Extraction and Separation of Astaxanthin from Marine Products

Abstract

Astaxanthin is a carotenoid used widely in salmonid and crustacean aquaculture to provide the pink color characteristics of that species. The ketocarotenoid astaxanthin can be found in microalgae, yeast and crustacean byproducts. Astaxanthin represents the unique properties of the structure. The astaxanthin molecule has two geometric isomers, cis or trans due to the double bond from the poliene chain. The separation of these isomers is very difficult using ordinary techniques. This paper reviews the current available evidence regarding astaxanthin chemistry and its potential beneficial effects in humans as well as the methods of the extraction and separation of astaxanthin.

Modifications of Atlantic salmon by-product oil for obtaining different ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids concentrates: An approach to comparative analysis

“…Astaxanthin forms astaxanthin esters in fish oil which were hydrolyzed and liberated from the fatty acids during free fatty acid formation for urea complexation. Astaxanthin is highly soluble in organic solvents like acetone, ethanol, hexane and acetic acid but not in water [ 45 ]. During collection of ω-3 PUFFAs concentrate with hexanic fraction, astaxanthin was solubilized and aggregated.…”

Red Seaweed Pigments from a Biotechnological Perspective

“…Astaxanthin extraction techniques have improved due to its biotechnological potential, particularly from the microalgae species Haematococcus lacustris [214,215]. Many reported extraction methods were identified, including solvent extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, and oil extraction [214,216].…”

“…As a result, many studies have been conducted to separate astaxanthin isomers such 13-cis astaxanthin, 15-cis astaxanthin, and trans-astaxanthin. Astaxanthin is often quantified through spectrophotometry or chromatography [215]. Thus, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is the method of choice for analyzing carotenoids; for instance, one of the most powerful technologies for enantiomeric separation is HPLC using chiral stationary phases [217].…”