Canthaxanthin Supplier South Africa

What Is Canthaxanthin?

Canthaxanthin is a diketone xanthophyll carotenoid and a powerful pigmenting agent that imparts orange-red colouration to animal products. It is produced synthetically or by extraction from natural sources such as chanterelle mushrooms. Unlike beta-carotene, canthaxanthin is not a provitamin A precursor, but it is a potent antioxidant that protects cellular lipids from oxidative damage.

Pigmentation in Poultry and Aquaculture

In broiler production, canthaxanthin is combined with yellow xanthophylls such as lutein or zeaxanthin to achieve the red-orange skin colouration preferred by consumers in markets across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. In layer diets it intensifies the red component of yolk colour, used alongside beta-carotene to tailor yolk hue to market preference. In trout and shrimp aquafeed it works synergistically with astaxanthin to deepen flesh or shell colour.

Supply and Usage

Terracore Chemicals supplies 10% canthaxanthin beadlets for inclusion in poultry premixes and aquafeed. We advise on the optimal ratio of canthaxanthin to yellow carotenoids for specific colour target scores (Roche DSM Yolk Colour Fan or SalmoFan®) and on dosage ranges that comply with maximum permitted levels under South African and EU legislation.