ABSTRACT
Astaxanthin (AX) is a ketocarotenoid, a red pigment that belongs to the family of the xanthophylls, an oxygenated derivative of carotenoids. AX is closely related to other carotenoids, such as β-caroteno, zeaxanthin, and lutein. Astaxanthin cannot be synthesized by animals and must be acquired from the diet, but it is synthesized by plants, bacteria, a few fungi, algae, and microalgae (Yuan et al., 2011). Therefore, through the food chain, AX can be found in birds such as ™amingoes and quail, but is mainly found in aquatic animals such as salmonids, shrimp, lobsters, and cray’sh, contributing to the pinkish red color of the ™esh.
