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A3236

Sigma-Aldrich

Astaxanthin

≥98% (HPLC)

Synonym(s):

(3S,3′S)-3,3′-Dihydroxy-β,β-carotene-4,4′-dione

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About This Item

Empirical Formula (Hill Notation):
C40H52O4
CAS Number:
Molecular Weight:
596.84
EC Number:
MDL number:
UNSPSC Code:
12352200
PubChem Substance ID:

biological source

synthetic

Assay

≥98% (HPLC)

form

powder

shipped in

wet ice

storage temp.

−20°C

SMILES string

CC1=C(/C=C/C(C)=C/C=C/C(C)=C/C=C/C=C(C)/C=C/C=C(C)/C=C/C2=C(C)C([C@@H](O)CC2(C)C)=O)C(C)(C)C[C@H](O)C1=O

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

InChI key

MQZIGYBFDRPAKN-UWFIBFSHSA-N

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Biochem/physiol Actions

Astaxanthin is a potent carotenoid antioxidant found in marine algae, red yeast and many other plant and animal sources. Animal studies indicate that it reduces blood glucose and ameliorates several parameters of the diabetic metabolic syndrome. It improves blood flow and vascular tone in models of hypertension. In vitro studies indicate that it upregulates connexin 43 and thus, may be chemopreventive against cancer.

Certificates of Analysis (COA)

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J S Park et al.
Journal of animal science, 91(1), 268-275 (2012-10-27)
Young (2.97±0.01 yr; 8.16±0.15 kg BW) and geriatric (10.71±0.01 yr; 9.46±0.18 kg BW) healthy female Beagle dogs (n=14/age group) were fed 0 or 20 mg astaxanthin daily for 16 wk to examine modulation of mitochondrial function. Fasted blood was sampled
Takehiro Kiko et al.
PloS one, 7(11), e49620-e49620 (2012-11-21)
Amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) is hypothesized to play a key role by oxidatively impairing the capacity of red blood cells (RBCs) to deliver oxygen to the brain. These processes are implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although plasma Aβ
Chao Yuan et al.
Carbohydrate polymers, 91(1), 385-389 (2012-10-10)
Storage stability of astaxanthin/hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPCD) inclusion complex was evaluated and which was compared with native astaxanthin. The storage stability of astaxanthin was enhanced after included in HPCD under 4 °C and 25 °C storage conditions. Antioxidant activity of astaxanthin/HPCD inclusion
Jian-Ping Yuan et al.
Molecular nutrition & food research, 55(1), 150-165 (2011-01-06)
The ketocarotenoid astaxanthin can be found in the microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis, Chlorella zofingiensis, and Chlorococcum sp., and the red yeast Phaffia rhodozyma. The microalga H. pluvialis has the highest capacity to accumulate astaxanthin up to 4-5% of cell dry weight.
Martin Guerin et al.
Trends in biotechnology, 21(5), 210-216 (2003-05-03)
The carotenoid pigment astaxanthin has important applications in the nutraceutical, cosmetics, food and feed industries. Haematococcus pluvialis is the richest source of natural astaxanthin and is now cultivated at industrial scale. Astaxanthin is a strong coloring agent and a potent

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