Cited by 1,287Antioxidant Activity and Oxidative StressFatty Acid Research and HealthSeaweed-derived Bioactive Compounds

Astaxanthin: a review of its chemistry and applications

Higuera-Ciapara, I., Félix-Valenzuela, L., Goycoolea, F. M.·2006·Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition

Abstract

Astaxanthin is a carotenoid widely used in salmonid and crustacean aquaculture to provide the pink color characteristic of that species. This application has been well documented for over two decades and is currently the major market driver for the pigment. Additionally, astaxanthin also plays a key role as an intermediary in reproductive processes. Synthetic astaxanthin dominates the world market but recent interest in natural sources of the pigment has increased substantially. Common sources of natural astaxanthin are the green algae Haematococcus pluvialis, the red yeast, Phaffia rhodozyma, as well as crustacean byproducts. Astaxanthin possesses an unusual antioxidant activity which has caused a surge in the nutraceutical market for the encapsulated product. Also, health benefits such as cardiovascular disease prevention, immune system boosting, bioactivity against Helycobacter pylori, and cataract prevention, have been associated with astaxanthin consumption. Research on the health benefits of astaxanthin is very recent and has mostly been performed in vitro or at the pre-clinical level with humans. This paper reviews the current available evidence regarding astaxanthin chemistry and its potential beneficial effects in humans.

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Crossref · 10.1080/10408690590957188

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  • Astaxanthin has strong antioxidant activity that is 100 times higher than α-tocopherol.

    “This product has strong antioxidant activity, which is 100 times higher than α-tocopherol (Higuera-Ciapara et al., 2006).”

    From Microalgae Metabolites: A Rich Source for Food and Medicine (2019) · cites this paper as Higuera-Ciapara et al., 2006

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Authors
Higuera-Ciapara, I., Félix-Valenzuela, L., & Goycoolea, F. M.
Affiliations
Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo (MX)
Venue
Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition
Published
2006-03
Volume
46
Issue
2
Pages
185-196
ISSN
  • 1040-8398 (ISSN-L)
  • 1549-7852
OpenAlex
W1975686505
Cited by
1,287
References
128
Citations by year
2026: 72 · 2025: 74 · 2024: 64 · 2023: 114 · 2022: 116 · 2021: 145 · 2020: 113 · 2019: 95 · 2018: 86 · 2017: 58 · 2016: 61 · 2015: 40 · 2014: 50 · 2013: 40 · 2012: 32
FWCI
13.47
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Biochemistry › Antioxidant Activity and Oxidative Stress
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Fatty Acid Research and Health
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Aquatic Science › Seaweed-derived Bioactive Compounds
Keywords
astaxanthin, carotenoids, salmonid aquaculture, crustacean aquaculture, fish coloration, reproductive function, Haematococcus pluvialis, Phaffia rhodozyma, antioxidant activity, nutraceuticals, cardiovascular disease prevention, immune system, Helicobacter pylori, cataract prevention
MeSH terms
Animals, Antioxidants, Cardiovascular Diseases, Crustacea, Humans, Immunity, Neoplasms, Yeasts, Molecular Structure, Helicobacter pylori, Helicobacter Infections, Aquaculture, Dietary Supplements, Xanthophylls, Eukaryota

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