PHOTO: ASTAREAL


wellbeing and general health, thus supporting productivity in agriculture. For example, in dairy cows, it can reduce the incidence of mastitis – an udder inflammation that can dra- matically lower milk output. And feeding trials with hens have shown that astaxanthin improves egg production, the percentage of hatching chicks and the overall health of the hens. Moreover, the nutrient encourages improved fertility, stronger immune defence, better growth during suckling and the structural integrity of the digestive system in poultry. In the wild, animals have to obtain astaxanthin from their diet as they cannot produce carotenoids themselves: Its consump- tion is what gives salmon, shrimp, lobsters and even flamingos their distinctive pink colour.


Market drivers for supplements Safeguarding wellbeing via feed supplements such as astax- anthin is vital, since stress, transport and changes of environ- ment can increase the risk of infection and mortality. Accord- ing to forecasts, the global feed supplements market will grow at a CAGR of 6.2% through to 2027. The European mar- ket is one of the largest, thanks to increased awareness of ani- mal health and meat quality, and the shifting trend in meat consumption towards poultry and pork, which require high degrees of feed additive input. These numbers coupled with


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our planet’s finite natural resources and its growing popula- tion highlight just how much the world needs sustainable food and feed systems – both to reduce our environmental footprint and to ensure safe and healthy nutrition for all. Mi- croalgae-derived astaxanthin could make a valuable contri- bution to that target, as it is a sustainable and naturally sourced feed ingredient with excellent eco-credentials.


With its antiox- idant activity, astaxanthin provides scien- tifically proven benefits for animal wellbe- ing and general health, thus supporting productivity in agriculture.


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