Canthaxanthin

Canthaxanthin (CAS 514-78-3), also sold as Carophyll Red and Orobronze and designated E161g in the EU, is a red-orange ketocarotenoid pigment used to deliver and stabilize color in food and feed.

Where is Canthaxanthin used?

• Aquaculture and poultry feed: consistent flesh and egg yolk pigmentation
• Salmon and trout production: primary pigmentation agent meeting market color specifications
• Food manufacturing: certain cheeses, sausage casings and decorative confectionery coatings
• Dietary supplements: carotenoid intake and antioxidant activity
• It functions as both a colorant and an antioxidant.
• Direct coloring of tomato products, fruit drinks, sausage products, baked goods and pharmaceuticals.
• Applicable to crushed feed, pelleted or ball-shaped feed, and extruded feed.

Formulation notes

• For salmon and trout, the maximum authorized addition is 25 mg/kg of complete feed.
• For laying hens, the maximum authorized addition is 8 mg/kg of complete feed.
• Interferes with the absorption of the yellow carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin.

Typical specification

• Particles offered with 10% content.
• Produced by microencapsulation technology and has good storage and processing stability.
• Occurs as a dark, crystalline powder.
• Has good particle distribution and dispersion, facilitating mixing during premixing.

Technical content is compiled and updated by the SoleChem product team from public technical sources; the certificate of analysis (COA) governs product-specific specifications.