Skip to content
Molekula

Molekula

Astaxanthin

SKU 38028884 CAS 472-61-7 C40H52O4 MW 596.84 Made to order Bulk quantities on request

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.

Expect a response within hours Speak to a chemist: +44 (0) 3302 000333

Example image for illustration only. Other packaging and pack sizes are available.

Pricing & pack sizes

Pack sizes & pricing

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.

  • 1 g — $633.80 per pack

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.

Quantity
Unit
Needed by
Full name
Email
Company
Phone (optional)
Notes

Expect a response within hours

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

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.

Talk to a chemist
Documents Pricing
Request a quote
Tell us the product and the quantity you need — including quantities larger than our listed packs. Expect a response within hours.
Full name
Company
Email
Phone (optional)
Product
Quantity needed

Ask for whatever you actually need — the pack sizes on our catalogue pages are a starting point, not a limit.

Message
View basket