Astaxanthin is a member of the carotenoid family. Carotenoids, such as beta-carotene, are phytochemicals, or substances in plant foods, such as vegetables, that offer health benefits and are responsible for their bright colors. The red pigment in astaxanthin is called xanthophyll. This carotenoid is extracted from microalgae, where it is naturally present, that grows on Hawaii's Kona Coast. It is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for giving some foods, such as fish, a reddish-pink hue.
Salmon
Astaxanthin is available in supplement form, however, the most commonly consumed food sources of astaxanthin in the U.S. are fish, particularly those reddish-pink in color. Fish varieties known as salmonids, such as salmon and trout, as well as red sea bream, contain astaxanthin. Astaxanthin accounts for more than 90 percent of the total carotenoid content in the flesh of these wild fish varieties. They feed on astaxanthin-rich microalgae or crustaceans that have fed on the microalgae, according to Aquamedia. Farm-raised varieties of these fish may be administered astaxanthin in their food. Generally, the astaxanthin content of salmonids is 3 to 40ppm.
Lobster and Shrimp
In the flesh of marine fish, carotenoids are the dominant pigment. However, in lobsters and shrimps, the carotenoid, such as astaxanthin, is attached to a protein, producing what is known as a carotenoprotein. This carotenoprotein gives living custacea a blue color but when cooked, in the presence of heat, the molecule is cleaved, resulting in the red color of cooked lobsters and shrimp, according to Aquamedia. Crustaceans and Arctic shrimp contain more astaxanthin than the salmonids. Crustaceans offer 400ppm while Arctic shrimp contain a higher concentration, 1,200ppm.
Microalgae
The highest natural source of astaxanthin is the Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae. The astaxanthin acts as a natural "sunscreen" to protect the microalgae from the sun's damaging ultraviolet rays. The microalgae is particularly prone to UV damage when the habitat or region they inhabit dries-up, which may happen periodically. The algae is available in dried and cracked form, not unlike seaweed products. The algae may contain 15,000 to 20,000ppm of astaxanthin, according to the Beta-Force website. Make sure, if you buy any raw algae products, that they come from a safe, reputable source and unpolluted waters.
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