harrison DE et al.: Astaxanthin and meclizine extend lifespan in UM-HET3 male mice; fisetin, SG1002 (hydrogen sulfide donor), dimethyl fumarate, mycophenolic acid, and 4-phenylbutyrate do not significantly affect lifespan in either sex at the doses and schedules used. Geroscience 2023. (PMID 38041783) [PubMed] [DOI] [Full text] Abstract
In genetically heterogeneous (UM-HET3) mice produced by the CByB6F1 × C3D2F1 cross, the Nrf2 activator astaxanthin (Asta) extended the median male lifespan by 12% (p = 0.003, log-rank test), while meclizine (Mec), an mTORC1 inhibitor, extended the male lifespan by 8% (p = 0.03). Asta was fed at 1840 ± 520 (9) ppm and Mec at 544 ± 48 (9) ppm, stated as mean ± SE (n) of independent diet preparations. Both were started at 12 months of age. The 90th percentile lifespan for both treatments was extended in absolute value by 6% in males, but neither was significant by the Wang-Allison test. Five other new agents were also tested as follows: fisetin, SG1002 (hydrogen sulfide donor), dimethyl fumarate, mycophenolic acid, and 4-phenylbutyrate. None of these increased lifespan significantly at the dose and method of administration tested in either sex. Amounts of dimethyl fumarate in the diet averaged 35% of the target dose, which may explain the absence of lifespan effects. Body weight was not significantly affected in males by any of the test agents. Late life weights were lower in females fed Asta and Mec, but lifespan was not significantly affected in these females. The male-specific lifespan benefits from Asta and Mec may provide insights into sex-specific aspects of aging.

[1] Phaffia rhodozyma M.W. Mill., Yoney. & Soneda - Names Record, http://www.speciesfungorum.org/Names/NamesRecord.asp?RecordID=319694

[FDA-2] Summary of Color Additives for Use in United States in Foods, Drugs, Cosmetics, and Medical Devices, https://www.fda.gov/ForIndustry/ColorAdditives/ColorAdditiveInventories/ucm115641.htm See Note 1.

[3] Astaxanthin wins full GRAS status. Nutraingredients-usa.com. Retrieved on April 25, 2013.

[food-info-4] E-numbers : E100- E200 Food Colours. Food-Info.net. Retrieved on April 25, 2013.

[5] 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.

[pmid38041783-6] Harrison DE et al.: Astaxanthin and meclizine extend lifespan in UM-HET3 male mice; fisetin, SG1002 (hydrogen sulfide donor), dimethyl fumarate, mycophenolic acid, and 4-phenylbutyrate do not significantly affect lifespan in either sex at the doses and schedules used. Geroscience 2023. (PMID 38041783) [PubMed] [DOI] [Full text] Abstract
In genetically heterogeneous (UM-HET3) mice produced by the CByB6F1 × C3D2F1 cross, the Nrf2 activator astaxanthin (Asta) extended the median male lifespan by 12% (p = 0.003, log-rank test), while meclizine (Mec), an mTORC1 inhibitor, extended the male lifespan by 8% (p = 0.03). Asta was fed at 1840 ± 520 (9) ppm and Mec at 544 ± 48 (9) ppm, stated as mean ± SE (n) of independent diet preparations. Both were started at 12 months of age. The 90th percentile lifespan for both treatments was extended in absolute value by 6% in males, but neither was significant by the Wang-Allison test. Five other new agents were also tested as follows: fisetin, SG1002 (hydrogen sulfide donor), dimethyl fumarate, mycophenolic acid, and 4-phenylbutyrate. None of these increased lifespan significantly at the dose and method of administration tested in either sex. Amounts of dimethyl fumarate in the diet averaged 35% of the target dose, which may explain the absence of lifespan effects. Body weight was not significantly affected in males by any of the test agents. Late life weights were lower in females fed Asta and Mec, but lifespan was not significantly affected in these females. The male-specific lifespan benefits from Asta and Mec may provide insights into sex-specific aspects of aging.

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