Astaxanthin processing line

Astaxanthin is a ketone carotenoid, a red solid powder, fat soluble, insoluble in water, but soluble in organic solvents.It is widely found in the biological world, especially in the feathers of aquatic animals such as shrimp, crab, fish and birds, and plays a role in rendering color. Extraction:The powdered Astaxanthin material is mixed with a suitable solvent, such as water, ethanol, or a combination of both. The extraction process can be carried out through various methods, including maceration, percolation, or hot water extraction. The solvent helps to dissolve and extract the bioactive compounds from the Astaxanthin material. Filtration:After the extraction process, the liquid extract undergoes filtration to remove any remaining plant material and impurities, leaving a more concentrated solution of steviol glycosides. Purification:The concentrated extract may still contain other compounds alongside the steviol glycosides, so further purification is necessary. Various purification techniques, such as chromatography, ion exchange, or precipitation, are used to separate and isolate the steviol glycosides. Concentration: The purified steviol glycosides are then concentrated to increase their sweetness. This step reduces the volume of the final product, making it more efficient for storage and transportation. Drying and crystallization: The concentrated extract is dried, and the steviol glycosides are crystallized to obtain a pure form of stevia sweetener. This powder or liquid is the final stevia extract ready for use as a natural sweetener in various food and beverage products.