Natural vs. synthetic astaxanthin: price difference of 3 times, effect difference of 10 times? Detailed explanation of the biosynthesis method of astaxanthin (red haired yeast)
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- Sep 29,2025
Summary
Astaxanthin is a high-value terpene antioxidant, with natural sources including algae, yeast, and marine organisms.
Phaffia rhodozyma has become an important production strain due to its fast growth and flexible metabolism, and its astaxanthin biosynthesis relies on the mevalonic acid (MVA) pathway.
At present, the production of astaxanthin by industrial strains can reach 1-5 g/L, which is expected to be further improved through mutagenesis breeding and genetic engineering.
1、 Structure and physiological functions of astaxanthin
Astaxanthin (3,3 '- dihydroxy-4,4' - diketone - β, β '- carotene) is the strongest natural antioxidant, with an antioxidant capacity 500 times that of vitamin E. It has functions such as anti-cancer, liver protection, and anti blue light damage.
The conjugated double bonds in its molecular structure endow it with high free radical scavenging ability and are widely used in health products, cosmetics, and aquaculture.
2、 Production advantages of red haired yeast
In terms of metabolic characteristics, facultative anaerobic fungi can utilize various carbon sources such as glucose and sucrose to synthesize astaxanthin through the MVA pathway (with a proportion of all trans isomers greater than 90%).
The industrialization potential is great, the fermentation cycle is short (48-72 hours), the biomass can reach 30g/L, and the astaxanthin production is 1-5g/L, significantly higher than that of Haematococcus pluvialis (0.1-0.4g/L).
3、 Optimization of culture medium and cost control were achieved
through nitrogen source substitution: soybean residue (with a protein content of 18%) was used instead of peptone, combined with a glucose sucrose mixed carbon source. The astaxanthin production reached 32.46mg/L, which is 2.23 times that of traditional YM culture medium.
When ammonium sulfate (2-5g/L) is combined with yeast extract, the selenium content increases to 1012.5 μ g/g at a C/N ratio of 2.7.
Adding trace elements: When the amount of biotin added is 2 μ g/L, astaxanthin production increases by 30%, but excessive (>6 μ g/L) will inhibit accumulation.
4、 Downstream processing technology
Wall breaking: High pressure homogenization (100-150MPa)+freeze-thaw method (-20 ℃ → 37 ℃, 2 times), wall breaking rate>90%.
Purification: Acetone ultrasonic extraction (50 ℃, 30min) combined with silica gel column chromatography (petroleum ether ethyl acetate=8:2), purity ≥ 90%.
Preparation: Microcapsule embedding (arabic gum maltodextrin), with a 3-fold increase in photostability.
