Astaxanthin 

Introduction:

Astaxanthin, a pink-coloured keto carotenoid with chemical nature of 3:3¢dihydroxy 4 : 4¢diketo-b-carotene occurs naturally in a wide variety of living organisms such as aquatic animals, marine algae and even in some bird species.  In species such as salmon and shrimp, astaxanthin is considered as essential to normal growth and survival. Though astaxanthin is found in salmon, shrimp,lobster and in a number of bird species of flamingo and quail, it cannot be synthesized by them. It must be provided in the diet like other carotenoids. Haematococcus pluvialis is the one alga which synthesizes and accumulates high level of astaxanthin in nature, which is 1000 to 3000-fold higher

than salmon fillets. 

  Characteristics of Astaxanthin:-  

1. A powerful Antioxidant with no pro-oxidant activity.
2. Excellent scavengers of  free radicals
3. Crossess blood brains & retina barriers
4. Enhances the action of other antioxidant

Uses of Astaxanthin

Astaxanthin has tremendous commercial importance because of its manifold benefits. This pigment is closely related to other well-known carotenoids such as betacarotene or leutein but has stronger antioxidant activity, at least 10 times higher than beta-carotene, 1000 times more effective as antioxidant than vitamin E5.  Astaxanthin has important metabolic functions in animals and humans ranging:-

• Protection against oxidation of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids,
• Protection against UV light effects, provitamin A activity and vision,
• Improving muscle strength & endurance
• Aiding the digestive system
• Boosting & modulating the immune function
• Pigmentation and communication to reproductive behavior
• Improved reproduction.
• Prevention and treatment of neural damage associated with age-related macular degeneration
• Effective at treating Alzheimers disease,
• Parkinsons disease,
• Spinal cord injuries and other central nervous system injuries.