Comparing E161J - Astaxanthin vs E161 - Xanthophylls

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Overview

E161J - Astaxanthin

Astaxanthin (E161J) is a red-orange pigment from the carotenoid family. It appears naturally in microalgae and gives salmon, trout, shrimp, and krill their rosy color. In foods, it is mainly used for coloring via animal feed and in some regions as a supplement ingredient.

E161 - Xanthophylls

Xanthophylls (E161) are natural yellow to orange-red pigments from the carotenoid family. In food, they are used mainly as color additives, with examples including lutein, zeaxanthin, canthaxanthin, and astaxanthin. They can come from plants and algae, or be made by synthesis.

Synonyms

E161j

Astaxanthin

E161

Xanthophylls

Functions

colour

Origins

Products

Found in 26 products

Found in 0 products

Search rank & volume

#4765K / mo🇺🇸U.S.

#314530 / mo🇺🇸U.S.

Awareness score

×306.57

over-aware

Awareness data is not available.

Search volume over time

Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

Popular questions

What is astaxanthin good for?
As a food additive (E161j), it’s mainly used to give a pink–red color to seafood and aquaculture products (e.g., salmon, trout, shrimp) and to help protect fats from oxidation.
How much astaxanthin per day?
EFSA’s acceptable daily intake is 0.2 mg per kg body weight per day for consumer exposure; where supplements are allowed, typical doses are 4–8 mg/day, following local regulations and product directions.
What does astaxanthin do?
It functions as a carotenoid colorant that imparts pink–red hues and acts as an antioxidant, helping stabilize color and lipids in foods and aquaculture products.
Is astaxanthin safe?
Yes—within established limits it’s considered safe; in the EU it isn’t authorized as a general food color but is permitted in fish feed, and EFSA set an ADI of 0.2 mg/kg body weight/day to protect consumers.
Astaxanthin para que sirve?
Como aditivo alimentario (E161j), sirve para aportar color rojo‑rosado (p. ej., en salmón, trucha y camarón) y actuar como antioxidante, especialmente en productos de acuicultura.