| Our Solution |
A NATURAL CAROTENOIDAstaxanthin belongs to the carotenoid family, a class of natural, fat-soluble pigments responsible for the red, orange and yellow hues in plants, fruits, flowers, birds, fish and crustaceans. Since salmon cannot synthesize astaxanthin, it must be consumed as part of their diet, from wild sources such as krill or as a supplemented feed ingredient. A POWERFUL ANTIOXIDANT Typically consumed by humans when eating salmon or other seafood, astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant found to be 550 times stronger than Vitamin E and 10 times stronger than beta-carotene (Shimidzu, Goto, Miki, 1996). Its unique molecular structure gives it superior antioxidant capacity and helps protect cells from oxidative stress. |
ESSENTIAL NUTRIENT SOURCE
Astaxanthin plays an important biological role in the life of salmon and is considered an essential nutrient, serving as a precursor to vitamin A (Torrissen and Christiansen, 1995). It contributes to the fertility and egg quality of females and positively affects the growth and survival of young salmon (Sigurgisladottir, et al., 1994).
A NATURAL SOURCE
Feed manufacturers and fish producers were once dependent on synthetic, non-renewable sources of astaxanthin. Now, health-conscious consumers and retailers around the world prefer natural and organic versus synthetic colors. Aquasta® is a naturally-sourced astaxanthin made from renewable ingredients, like phaffia yeast, for enriching salmon and trout feed.