© 2026 Nanjing Finechem Holdings Co., Ltd,
All Right Reserved
Name: Astaxanthin
Common Uses: Found in supplements, aquaculture feed, cosmetics, and sometimes in food coloring.
Source: Produced by certain microalgae, extracted for commercial use, and available both as a synthetic and natural product.
Appearance: Reddish powder or crystalline solid, sometimes found as a suspension or oil.
Odor: Slightly earthy or marine, not particularly strong.
Main Hazards: Inhalation of fine powder can irritate the respiratory system, especially for those with pre-existing sensitivities. Eyes may sting if dust gets into them. Contact with skin rarely leads to irritation but repeated exposure over long periods isn’t recommended.
Chronic Effects: Some people report allergic reactions with continuous handling without protection. No evidence shows carcinogenic or reproductive toxicity at doses typically handled by consumers or workers, but dust control remains wise.
Signal Word: Non-toxic in most cases, but avoid unnecessary contact or inhalation, especially in industrial settings.
Pictograms or Labels: Not usually needed for low-volume consumer applications, but required in manufacturing or laboratory environments.
Chemical Name: Astaxanthin
CAS Number: 472-61-7
Purity: Varies, usually above 95% in supplement grade extracts.
Other Ingredients: Natural extracts might include residual oils or solvents based on the extraction process. Some formulations add stabilizing agents, antioxidants, or carriers like oil blends in softgels.
Eye Contact: Rinse gently with lukewarm water, hold eyelid open. Seek medical advice if redness persists.
Inhalation: Move to fresh air and relax. Persistent coughing or trouble breathing signals the need for a checkup.
Skin Contact: Wash with mild soap and water. Rarely causes a rash, but don’t ignore ongoing discomfort.
Ingestion: A slapdash mouthful isn’t likely to harm a healthy adult, although very large doses aren’t recommended outside clinical trials. Always see a doctor if a child or someone with pre-existing health conditions swallows unusual amounts by accident.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Carbon dioxide, dry powder, or foam extinguishers work best.
Fire Hazards: In powder form, airborne dust can fuel explosions in large industrial quantities. Regular handling for personal use doesn’t reach these levels, yet keeping it away from open flames or high-heat surfaces remains a good practice.
Protective Equipment: Full protective gear including breathing masks in case of a big warehouse fire. Most consumers never encounter this issue, but safety managers at production sites must plan for it.
Hazardous Combustion Products: Smoke can include carbon monoxide and other combusted particles.
Personal Precautions: For spills at home or work, dust masks cut down on inhalation risk. Gloves keep hands from unnecessary mess.
Cleanup Methods: Sweeping or vacuuming with HEPA filters works best for dry spills. Large spills in factories call for containment and quick cleanup to minimize airborne dust.
Environmental Precautions: Avoid washing significant quantities down drains or into soil. Astaxanthin isn’t dangerous to the environment in small doses but bulk amounts aren’t meant for natural water systems.
Disposal: Seal collected material in containers for waste disposal as per local regulations.
Safe Handling: Handle powder gently to reduce dust. Keep containers closed when not in use. Gloves and goggles give peace of mind for folks working hours on end with this compound.
Storage Requirements: Store in cool, dry places away from direct sunlight. Moisture or excess heat can break down the pigment over time. Use airtight packaging.
Incompatibilities: Keep away from strong oxidizers, acids, and bases.
Engineering Controls: Ventilated areas keep dust to a minimum during commercial manufacturing or bulk handling.
Personal Protective Equipment: Gloves, safety glasses, and dust masks cover most of the risk in all reasonable settings. Occupational settings may call for more rigorous respiratory protection.
Hygiene: Wash hands before meals or after handling even if only a small exposure occurs.
Appearance: Deep red to reddish-brown powder or small crystals.
Solubility: Not soluble in water; better in organic solvents (e.g., ethanol, acetone) or oils.
Odor: Faintly earthy or marine.
Melting Point: Ranges from 215°C to 216°C (pure form).
Other Properties: Sensitive to light, oxygen, and heat. Long-term exposure to the elements leads to fading and breakdown.
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal storage and use. Breakdown speeds up with heat, light, and prolonged air exposure.
Reactivity: Not highly reactive unless mixed with strong oxidizers or subjected to extreme conditions.
Decomposition Products: Heat or fire can create carbon oxides or other organic compounds unfit for inhalation.
Acute Toxicity: Low toxicity by oral or dermal exposure based on animal studies and available human data.
Skin and Eye Effects: Dry or powdery skin contact may rarely cause mild irritation; same goes for eye exposure, which should always be flushed out.
Chronic Exposure: No evidence of cancer, genetic mutation, or reproductive harm at consumer-use levels.
Sensitization: Low risk, though anyone with allergies should pay attention to symptoms.
Aquatic Impact: Low toxicity for marine and freshwater systems. Not expected to bioaccumulate in food chains.
Biodegradability: Breaks down naturally over time. Doesn’t persist in the environment.
Environmental Cautions: Avoid releasing large amounts into water sources out of an abundance of caution, mainly to prevent unwanted discoloration of the area.
Waste Methods: Collect in sealed containers and dispose of like nontoxic laboratory or food waste. For large industries, certified waste handlers should handle disposal.
Recycling: Reuse isn’t generally practical for consumer quantities.
Community Safety: Never dump bulk material into drains, gardens, or communal trash if better options exist in your locality.
Transport Risk: Stable and safe for shipping if sealed and protected from direct sunlight, heat, and moisture.
Classification: Not regulated as a hazardous material for road, rail, sea, or air transport in most cases.
Special Conditions: Prevent container breakage and keep powder from leaking or forming clouds.
Labeling: Mark packaging as pigment, keep handling instructions visible if moving in larger bulks.
Workplace Regulation: Many regions recognize astaxanthin as a food-grade pigment or feed additive, with established manufacturing and exposure guidelines.
Supplement and Cosmetic Use: Regulatory bodies like the FDA and EFSA have set maximum doses for supplements and food additives. Labels must show content and purity.
Occupational Limits: No specific limits for casual exposure, but dust control and personal protective equipment standards from labor agencies usually apply to keep workplaces safe.
