Astaxanthin is a xanthophyll and naturally synthesized by a green microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis. It is considered as the most bioactive antioxidant pigment and economically important for nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and food industries due to its high antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antitumor properties.

H. pluvialis grown in photobioreactors in specific conditions has two stages before downstream process for astaxanthin extraction. The first stage is called “vegetative green stage” in which algae cells has grown in optimum conditions and increase the number of cells as many as possible. In the second stage called as “red stage” where algae cells exposed to stress factors like high light intensity, high salinity or nutrient deficiency, astaxanthin biosynthesis is tigered. They stop cell division and increased cell volume accompanied by astaxanthin accumulation in lipid droplets. Then, red stage algae culture has been treated with several downstream process that are harvesting, drying, cell disturbance before astaxanthin extraction process. Extracted natural astaxanthin are encapsulated against oxidation.

As a dietary supplement astaxanthin prevent our protein, lipid membrane and DNAs by absorbing the excited energy of free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are produced in our cells during metabolic activity. Plenty of high impact research show variety of beneficial biological activities of astaxanthin such as protection against UV damage, immunomodulatory activity, metabolic syndromes, cardio protective effects, anti-inflammatory activity, anti-diabetic activity, protective activity for neurol damage, anti-aging and anti-cancer activity and inhibition of cell membrane peroxidation. Beside numerous protective effects on our body, having no pro-oxidative effects put astaxanthin a superior position among of all antioxidants.

A unique chemical structure of astaxanthin in the presence of hydroxyl (OH-) and keto (=O) ending in their terminal rings allow it to cross the cell membrane perpendicularly and protect the cell from both outer and inner side oxidative effects without any pro-oxidant activity. In the comparison with other antioxidants, astaxanthin show activity 500 times higher than vitamin E and 38 times more than beta-carotene.

Astaxanthin have been also used as a cosmetic ingredient in cream and lotion-based products to accesses its direct effects on human skin. However, low dissolving capacity of astaxanthin in such platforms and quick oxidation result in low bioavailability in skin care applications. A new encapsulation technology “electrospinning” now provides promising solution for full protection of astaxanthin against oxidation and full bioavailability without dose limitation. More details about electrospinning.