Astaxanthin is a molecule belonging to carotenoids family; it is produced by phytoplankton and unicellular microalgae like Haematococcus pluvialis and it is then found downstream in the food chain in shrimps, zooplankton, crustaceans, fishes (like salmons) and birds, in which it also appears as a typical red color at different intensity. In H. pluvialis, that is also the most abundant natural source of astaxanthin, this xanthophyll acts as a direct protection against dangerous UV radiations, to protect fragile cellular structures from oxidative damage caused by light irradiation.

In various superior organisms, including humans, astaxanthin exerts a very peculiar and specific antioxidant function: due to its amphipathic chemical structure (lipophylic in the middle and polar at the sides) astaxanthin is positioned within cellular membranes (parallel to phospholipids) and it is capable of scavenging free radicals that can damage macromolecules both superficially and deep in the lipid double layer. Astaxanthin also possesses well known anti-inflammatory properties, inhibiting NF-kB signalling pathway.

AstaReal® has always been a pioneer in development, production and formulation of natural astaxanthin, already since ’80 of last century; production is performed in closed photobioreactors in which cultural and light conditions are perfectly controlled. Through an accurate monitoring of different growth and production phases of microalgae, a product is obtained at maximum level of quality, yield and purity, in full isolation from external environment, therefore devoid of contaminants.

Astaxanthin’s health benefits are scientifically supported (obtained in studies mostly performed using AstaReal® astaxanthin) and cover a wide range of areas: brain and CNS, cardiovascular health, skin health (through both topic and systemic actions) and eyes health. Significant effects have also been demonstrated in sports performance.

Astareal® astaxanthin is available as bulk raw material in different versions, for the maximum flexibility in formulation:

• A1010: original version, consisting in dried H. pluvialis biomass, standardized at 5% astaxanthin;
• L10: oil obtained through supercritical CO2 extraction of microalgae biomass, standardized at 10% astaxanthin
• EL25: microencapsulated and hydrodyspersible powder, standardized at 2.5% astaxanthin.

Moreover ready softgels are also available.