Molekula
Astaxanthin
Supplying 4,500+ customers in over 80 countries
ISO 9001:2015 & ISO 14001:2015 certified · Supplying laboratories and industry since 2000 · Listed pack sizes are a starting point — we manufacture, source and repack to the quantity you need
Astaxanthin is a potent red-orange carotenoid antioxidant found naturally in algae, yeast, salmon, and crustaceans, widely used in aquaculture for pigmentation, human supplements for joint and skin health, and as an additive in cosmetics and animal feed. It is a high-value compound with strong radical-scavenging properties and anti-inflammatory benefits. This chemical has a CAS number of 472-61-7, with the molecular formula C40H52O4 and a molecular weight of 596.84. It requires storage at -15 to -20°C for stability and carries no signal word for hazard classification. Molekula supplies Astaxanthin from research to bulk quantities with full documentation and ISO 9001:2015 traceability.
Example image for illustration only. Other packaging and pack sizes are available.
Pricing & pack sizes
These pack sizes aren't a limit. Molekula manufactures, sources and repacks to order — if you need 500 kg and only see 1 kg listed, . We quote from grams to multi-tonne.
Need a different size? Add the nearest pack and change the size in your basket — we price it at the same rate per unit.
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1 g — £333.60 per pack ex VAT · £400.32 inc. VAT
Need a different quantity or pack?
Tell us how much you need and when — drums, IBCs, sacks or a one-off bulk lot. We'll manufacture or source it and come back with a price.
Prices exclude VAT/sales tax and shipping.
Specifications
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Dark violet red powder |
| Melting Point | 215℃ - 218℃ |
| Heavy metals | ≤10 ppm |
| Total plate count | ≤1000 cfu/g |
| Salmonella | Negative |
| Loss on Drying | ≤0.5% |
| Solubility | Insoluble in water, soluble in many of organic solvents |
| Assay (HPLC) | ≥96.0% |
| Staphylococcus aureus | Negative |
| Cadmium (Cd) | ≤1ppm |
| Lead (Pb) | ≤3ppm |
| Mercury (Hg) | ≤1ppm |
| Arsenic (As) | ≤1ppm |
| E. Coli | ≤30cfu/g |
| Mould & Yeast | ≤100 cfu/g |
Storage & handling
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Storage Temperature | -15 to -20 °C |
| Acidity | Acid |
Literature values
Published physical properties of the substance, not batch specifications.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Melting Point | 182-183 °C |
Source: PubChem CID 5281224 (HSDB)
Identification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| SKU | 38028884 |
| CAS Number | 472-61-7 |
| IUPAC Name | (6S)-6-hydroxy-3-[(1E,3E,5E,7E,9E,11E,13E,15E,17E)-18-[(4S)-4-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-3-oxocyclohexen-1-yl]-3,7,12,16-tetramethyloctadeca-1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17-nonaenyl]-2,4,4-trimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-one |
| EC Number | 207-451-4 |
| Molecular Formula | C40H52O4 |
| Molecular Weight | 596.84 |
| Exact Mass | 596.3866 |
| SMILES | CC1=C(C(C[C@@H](C1=O)O)(C)C)/C=C/C(=C/C=C/C(=C/C=C/C=C(/C=C/C=C(/C=C/C2=C(C(=O)[C@H](CC2(C)C)O)C)\C)\C)/C)/C |
| InChIKey | MQZIGYBFDRPAKN-UWFIBFSHSA-N |
| InChI | 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 |
| PubChem CID | 5281224 |
| REACH Code | Y113 |
| HTS Code | 32129000 |
| Tariff Code | 3212900000 |
Safety & GHS
Precautionary statements
- P264 Wash thoroughly after handling
- P280 Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection
- P308+313 IF exposed or concerned: Get medical advice/attention
Documents
Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
Available in English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish.
Certificate of Analysis (CoA) by batch
Enter a lot or batch number to retrieve the CoA for that specific batch. We can generate one from spec data if no PDF is on file.
Synonyms
- (3S,3'S)-3,3'-Dihydroxy-beta,beta-carotene-4,4'-dione
- (3S,3'S)-Astaxanthin
- 3,3'-Dihydroxy-beta-carotene-4,4'-dione
- all-trans-Astaxanthin
- AstaREAL
- Astaxanthine
- beta,beta-Carotene-4,4'-dione, 3,3'-dihydroxy-, (3S,3'S)-
- BioAstin
- Carophyll Pink
- Ovoester
Frequently asked questions
What is astaxanthin used for?
Astaxanthin is primarily used as a natural pink pigment in aquaculture (e.g., salmon, trout, shrimp), as a dietary supplement for its antioxidant properties, and in cosmetics for skin protection.
What is the chemical formula and molecular weight of astaxanthin?
The chemical formula is **C₄₀H₅₂O₄**, and the molecular weight is **596.84 g/mol**.
How should astaxanthin be stored?
Store astaxanthin at **-15 to -20°C** to maintain stability and prevent degradation.
What grades of astaxanthin does Molekula supply?
Molekula supplies **food-grade and pharmaceutical-grade astaxanthin**, depending on the application requirements.
Can Molekula supply astaxanthin in bulk quantities?
Yes, Molekula can provide astaxanthin in bulk, with packaging options tailored to meet large-scale production needs.
What documentation comes with an astaxanthin order?
Each order includes a **Certificate of Analysis (CoA)**, Safety Data Sheet (SDS), and a **Certificate of Authenticity** to verify purity and compliance.
Ready to order or need a custom pack?
Tell us the product, grade, and quantity — Molekula usually responds within one working day with pricing and lead time.