Canthaxanthin

• β, β -carotene -4, 4' -dione
• C. I. 40850
• C. I. Food Orange 8

Reddish brown powder

Fixed

Insoluble in water

Template: Infobox chemical / molecular formula search available

Canthaxanthin (E 161g ) is a red dye from the group of xanthophylls ( carotenoids ), which is found in crab, flamingo feathers and chanterelles, and is now produced industrially. Canthaxanthin is one of the Hauptcarotinoide in the human diet and in human plasma.

Physiology

Canthaxanthin is in contrast to some other carotenoids in the body not converted into vitamin A and is made in the body from the eyes.

Use

He is, for example, fed to the color of salmon trout at this, but is often buried and poultry feed in order to give a more reddish skin and egg yolk color.

Tanning pills containing canthaxanthin as an active ingredient, were recalled by the pharmaceutical companies, since it was feared that, according to the Federal Health Office deposits in the retina. Meanwhile, long-term study showed that consumption of canthaxanthin does not cause long term functional impairment.