News

Algatech announces new astaxanthin powder

2 May 2019

Inspired, the company says, by the superb vision and natural mechanism of the eagle’s eye, Algatech has announced AstaPure-EyeQ, a clinically supported, microencapsulated, cold water-soluble 2% natural astaxanthin powder.

In nature, Algatech says, astaxanthin complexed with other carotenoids is found in the eyes of birds, such as eagles, that depend on their superb vision for survival.

The astaxanthin protects its eye from oxidative stress and radiation. AstaPure-EyeQ ,a proprietary microencapsulation form of natural astaxanthin, was developed in conjunction with the fast-growing Italian startup Sphera Encapsulation. The astaxanthin is encapsulated with a unique formula of completely biodegradable and natural materials, enabling higher bioavailability in the eyes and brain.

A clinical study conducted in 2018 by Algatech and principal investigator Rafael Bitzur, former Secretary of the Israeli Society for the Treatment and Prevention of Atherosclerosis at the Lipids Clinic, Sheba Medical Center, Israel, is said to demonstrate that AstaPure-EyeQ delivers a two-fold increase in bioavailability over standard astaxanthin supplements in the plasma of healthy volunteers.

Another, preclinical study conducted by principal investigator Tatsuya Sugawara of the Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University in Japan, is said to show that AstaPure-EyeQ reaches the plasma and crosses both the blood-brain and the blood-retina-barriers, hence more readily reaches the brain and eyes. Moreover, astaxanthin was shown in numerous clinical and pre-clinical studies to support eye health, including improvement in choroidal blood flow, depth perception, and visual acuity.

“Astapure-EyeQ has double bioavailability compared to the standard product on the market, and is formulated especially for vision and brain health applications,” said Efrat Kat, Algatech’s VP Global Sales. “Our powder is fully soluble and has a neutral flavor and aroma.”

AstaPure EyeQ is described as a highly pure extract derived from Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae. This species of microalgae is known to be the richest source of natural astaxanthin. As a microencapsulated, cold water-soluble, 2% natural astaxanthin powder, it can be readily incorporated into supplements such as softgels, sachets, gummies and chewables, and other functional foods and beverages.