Molekula
Cantaxanthin
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
Cantaxanthin is a natural carotenoid pigment used primarily as a feed additive for poultry and salmon farming to enhance coloration in flesh and eggs, as well as a food coloring in human nutrition. It is also used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals for its antioxidant properties. This bright red crystalline powder has a CAS number of 514-78-3, a molecular formula of C40H52O2, and a molecular weight of 564.84. It carries no signal word for hazard classification and must be stored at -15 to -20°C to maintain stability. Molekula supplies Cantaxanthin 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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100 g — £262.10 per pack ex VAT · £314.52 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 | Purple red flowing powder with white specs of starch |
| Loss on Drying | ≤ 8.0% |
| Assay | ≤ 10.0% |
| Heavy Metals (Pb) | ≤ 0.001% |
| Fungi & Yeast | ≤ 100cfu/g |
| Aerobic Bacterial Count | ≤ 1000cfu/g |
| Total Coliforms | ≤ 0.3 MPN/g |
| Identification (IR) | Conforms to structure |
| Arsenic (As) | ≤ 0.0003% |
Storage & handling
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Storage Temperature | -15 to -20 °C |
| Acidity | Neutral |
Literature values
Published physical properties of the substance, not batch specifications.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Boiling Point | 717 °C at 760 mmHg |
Source: PubChem CID 5281227 (Human Metabolome Database (HMDB))
Identification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| SKU | 35841996 |
| CAS Number | 514-78-3 |
| IUPAC Name | 2,4,4-trimethyl-3-[(1E,3E,5E,7E,9E,11E,13E,15E,17E)-3,7,12,16-tetramethyl-18-(2,6,6-trimethyl-3-oxocyclohexen-1-yl)octadeca-1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17-nonaenyl]cyclohex-2-en-1-one |
| EC Number | 208-187-2 |
| Molecular Formula | C40H52O2 |
| Molecular Weight | 564.84 |
| Exact Mass | 564.3967 |
| SMILES | CC1=C(C(CCC1=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)CCC2(C)C)C)\C)\C)/C)/C |
| InChIKey | FDSDTBUPSURDBL-DKLMTRRASA-N |
| InChI | InChI=1S/C40H52O2/c1-29(17-13-19-31(3)21-23-35-33(5)37(41)25-27-39(35,7)8)15-11-12-16-30(2)18-14-20-32(4)22-24-36-34(6)38(42)26-28-40(36,9)10/h11-24H,25-28H2,1-10H3/b12-11+,17-13+,18-14+,23-21+,24-22+,29-15+,30-16+,31-19+,32-20+ |
| PubChem CID | 5281227 |
| REACH Code | Y110 |
| HTS Code | 32129000 |
| Tariff Code | 32129000 |
Safety & GHS
Precautionary statements
- P280 Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection
Documents
Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
Available in English, Italian, 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
- 4,4'-Dioxo-beta-carotene
- Canthaxanthin
- Canthaxanthine
- Carophyll Red
- CI 40850
- Food orange 8
- INS NO.161G
- KANTAKISANTIN
- Orobronze
- Roxanthin Red 10
Frequently asked questions
What is cantaxanthin used for?
Cantaxanthin is primarily used as a natural red pigment in aquaculture (e.g., salmon feed) and as a food coloring (E161g) in human nutrition, particularly for coloring eggs and dairy products.
What is the chemical formula and molecular weight of cantaxanthin?
The chemical formula is **C₄₀H₅₂O₂**, and the molecular weight is **564.84 g/mol**.
How should cantaxanthin be stored?
Store cantaxanthin at **-15 to -20°C** to maintain stability and prevent degradation.
What grades or purities of cantaxanthin does Molekula supply?
Molekula supplies **pharmaceutical/food-grade cantaxanthin** with high purity (≥98% by HPLC).
Can Molekula supply cantaxanthin in bulk quantities?
Yes, Molekula can supply cantaxanthin in bulk, with quantities tailored to customer requirements (minimum order quantities may apply).
What documentation comes with a cantaxanthin order?
Each order includes a **Certificate of Analysis (CoA)**, **Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)**, and **batch-specific documentation** for traceability.
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.