ISSUE FOCUS 22 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE May 2022 than vitamin C in quenching free radicals and so protecting the cells from oxidative stress.4 It is also shown that natural astaxanthin has a 20-fold higher antioxidant potency than synthetic astaxanthin.5 In marine environments, algae rich in astaxanthin is a food for zooplankton which in turn is ingested by fish (e.g. salmonids) and exoskeleton-bearing creatures (e.g. crabs, crayfish, lobsters, krill and shrimp).6 Natural astaxanthin´s color has physical and biological functions in the animal kingdom. It protects animals in the peak of their struggle against harsh environmental conditions. In salmon, for instance, astaxanthin is thought to play an important role during their exhaustive upstream migration. The unicellular green microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis are known as the richest source of natural astaxanthin. They can be found in freshwater bodies that dry out periodically, like the rock pools in Stockholm (Sweden) archipelago. H. pluvialis accumulates high astaxanthin content under stress conditions such as high salinity, nitrogen deficiency, high temperature and light.7 In this situation, the green algae turn red. Astaxanthin protects the algae’s DNA, lipids and cell structure from UV radiation and other sources of free radicals during the whole dormant period. In this form the algae can survive for months or even years until the environment conditions improve again – this highlights the power of natural astaxanthin for increasing the chance of survival. However, the health benefits of astaxanthin are not limited to better survival rates. Its benefits have been scientifically proven for various bodily organs and systems, including muscles, eyes, brain, skin, immune and reproductive systems, etc. With the increasing awareness about the potential health benefits and safety of natural astaxanthin, its commercial use in various industries, such as aquaculture, food and feed, cosmetics, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals are expanding rapidly. The most common use of commercially produced astaxanthin is in fish farming (aquaculture) where it imparts the natural, pink-red color to farmed salmonids and crustaceans. However, a wide range of animals, including pets and animals in competitive sports (e.g. race horses), and agriculture (livestock) can benefit from this potent natural ingredient.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUxNjkxNQ==