Description
A cold-water-dispersible beadlet formulation of synthetic astaxanthin, encapsulated in a starch and gelatin matrix with antioxidant stabilization. The standard format for dry-mixed extruded salmonid feed, where the lipid-based Oil form is inconvenient for direct addition to dry mash and a free-flowing powder is required.
Free-flowing dark red to brown beadlets, typically 200 to 500 micrometres in diameter. The matrix encapsulation protects astaxanthin from oxidative loss during extrusion at typical salmonid feed temperatures of 90 to 130 degrees C, with retention of 70 to 85 percent of input pigment through the line measured to finished cooled feed.
We supply feed-grade Astaxanthin CWS from manufacturers in China holding ISO, FAMI-QS, Halal, Kosher and other certifications relevant to the product and production.
Common market grades include 10 percent CWS for standard salmonid and trout feed (the dominant commercial grade), 5 percent CWS for trout and shrimp feed where lower active loading suits volumetric dosing, and 1 to 2 percent CWS for ornamental and koi flake feed.
Bulk and reduced-MOQ shipments. Batch-level COA covering astaxanthin content by HPLC, all-trans isomer ratio, particle size, peroxide value, and microbiology.
Introduction
Cold-water-dispersible (CWS) beadlets were developed in the 1980s by the original astaxanthin commercial producers (Hoffmann-La Roche, then DSM) to address the practical problem of incorporating an oil-soluble crystalline pigment into dry-mixed extruded salmon feed. The technology spray-dries an emulsion of astaxanthin in oil within a carbohydrate-protein matrix, yielding a free-flowing beadlet that disperses on contact with the moist mash before extrusion.
The encapsulation serves three functions: free-flowing handling (the alternative oil format gums up dry premix equipment), oxidative protection during processing and storage (the matrix excludes atmospheric oxygen), and controlled release in the digestive tract of the fish (the matrix dissolves on contact with bile, releasing astaxanthin into the lipid micelle phase for absorption).
Active load is balanced against matrix performance: 10 percent CWS is the standard commercial grade because higher loading compromises encapsulation integrity and lower loading dilutes the active too much for cost-effective dosing.
Inclusion rates in commercial salmon feed are 30 to 80 grams of active astaxanthin per tonne, equivalent to 300 to 800 grams of 10 percent CWS per tonne of feed. Regulatory status is identical to the oil form: authorized as a feed colorant in the EU under specific authorization and approved in all major salmon-producing markets.
Where it is used
- Extruded Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout grow-out feed; the dominant format for dry premix dosing
- Shrimp grow-out feed in dry-extruded formats
- Koi and ornamental carp pellet and flake feed
- Red sea bream and red snapper feed
- Premium tropical fish feed for color enhancement
- Lobster and crab grow-out feed
- Layer hen feed for premium natural-color egg yolk products
- Specialty pet bird feed for color enhancement in flamingos, ibises, and ornamental species
Technical data
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Dark red to brown free-flowing beadlets |
| Astaxanthin content (HPLC) | 10.0% w/w (minimum 9.5%) |
| Matrix | Starch, gelatin, sucrose, with antioxidant stabilization |
| All-trans isomer ratio | ≥ 90.0% |
| Particle size | 200 to 500 µm typical |
| Loss on drying | ≤ 6.0% |
| Peroxide value | ≤ 10 meq/kg |
| Heavy metals (as Pb) | ≤ 10 mg/kg |
| Total plate count | ≤ 1,000 cfu/g |
| E. coli and Salmonella | Negative |
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