Specification :

English name : astaxanthin
Molecular formula : C40H52O4
Molecular weight: : 596.90
CAS No.: 472-61-7
Melt Point: 211.0 C to 215.0 C
Solubility: Poor solubility in water, sol. in CHCl3 ( 6mg/ ml) & DMF ( 0.5ng/ ml)
Appearance: Fine crystal powder
Color: wine
Synonyms: 3, 3' -dihydroxy-.beta., .beta.-carotene-4, 4' -dione
Astaxanthin is one of a group of natural pigments known as carotenoids. Commercial production of astaxanthin from the microalga Haematococcus pluvialis for its high astaxanthin content. Some other commercial ventures for natural astaxanthin production utilize fermentation of the pink yeast Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous or extraction of the pigment from by-products of crustacea such as the Antarctic krill ( Euphausia superba) .
In addition to production from natural sources, astaxanthin may be chemically synthesized, and synthetic astaxanthin is the major form currently being used in fish feeds not suitable for human consume.Astaxanthin has three stereoisomers: 3S, 3' S, 3R, 3' S, or 3R, 3' R.