Japan Ingredient Sourcing
Active component / 機能性成分Marine functional ingredients

Astaxanthin

アスタキサンチン (Asutakisanchin)

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Why source from Japan

Sourced from Nationwide production facilities with year-round Japanese supply, consistent quality, and traceability to the prefecture of origin.

Key spec

INCI Astaxanthin; FFC notification(s) on file; MOQ from 1–10 kg (oil-based concentrate).

Typical end-product

FFC-notified eye-health supplements — Soft-gel daily supplement with FFC-notified eye-fatigue support claims for the Japanese domestic market.

At a glance

Suppliers listed
6 suppliers
Typical MOQ
1–10 kg (oil-based concentrate)
Typical lead time
6–12 weeks
Regions of origin
Nationwide production facilities
Category
Marine functional ingredients
Harvest season
Year-round (microalgae culture)
Japan regulatory status
Functional Food claims; FFC notifications exist; JSCI listed for cosmetics
INCI name
Astaxanthin
Japanese name
アスタキサンチン
Romaji
Asutakisanchin

About this ingredient

Astaxanthin is a carotenoid pigment produced primarily by microalgae (Haematococcus pluvialis), known for strong antioxidant capacity. Japanese production pioneered by Fuji Chemical Industry and ENEOS uses closed-system microalgae cultivation. Multiple Japanese FFC notifications cite astaxanthin for eye health, skin health, and antioxidant support.

Regulatory status

JapanFunctional Food claims; FFC notifications exist; JSCI listed for cosmetics
EUNovel food evaluation for new uses; established food additive E161j for feed
United StatesGRAS for specific sources; dietary supplement pathway
ChinaBoth cosmetic and food categories — verify current rules

FAQ for OEM buyers

Q. Who are the major Japanese astaxanthin manufacturers, and what is their differentiation?

Two principal Japanese producers are commonly referenced: Fuji Chemical Industry (富士化学工業, AstaReal® brand) — pioneering closed-system Haematococcus pluvialis cultivation and one of the largest natural astaxanthin producers globally — and ENEOS (formerly JX Nippon Oil & Energy / J-OIL MILLS in some product lines), with the Panaferd® brand from Paracoccus carotinifaciens for animal feed pigmentation and human-supplement variants. AstaReal® is the most-cited branded source in Japanese FFC notifications.

Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26

Q. What MOQ and lead time should I expect for cosmetic / supplement-grade astaxanthin?

Industry-typical MOQ is 1–10 kg for oil-based concentrates (5–10% astaxanthin in oil) and 100 g–1 kg for spray-dried encapsulated powders (typically 1.5–3% astaxanthin), with 6–12 week lead times. Microalgae cultivation cycles and the careful downstream processing required to preserve oxidation-sensitive astaxanthin are the principal drivers of lead time. Branded materials (AstaReal®, Panaferd®) come with documentation packages supporting EU Novel Food, Japan FFC, and US GRAS positioning.

Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26

Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source

Q. What COA, certifications, and stability data should I request?

Standard COA: total astaxanthin (HPLC), free-form vs. esterified ratio, stereoisomer profile (3S,3'S preferred for natural Haematococcus), peroxide value, oxidation-stability data, microbiological limits, heavy metals (with attention to mercury for any marine sources), and source-organism documentation. Certifications: kosher, halal, non-GMO, organic (where applicable), allergen-free statement. Stability data are critical: request real-time and accelerated-condition studies in the proposed packaging configuration.

Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26

Q. How does the EU ADI affect product-development decisions?

EFSA's ADI of 0.034 mg/kg body weight/day (approximately 2 mg/day for a 60 kg adult) means that supplement products targeting EU markets typically need to dose at or below 2 mg/day per serving — significantly below the 4–12 mg/day common in Japanese and US products. Manufacturers building dual-region supplement lines often run two SKUs (EU-compliant lower-dose and Japan-FFC higher-dose) or design label warnings for vulnerable populations. Confirm with regulatory counsel for each market.

Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26

Use cases

  • FFC-notified eye-health supplements

    Positioning
    Soft-gel daily supplement with FFC-notified eye-fatigue support claims for the Japanese domestic market.
    Typical usage level
    FFC-notified products typically dose at 4–6 mg per daily serving for eye-fatigue claims; verify the exact level claimed in the relevant Consumer Affairs Agency notification.

    Sources

  • Skin-moisture / inner-beauty supplements

    Positioning
    FFC-notified inner-beauty soft-gel supplements with skin-moisture support claim, often paired with collagen peptides or hyaluronic acid.
    Typical usage level
    Japanese FFC products in this category typically dose around 4–6 mg astaxanthin per daily serving — verify per-notification.

    Sources

  • Antioxidant cosmetic serums and eye creams

    Positioning
    Premium antioxidant skincare with visible red color as a natural-ingredient signal; positioning around free-radical defense and anti-aging.
    Typical usage level
    0.01–0.1% astaxanthin in finished cosmetic formulation.
    Formulation notes
    Pair with vitamin E and use opaque, oxygen-barrier packaging; expected formulation stability window is approximately 12–24 months when properly formulated.

    Sources

  • Functional beverages and shots

    Positioning
    Single-serve functional beverage shots (50–100 mL) targeting the active-lifestyle and beauty consumer.
    Typical usage level
    Encapsulated astaxanthin at 2–6 mg per serving; oxidation protection is critical for shelf life.
    Formulation notes
    Use water-dispersible encapsulated powder (cyclodextrin or starch encapsulation) for clear-beverage applications; verify EU ADI compliance for products sold into EU.

    Sources

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Last updated: 2026-04-24

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