Astaxanthin: Sources, Extraction, Stability, Biological Activities and Its Commercial Applications—A Review

Marine Drugs

Ranga Rao Ambati¹  Phang Siew Moi¹  Sarada Ravi² 

[1] Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia; E-Mail:;Plant Cell Biotechnology Department, Central Food Technological Research Institute, (Constituent Laboratory of Council of Scientific & Industrial Research), Mysore-570020, Karnataka, India; E-Mail:

关键词: astaxanthin;    sources;    stability;    biological activities;    health benefits;    applications;   

DOI  :  10.3390/md12010128

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

There is currently much interest in biological active compounds derived from natural resources, especially compounds that can efficiently act on molecular targets, which are involved in various diseases. Astaxanthin (3,3′-dihydroxy-β, β′-carotene-4,4′-dione) is a xanthophyll carotenoid, contained in Haematococcus pluvialis, Chlorella zofingiensis, Chlorococcum, and Phaffia rhodozyma. It accumulates up to 3.8% on the dry weight basis in H. pluvialis. Our recent published data on astaxanthin extraction, analysis, stability studies, and its biological activities results were added to this review paper. Based on our results and current literature, astaxanthin showed potential biological activity in in vitro and in vivo models. These studies emphasize the influence of astaxanthin and its beneficial effects on the metabolism in animals and humans. Bioavailability of astaxanthin in animals was enhanced after feeding Haematococcus biomass as a source of astaxanthin. Astaxanthin, used as a nutritional supplement, antioxidant and anticancer agent, prevents diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders, and also stimulates immunization. Astaxanthin products are used for commercial applications in the dosage forms as tablets, capsules, syrups, oils, soft gels, creams, biomass and granulated powders. Astaxanthin patent applications are available in food, feed and nutraceutical applications. The current review provides up-to-date information on astaxanthin sources, extraction, analysis, stability, biological activities, health benefits and special attention paid to its commercial applications.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2014 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.