Astaxanthin in Fish Feeds
Astaxanthin is a carotenoid pigment that occurs in the natural diets of many aquatic species, including salmon, trout, shrimp, red sea bream, ornamental fish and many crustaceans. This compound is what makes salmon pink. In nature, like other pigments, astaxanthin is synthesized only by microalgae and then passed up the food chain. Salmon and other marine animals cannot make the compound themselves and must get it in their food.

Traditionally astaxanthin has been added to commercial aquaculture diets for salmon, trout, red seabream or shrimp, to improve the pigmentation of the flesh or the skin. This use remains by far the largest market in terms of volume and market value. However a number of studies have shown that astaxanthin was much more than a pigment and in fact had vitamin-like properties.

As a result, astaxanthin is now also used to enhance the immune response of fish and shrimp and to secure maximum survival and growth. Recent studies with young shrimp and in other fish species have shown the superior bioefficacy of natural microalgal astaxanthin versus the synthetic form. Another reason for aquaculturists to prefer natural astaxanthin is the growing demand from consumers for fish fed natural pigments, identical to those the fish receive in their natural diet.

Astaxanthin in Livestock Feeds
Astaxanthin has similar effects on poultry to its effects on fishes and crustaceans: it increases fertility of layer hens, reduces mortality of chicks by 50%, and reduces vibrio infections in eggs.

The addition of astaxanthin to poultry feed results in eggs with a markedly deeper color in the yolk, a characteristic preferred by European consumers. But, the improvement of the nutritional value of eggs is the strongest incentive to include astaxanthin in poultry feed. Indeed, studies have shown European consumers understand the positive health benefits of natural astaxanthin in eggs.

Initial studies in other livestock, notably pork, have demonstrated significant increases in fertility.

The Feed Market Now
The largest market for astaxanthin is in aquaculture. Annual sales of synthetic astaxanthin are estimated at more than $185 million - for salmon and trout aquaculture alone. The livestock feed market for astaxanthin, while presently very small, could grow to a comparable size. The market for natural astaxanthin is, we believe, limited mostly by a global shortage of production capacity. There are important chemical differences between synthetic and natural astaxanthin. We believe these differences favor the astaxanthin that salmon and trout acquire in nature.

The Future of the Fishfeed Market

Demand for astaxanthin is likely to parallel the demand for fish feeds in particular, and aquaculture in general. Aquaculture now accounts for more than 24% of total global fisheries production, is currently valued at $35 billion per annum, and is expected to grow to $49 billion by 2010.

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