Active Ingredients Derived from Microorganisms: Astaxanthin

Question 1

What is astaxanthin?

Answer 1

• red-orange pigment found in marine animals
• xanthophyll carotenoid
• more active than other carotenoids i.e. zeaxanthin, lutein, beta-carotene
• higher antioxidant activity

Question 2

Where is it found?

Answer 2

• synthesized in microalgae
• bioaccumulation in plankton, crustaceans, fish
• can be synthesized by plants, bacteria, and microalgae
• primarily found in Haematococcus pluvialis
• dietary intake via seafood i.e. wild sockeye salmon contains 26-28mg per kg of flesh

Question 3

How is astaxanthin anti-aging?

Answer 3

• Mechanisms of aging, both chronological and photoaging, include generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via oxidative stress and exposure to UV light
• Astaxanthin has potent antioxidant properties
• studies determined that astaxanthin has greater antioxidant capacity compared to other carotenoids
• inhibits ROS formation and prevents oxidative stress
• not only through direct radical scavenging, but also by stimulating pathways in the body to generate natural defense against free radical damage

Question 4

How does astaxanthin inhibit inflammation?

Answer 4

• Inflammaging is the process of low-grade chronic inflammation in the body, and is believed to be a risk factor for many age-related diseases and mortality risk in elderly
• Keratinocytes, the primary type of cell found in the epidermis (top layer of the skin), increase the amount of inflammation in the body as a response to UV exposure
• astaxanthin decreases UV-induced reactive oxygen species in the body and inhibits inflammatory proteins in keratinocytes

Question 5

What are the effects of astaxanthin on skin damage?

Answer 5

• Collagen and elastin proteins help to keep skin looking youthful and elastic
• As skin ages chronologically and from photodamage, changes in these proteins are observed in formation of wrinkles, loss of elasticity, dryness, and impaired wound healing
• Astaxanthin extract derived from algae Haematococcus pluvialis increased collagen content through inhibition of MMPs - enzymes that break down collagen
• effective compound for accelerating wound
• increase collagen in the wound, an essential protein required in closing up the wound
• Study showed combination of astaxanthin and collagen hydrolysate for 12 weeks improved elasticity and skin barrier strength
• Topical application combined with oral supplementation of astaxanthin for 12 weeks resulted in significant improvements in skin wrinkle, age spot size, elasticity, and skin texture

Question 6

Is astaxanthin safe?

Answer 6

• Astaxanthin from microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis has been approved for dietary supplementation in Europe, Japan and USA * FDA has approved Astaxanthin from H. Pluvialis for human consumption of up to 12mg per day