Shandong Huashang Chemical Co., Ltd. is a high-tech enterprise focused on industry of fine chemicals research and develop, produce and sale. Shandong Huashang Chemical Co., Ltd. is located in Shan Dong Ji Nan China. we have the ability to provide you high quality products. More than 90 % of our products are exported to developed countries and regions such as north America, Europe, Japan, South Korea and the Middle East.
1. Basic Information
Name: Astaxanthin
Alias: 3,3'-Dihydroxy-β,β-carotene-4,4'-dione
CAS No.: 472-61-7
Molecular Formula: C40H52O4
Molecular Weight: 596.84
2. Physical and Chemical Properties
Physical Properties
- Appearance: Dark red to purple crystalline powder
- Odor: Odorless, slight characteristic algae odor for natural sourced product
- Solubility: Insoluble in water; soluble in chloroform, dichloromethane, acetone, ethyl acetate; slightly soluble in ethanol, vegetable oil; insoluble in aliphatic hydrocarbons
- Melting Point: 216–222 °C (decomposes)
- Specific Rotation: Natural astaxanthin (3S,3'S) [α]D2? ?170° ~ ?190° (chloroform)
- Hygroscopicity: Non-hygroscopic under normal humidity
- Color characteristic: Shows strong red-orange color in oil and organic solvents
Chemical Properties
- Molecular Structure: Long-chain carotenoid; conjugated polyene backbone with two ketone groups and two hydroxyl groups at the terminal β-ionone rings, multiple conjugated double bonds
- Antioxidant property: Extremely strong free radical scavenging capacity due to long conjugated double bond system
- Oxidation susceptibility: Easily oxidized by air, heat and oxidants, fades to pale yellow after oxidation
- Photostability: Highly sensitive to UV and strong light; light exposure accelerates degradation and color loss
- Thermal stability: Stable below 80 °C; high-temperature baking/sterilization causes decomposition and activity decline
- Compatibility: Compatible with edible oils, fat-soluble food additives and cosmetic oil phases; incompatible with strong oxidants, peroxide, heavy metal ions
3. Main Application Fields
1. Health Food & Nutraceuticals (Core Application)
- High-efficiency antioxidant raw material for soft capsules, solid drinks, anti-aging functional supplements
- Nutritional fortifier to relieve eye fatigue, protect retina, improve skin anti-oxidation and anti-ultraviolet ability
2. Feed Additive
Natural pigment and antioxidant for salmon, shrimp, poultry feed; improves animal meat/egg color and enhances livestock immunity
3. Cosmetic Raw Material
Fat-soluble antioxidant additive for facial cream, essence, sunscreen; anti-aging, inhibit melanin, reduce light damage
4. Food Colorant
Natural red color additive for beverages, candy, dairy and baked food (oil-soluble system only)
4. Quality Specification Table
| Test Item | Standard Index |
| CAS Number | 472-61-7 |
| Molecular Formula | C40H52O4 |
| Molecular Weight | 596.84 |
| Appearance | Deep red crystalline powder |
| HPLC Purity | Synthetic Grade ≥98.0%; Natural Algae Grade ≥95.0%; Reference Standard ≥99.5% |
| Water Content (KF) | ≤0.30% |
| Residue on Ignition | ≤0.10% |
| Heavy Metals (Pb) | ≤10 ppm |
| Arsenic (As) | ≤2 ppm |
| Packaging | Nitrogen-filled amber aluminum foil vacuum bag / 25kg food-grade fiber drum |
| Storage Condition | Hermetic, light-proof cool warehouse below 20 °C; isolate air and oxidants |
| Transportation Requirement | Light-sensitive carotenoid solid, nitrogen-sealed light-proof packaging |
| Shelf Life | 24 months under intact nitrogen-filled vacuum packaging |
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