Do you know your Astaxanthin?
Is it Natural or Synthetic?
Astaxanthin exists as multiple 'stereoisomers' defined as having the same molecular formula and chemical bonds, yet differing slightly in arrangement in 3D space. Designated (3S,3'S), (3R,3'R), or (3R,3'S) also known as 'meso'.
Synthetic (AST) and yeast produce unesterified 'free' cis- and trans- astaxanthin. Most naturally produced astaxanthin is the ester of 'free' astaxanthin and one or two conjoined fatty acids (algae H.pluvialis).
The antioxidant astaxanthin (AST) is produced synthetically (petroleum) or as a natural product of select algae, yeast, bacterium, and marine invertebrates, shrimp and krill.
H.pluvialis algae produces what is considered the most bioactive and bioavailable configuration for humans, predominantly (3S,3'S), with yeast selectively producing the other chiral (3R,3R').
DID YOU KNOW?
Many distributors will advertise their salmon as “wild caught” because it's more expensive. However, that is not always the case. Our test can distinguish whether if the salmon is wild or farmed.
Ready to get started? Contact us to learn more about astaxanthin testing by Eurofins.
