ISSUE FOCUS 34 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE December 2022 a wide array of proven health benefits for both humans and animals offers huge potential for meeting the pet food market needs for novel and sustainable ingredients. The reasons for microalgae and its astaxanthin being considered as sustainable food and ingredient source are discussed in details in a previous article (5). Innovations in pet food and supplement manufacturing encompass a shift towards functional formulations based on novel ingredient sources like algae as potential sustainable solutions to better protect companion pets’ health and well-being. One challenge in incorporating various natural bioactive compounds into food and supplement formulas is that many of these compounds are susceptible to degradation and may interact with other components in the formula, resulting in loss of the bioactivity of the ingredient and reduction of the quality of the final product (6). For similar reasons, ingredients might have limited applications as they cannot stand production processes like extrusion or pelleting. Therefore, innovative ingredient formats are needed to overcome the challenge and protect the stability of the ingredients and extend their application profile. Below, we will introduce the recently launched astaxanthin format for pet food by AstaReal that resolves the problem to a great extent and helps pet food manufacturers to take their products to the next level and stand out in the market. A RED MIRACLE FROM THE BLUE NATURE In nature, astaxanthin is known to support animals against harsh environmental conditions. Scientific studies on astaxanthin’s health benefits in animals have proven its potential in strengthening immune defense, eye health, mobility, reproduction and much more. For instance, natural astaxanthin supplementation in both dogs and cats could enhance immune defense and improve immune response (7,8). In dogs, astaxanthin supplementation has shown a significant effect on muscle recovery (9). Moreover, in another study on dogs suffering from an inflammatory eye condition, a diet containing astaxanthin for 60 days could significantly increase the eye’s tear production and to clinically ameliorate the inflammation status in the eyes in these dogs that were initially poorly responsive or unresponsive to immune-suppressive therapy (10). Aging pet population represents a missed opportunity. With veterinary care advancements, and improvement of families’ socioeconomic status alongside the modern lifestyle trends, higher number of pets are accompanying humans till older ages. Natural astaxanthin opens up huge opportunity to address the nutritional needs of the ever-growing aging pet population. AstaReal as the global pioneer and expert in microalgae cultivation, natural astaxanthin production, R&D and clinical science is an authority in both animal and human food supplements. It is the only brand of natural astaxanthin backed by over 70 clinical studies. Originated from the rock pools in Stockholm (Sweden) archipelago, AstaReal’s microalgae are being cultivated in closed indoor photobioreactors under fully controlled conditions. This cultivation system assures the highest purity and quality of the final products.
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