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Quick Specs
FormH. pluvialis Oleoresin
Purity5% or 10% (HPLC)
SourceHaematococcus pluvialis
Shelf life18 months (2–8°C)
MOQ1 kg (sample); 5 kg (commercial)
Nutraceuticals

Astaxanthin

Natural Keto-Carotenoid 5% & 10% Oleoresin Haematococcus pluvialis 6,000× Vitamin C ORAC
The world's most potent natural antioxidant — spanning cell membranes from inner to outer leaflet for total lipid peroxidation protection.
Astaxanthin (C₄₀H₅₂O₄, CAS 472-61-7) is a keto-carotenoid that gives the characteristic pink-red colour to salmon, shrimp, flamingos, and krill. Unlike other carotenoids, astaxanthin has both keto and hydroxyl groups on each of its terminal ionone rings, enabling it to span the full width of cellular membranes (anchoring at both the inner and outer phospholipid leaflets simultaneously) — a unique property that makes it an exceptionally effective membrane antioxidant. Natural astaxanthin from the microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis is the primary commercial source for supplement applications; synthetic astaxanthin (produced from petrochemical precursors) is used almost exclusively in aquaculture as an animal feed additive and is considered distinct in biology and regulation.

Astaxanthin is the most antioxidant-potent natural compound measured by ORAC assay: approximately 6,000× greater than vitamin C, 800× greater than CoQ10, 550× greater than vitamin E, and 75× greater than alpha-lipoic acid. This extraordinary potency, combined with its unique trans-membrane positioning and BBB penetration, underpins its clinical evidence in skin aging, sports performance, eye fatigue, and cardiovascular protection. SV Botanica supplies natural astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis, made at GMP/ISO-certified facilities, HPLC-tested for both total and free astaxanthin content.
Available specifications
Astaxanthin 5% Oleoresin
Natural H. pluvialis — softgel-ready
Astaxanthin 10% Oleoresin
Concentrated natural grade
Astaxanthin 2% Powder
H. pluvialis biomass powder, standardised
Astaxanthin Synthetic
Aquaculture and non-supplement applications
  • Cold chain is standard, not optional — 2–8°C shipping applies to all oleoresin grades and the 18-month shelf life assumes refrigerated, nitrogen-flushed storage throughout. Plan receiving and storage accordingly.
  • Lipid matrix requirement — insoluble in water and soluble in oils. The 5% oleoresin is supplied softgel-ready; aqueous formats need a beadlet or emulsion system rather than the oleoresin directly.
  • Natural versus synthetic — the synthetic grade is offered for aquaculture and non-supplement applications and is not interchangeable with the H. pluvialis material on a botanical or natural declaration. Specify which you require.
  • Deep red colour — the strongest pigment in the carotenoid range here. It carries into softgel shells and any finished format, and will tint an oil base at low inclusion.
  • Biomass powder — the 2% standardised H. pluvialis powder suits dry formats where an oleoresin is impractical, at the cost of a much lower assay.
  • Contaminant panel — specified with a heavy metals and marine contaminants panel in addition to the standard NMT 10 ppm heavy metals with lead at NMT 0.5 ppm, reflecting the algal source.
  • Packaging — 5 kg and 25 kg sealed containers with nitrogen headspace under refrigeration, and 1 kg opaque nitrogen-flushed foil bags for the concentrated grade.
  • Documentation — each batch ships with a CoA covering assay against the stated grade, the heavy metals and marine contaminants panel, moisture at NMT 1.0% and microbial limits.
Softgel and oil-based supplements
Sports and recovery formats
Cosmetic and topical systems
Colour and functional food systems
Aquaculture feed (synthetic grade)
Beadlet and emulsion formats
Pet and animal nutrition
Private-label and contract manufacture
Common nameAstaxanthin
IUPAC name(3S,3'S)-3,3'-Dihydroxy-β,β-carotene-4,4'-dione (natural form)
SynonymsAstaxanthin; (3S,3'S)-Astaxanthin; Ovoester (esterified form)
CAS number472-61-7
Molecular formulaC₄₀H₅₂O₄
Molecular weight596.84 g/mol
AppearanceDeep red to dark red viscous oleoresin
Assay (HPLC)≥5.0% astaxanthin (oleoresin); reported as total astaxanthin (free + esterified)
SourceHaematococcus pluvialis microalgae (natural supplement grade)
Stereoisomer profilePredominantly 3S,3'S (natural); trace 3S,3'R meso form
Free vs esterifiedH. pluvialis: predominantly esterified (with fatty acids); reported on COA
Antioxidant potencyORAC ~6,000× vitamin C; ~550× vitamin E; ~800× CoQ10 (in vitro comparative data)
Molecular length~3.4 nm (spans full phospholipid bilayer width)
SolubilityInsoluble in water; soluble in oils, DMSO, chloroform; requires lipid matrix
Heavy metalsNMT 10 ppm total; Lead NMT 0.5 ppm; Mercury NMT 0.1 ppm; Arsenic NMT 0.5 ppm
Microbial limitsTotal aerobic count NMT 10³ CFU/g; Absence of Salmonella, E. coli; marine biotoxins absent
Pesticide residuesComplies with EU Regulation 396/2005 MRLs; algae-specific contaminant panel
Moisture (LOD)NMT 1.0%
Shelf life18 months (2–8°C, nitrogen-flushed, opaque packaging)
Storage2–8°C, nitrogen atmosphere, opaque containers, away from light and heat
5 kg and 25 kg sealed containers with nitrogen headspace and refrigeration
1 kg aluminium foil bags (concentrated grade, nitrogen-flushed, opaque deep red packaging)
Cold-chain shipping (2–8°C) standard for all oleoresin grades
Custom concentrations and biomass powder grades available for different formulation needs
Quality Assurance

Haematococcus pluvialis Source. Natural 3S,3'S Stereoisomer. HPLC-Confirmed.

Every astaxanthin batch is tested by HPLC for total astaxanthin content, free vs esterified astaxanthin ratio, stereoisomer profile confirming natural origin, heavy metals, and marine contaminant panel. Cold-chain storage standard.

01

HPLC stereoisomer verification

COA confirms predominantly 3S,3'S natural stereoisomer configuration (distinguishes natural H. pluvialis from synthetic racemic mixture); total and free astaxanthin separately quantified.

02

Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae sourcing

Closed photobioreactor cultivation in certified GMP facilities; no marine contaminants; free of heavy metals, algal toxins, and pesticides; microalgae identity confirmed by microscopy and carotenoid profiling.

03

Marine contaminant panel

Heavy metals panel includes mercury, lead, arsenic, cadmium; tested for marine biotoxins and algal metabolites; microbial safety tested to USP standards.

04

Export documentation

COA, MSDS, Certificate of Origin provided with every shipment; Halal/Kosher on request. Cold-chain logistics coordinated for all oleoresin grades.

Formulation Intelligence

Astaxanthin Buyer's Guide: Why Natural Beats Synthetic, Membrane Antioxidant Science & Application Dosing

Astaxanthin holds a rare position in the nutraceutical world — the antioxidant potency claim is so extreme (6,000× vitamin C) that buyers often treat it with scepticism until they understand the structural chemistry behind it. And the natural vs synthetic distinction is more practically significant here than for almost any other nutraceutical, because regulatory access for human supplements is limited to the natural form in most major markets.

Natural Grade

Haematococcus pluvialis — 3S,3'S

CAS 472-61-7 · Deep red oleoresin, 5% or 10% astaxanthin

Predominantly 3S,3'S stereoisomer. Approved for human supplement use (EU Novel Food authorised, US GRAS, Japan approved). The only grade suitable for human supplement formulations. Esterified with fatty acids as it occurs naturally in the microalgae.

Natural H. pluvialis is the only commercially available human-supplement-grade astaxanthin.
Trans-Membrane Position

How It Works in Membranes

Molecular length ~3.4 nm — the full bilayer width

The astaxanthin molecule is 3.4nm long — almost exactly the width of a phospholipid bilayer. The polar keto-hydroxyl groups at each end hydrogen-bond to the polar phosphate head groups on both leaflets simultaneously. This creates a molecular 'scaffold' that quenches lipid peroxidation chain reactions throughout the membrane cross-section. Compare: beta-carotene sits only in the hydrophobic core; lutein sits between the leaflets. Neither spans the full bilayer.

This trans-membrane positioning explains astaxanthin's unique effectiveness vs other carotenoids.
Skin Application

Dose & Duration for Skin Benefits

Clinical dose: 4–6 mg/day · Minimum duration: 8 weeks

The most reliable skin evidence uses 4–6mg/day for 8–12 weeks minimum. Faster visible results at 6mg/day vs 4mg/day. Combine with collagen peptides (5–10g/day) for synergistic wrinkle and firmness outcomes. Vitamin C (500mg) adds cofactor support for collagen biosynthesis. Minimum purchase commitment for consumer trials: 3 months supply.

Skin benefits are visible on clinical photography but subjective consumer perception typically takes 6–8 weeks minimum.
Sports Application

Performance & Recovery Dosing

General recovery: 4 mg/day · Elite athletes: 12–20 mg/day

Sports performance studies use higher doses: 4mg/day for general antioxidant recovery; 12–20mg/day for elite athletes (endurance sports). Mechanism: reduces exercise-induced mitochondrial ROS, preserves muscle membrane integrity during eccentric muscle contractions, and may improve fatty acid utilisation efficiency (sparing glycogen). Commonly co-formulated with omega-3 EPA in softgel formats.

Softgel format with krill or fish oil provides both astaxanthin and omega-3 in a single delivery vehicle — increasingly popular sports recovery product.
Buyer FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

A 5% Haematococcus pluvialis oleoresin as the standard softgel-ready grade, a 10% concentrated natural grade, a 2% standardised biomass powder, and a synthetic grade for aquaculture and other non-supplement applications.
No. Cold-chain shipping at 2–8°C is standard for all oleoresin grades, and the 18-month shelf life assumes refrigerated, nitrogen-flushed storage throughout. Plan receiving and storage before ordering.
The natural material is from Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae; the synthetic grade is offered for aquaculture and non-supplement applications. They are not interchangeable on a natural or botanical declaration, so specify which you require at enquiry.
It is insoluble in water and soluble in oils. The 5% oleoresin is supplied softgel-ready; aqueous formats need a beadlet or emulsion system rather than the oleoresin directly.
Assay against the stated grade, a heavy metals and marine contaminants panel reflecting the algal source, heavy metals at NMT 10 ppm with lead at NMT 0.5 ppm, moisture at NMT 1.0%, and microbial limits.
Deep red to dark red, the strongest pigment in our carotenoid range. It carries into softgel shells and any finished format and will tint an oil base at low inclusion levels.
Dry formats where an oleoresin is impractical. It is standardised H. pluvialis biomass, at a much lower assay than the oleoresin grades, so confirm which basis your specification uses.
5 kg and 25 kg sealed containers with nitrogen headspace under refrigeration, and 1 kg opaque nitrogen-flushed aluminium foil bags for the concentrated grade. Custom concentrations and biomass powder grades are available.
Against your specification and volume. Grade, concentration, natural versus synthetic and cold-chain requirements all move the price.
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Supplied as a bulk ingredient for further manufacture. Buyers are responsible for compliance with the regulations of their destination market. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.