Microalgae create astaxanthin to protect themselves from stressful environmental conditions. During the summer, when ponds begin to dry, astaxanthin enables microalgae to preserve their DNA undamaged, ready to grow again when the next rain comes, even if that takes many years. This remarkable ability demonstrates astaxanthin’s function as a superb antioxidant. In fact, studies have shown natural astaxanthin derived from microalgae to be over 500 times stronger than vitamin E and much more potent than other carotenoids. It is known that astaxanthin, which is a rich, dark red pigment, not only gives shrimp, krill and salmon their distinctive colors but also helps salmon with the endurance they need to swim upstream for up to 2,000 miles, in addition to powering birds’ incredible eye sight.
Mimicking Nature
Algatech, a leading astaxanthin manufacturer, developed a proprietary ~3 months cultivation process that mimics astaxanthin accumulation in nature. The cultivation begins with a “Green Stage" which ensures that the algae will enjoy optimum growing conditions, allowing maximum biomass growth over time. later on, the algae is transferred to an advanced all-glass photobioreactor apparatus, in which the algae growth is accelerated under the sun of the Arava desert. Once fully developed, the “Red Stage” begins: The algae is exposed to harsh conditions, which in turn, creates stress which causes the algae to form a hard shell and produce astaxanthin.
This state-of-the-art photobioreactors technology and proprietary cultivation process leverages the Arava desert’s stable, abundant solar radiation. Together with the clarity of our remote location,these are ensuring the highest purity of astaxanthin, with more than 95% of total carotenoids