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Food colors

Astaxanthin

Also known as Ovoester, all-trans-Astaxanthin, BioAstin

CAS 472-61-7Formula C40H52O4Molar mass 596.85 g/molEC 207-451-4
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Astaxanthin chemical structure, C40H52O4, CAS 472-61-7
2D chemical structure

Key facts

What buyers check first

All properties
CAS number
472-61-7
Formula
C40H52O4
Appearance
Needles from acetone/light petroleum
Melting point
182 to 183
HS code
320418
Category
Food colors
Illustrative photo, a shrink wrapped pallet of kraft paper sacks in a chemical plant
Typical packagingIllustrative packaging image, not the actual product

What is Astaxanthin?

Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms

Astaxanthin is a carotenone that consists of beta,beta-carotene-4,4'-dione bearing two hydroxy substituents at positions 3 and 3' (the 3S,3'S diastereomer). A carotenoid pigment found mainly in animals (crustaceans, echinoderms) but also occurring in plants. It can occur free (as a red pigment), as an ester, or as a blue, brown or green chromoprotein. It has a role as an antioxidant, an anticoagulant, an animal metabolite, a plant metabolite and a food colouring. It is a carotenol and a carotenone. It derives from a hydride of a beta-carotene.

Astaxanthin is a chemical compound often used to color trout to look like salmon.

Identifiers

Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy

IUPAC name
(6S)-6-hydroxy-3-[(1E,3E,5E,7E,9E,11E,13E,15E,17E)-18-[(4S)-4-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-3-oxocyclohexen-1-yl]-3,7,12,16-tetramethyloctadeca-1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17-nonaenyl]-2,4,4-trimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-one
CAS number
472-61-7 CAS number cross-checked
EC numbers
207-451-4, 231-424-6
Molecular formula
C40H52O4
UNII
8XPW32PR7I
MDL number
MFCD00672621
INCI name
ASTAXANTHIN
InChIKey
MQZIGYBFDRPAKN-UWFIBFSHSA-N
InChI
InChI=1S/C40H52O4/c1-27(17-13-19-29(3)21-23-33-31(5)37(43)35(41)25-39(33,7)8)15-11-12-16-28(2)18-14-20-30(4)22-24-34-32(6)38(44)36(42)26-40(34,9)10/h11-24,35-36,41-42H,25-26H2,1-10H3/b12-11+,17-13+,18-14+,23-21+,24-22+,27-15+,28-16+,29-19+,30-20+/t35-,36-/m0/s1
Canonical SMILES
CC(C=CC=C(C)C=CC1=C(C)C(=O)C(O)CC1(C)C)=CC=CC=C(C)C=CC=C(C)C=CC1=C(C)C(=O)C(O)CC1(C)C
Isomeric SMILES
CC1=C(C(C[C@@H](C1=O)O)(C)C)/C=C/C(=C/C=C/C(=C/C=C/C=C(/C=C/C=C(/C=C/C2=C(C(=O)[C@H](CC2(C)C)O)C)\C)\C)/C)/C

Synonyms

  • Ovoester
  • all-trans-Astaxanthin
  • BioAstin
  • AstaREAL
  • Astaxanthine
  • (3S,3'S)-Astaxanthin
  • Carophyll Pink
  • (3S,3'S)-3,3'-Dihydroxy-beta,beta-carotene-4,4'-dione
  • 3,3'-Dihydroxy-beta-carotene-4,4'-dione
  • beta,beta-Carotene-4,4'-dione, 3,3'-dihydroxy-, (3S,3'S)-
  • Natupink
  • Astaxanthin, (3S,3'S)-
  • 3S,3'S-Astaxanthin
  • Astaxanthin (Standard)
  • (3S,3'S)-all-trans-Astaxanthin
  • beta-Carotene-4,4'-dione
  • 3,3'-Dihydroxy-b,b-carotene-4,4'-dione
  • beta-Carotene-4,4'-dione, 3,3'-dihydroxy-, all-trans-
  • Lucantin Pink
  • trans-Astaxanthin
  • BioAstin oleoresin
  • Astaxanthin (6CI)
  • Astaxanthin, all-trans-
  • astaxantin
  • trans-Astaxanthi
Show all 29 synonyms
  • Astaxanthin - 95%
  • Astaxanthin, all-trans-, (3S,3'S)-
  • Astaxanthin Oil 10%
  • Astaxanthin, 5% active

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values and descriptors computed from the structure

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values, check the supplier specification for your grade

Appearance
Needles from acetone/light petroleumexp.
Melting point
182 to 183exp.

Values vary by grade. Ask suppliers for the COA or TDS of the batch you buy.

Computed descriptors

Calculated from the structure, useful for screening and formulation

Molecular weight
596.85 g/molcalc.
Exact mass
596.3866 Dacalc.
LogP (octanol/water)
8.91calc.
Topological polar surface area
74.6 Ųcalc.
Hydrogen bond donors
2calc.
Hydrogen bond acceptors
4calc.
Rotatable bonds
10calc.
Heavy atoms
44calc.
Rings
2calc.
Aromatic rings
0calc.
Fraction sp3 carbons
0.4calc.
Formal charge
0calc.
Stereocentres
2calc.
Lipinski rule of five
Fails (2 violations)calc.

Calculated for screening. Confirm critical figures with the supplier.

Murcko scaffold

The ring system that remains when every side chain is removed

Murcko scaffold of this chemical, O=C1C=C(C=CC=CC=CC=CC=CC=CC=CC=CC=CC2=CC(=O)CCC2)CCC1

O=C1C=C(C=CC=CC=CC=CC=CC=CC=CC=CC=CC2=CC(=O)CCC2)CCC1

2 rings, 32 atoms.

18 other chemicals share this scaffold

Safety and hazards

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet

GHS classification
Hazard pictograms

Hazard statements

  • H413May cause long lasting harmful effects to aquatic life.
Precautionary statements (2)
  • P273Avoid release to the environment.
  • P501Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local regulations.

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet (SDS). Classifications can differ by supplier, grade and concentration. Always check the supplier's SDS.

Full safety data and first aid

Astaxanthin suppliers

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All 170 suppliers
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Where suppliers are based

170 suppliers in 20 countries

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Astaxanthin price

Indicative price range per kg from live supplier offers

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Uses and applications

What the substance is used for, by industry and function

The carotenoid pigment astaxanthin has important applications in the nutraceutical, cosmetics, food and feed industries.

Astaxanthin is a carotenoid widely used in salmonid and crustacean aquaculture to provide the pink color characteristic of that species.

Cosmetic ingredient, INCI name ASTAXANTHIN(skin conditioning)

Roles

  • additive
  • animal metabolite
  • anti-inflammatory agent
  • anticoagulant
  • antioxidant
  • eukaryotic metabolite
  • food additive
  • food colouring
  • food component
  • hematologic agent
  • metabolite
  • pharmaceutical
  • physiological role
  • plant metabolite

Functional uses

  • Dye
  • Flavouring and nutrient
  • Softener and conditioner

Cosmetic functions

  • Skin conditioning

Pharmacology

Astaxanthin is a natural and synthetic xanthophyll and nonprovitamin A carotenoid, with potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antineoplastic activities. Upon administration, astaxanthin may act as an antioxidant and reduce oxidative stress, thereby preventing protein and lipid oxidation and DNA damage.

Read more

By decreasing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and free radicals, it may also prevent ROS-induced activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) transcription factor and the production of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1beta (IL-1b), IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a). In addition, astaxanthin may inhibit cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and nitric oxide (NO) activities, thereby reducing inflammation. Oxidative stress and inflammation play key roles in the pathogenesis of many diseases, including cardiovascular, neurological, autoimmune and neoplastic diseases.

Regulatory status

Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance

Health and food

  • EU cosmetic ingredient inventory

HS code and trade data

Customs classification and reported world trade statistics

Global trade

World import and export statistics for the HS code Astaxanthin is traded under.

HS 3204.18Indicative HS code

Carotenoid colouring matters and preparations based thereon

World exports in 2024
$696M
+8.0% vs 2023, imports $526M
2022 to 2024
Top exporters
  1. France * partner reported34.6%
  2. Netherlands31.7%
  3. Germany12.1%
Top importers
  1. Netherlands34.7%
  2. China6.3%
  3. France * partner reported5.0%

* Partner reported figures, a lower bound.

Reported customs values in USD, not prices.Full trade data

The HS code shown for Astaxanthin is indicative (it is known at chapter level only). Confirm the classification with your customs broker before shipping.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Astaxanthin, based on the data on this page

What is Astaxanthin?

Astaxanthin is a carotenone that consists of beta,beta-carotene-4,4'-dione bearing two hydroxy substituents at positions 3 and 3' (the 3S,3'S diastereomer). A carotenoid pigment found mainly in animals (crustaceans, echinoderms) but also occurring in plants.

What is the CAS number of Astaxanthin?

The CAS registry number of Astaxanthin is 472-61-7.

What is the molecular formula and weight of Astaxanthin?

The molecular formula of Astaxanthin is C40H52O4 and its molar mass is 596.85 g/mol.

What is Astaxanthin used for?

The carotenoid pigment astaxanthin has important applications in the nutraceutical, cosmetics, food and feed industries. Astaxanthin is a carotenoid widely used in salmonid and crustacean aquaculture to provide the pink color characteristic of that species.

Is Astaxanthin hazardous?

Astaxanthin has a GHS hazard classification. Main hazards: may cause long lasting harmful effects to aquatic life. This summary is not an SDS, always read the supplier safety data sheet.

What is the HS code of Astaxanthin?

Astaxanthin is usually classified under HS code 320418 (Carotenoid colouring matters and preparations based thereon). This is indicative, confirm it with your customs broker before shipping.

Where can I buy Astaxanthin?

CompoundList lists 170 suppliers of Astaxanthin in China, United States, India, Germany and 16 more. Send one free request to get and compare quotes. Your contact details stay private until you accept a quote.

Where can I buy Astaxanthin in India?

21 suppliers in India list Astaxanthin on CompoundList. Filter the suppliers list by country and send a request to compare prices, grades and delivery times.

What is the price of Astaxanthin?

Suppliers quote Astaxanthin on request because prices depend on grade, purity, quantity and destination. A free request on CompoundList gets you several quotes to compare.

Guides for buyers

Practical guides that help when you source, ship or handle Astaxanthin

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Data last updated 7 Oct 2026. Details may have changed, please confirm them with the supplier. Report an error on this page
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