Fucoxanthin 10%

Fucoxanthin is a marine xanthophyll carotenoid occurring naturally in brown macroalgae and selected microalgae and diatoms. Commercial standardized ingredients concentrate this carotenoid into powder or lipid-compatible formats for use in dietary supplement, functional nutrition, and formulation projects where a defined marker level is required.

The 10% HPLC powder represents a concentrated standardized format in which fucoxanthin content is quantified chromatographically. For procurement and formulation, the assay percentage, analytical method, source material, and delivery matrix together define the commercial ingredient more accurately than generic terms such as seaweed extract or brown algae powder.

SKU: BOT-PHY-0351 Categories: Phytochemicals, Carotenoids & Xanthophylls Tags: Antioxidant Support, Carotenoids, Dietary Supplements, Fucoxanthin, Terpenoids

Ingredient Profile & Common Uses

Fucoxanthin differs from general seaweed powders and broad-spectrum algae extracts because its commercial identity is defined by a specific xanthophyll marker. Natural sources include brown macroalgae such as Undaria pinnatifida and Laminaria species, as well as selected fucoxanthin-producing microalgae and diatoms. A standardized ingredient is therefore characterized by source, marker concentration, analytical method, and product form rather than by algae origin alone.

Commercial grades are differentiated primarily by assay, test method, source, and delivery format. A 10% HPLC powder provides substantially greater marker concentration than unstandardized algae material while remaining different from highly purified fucoxanthin isolates. Oil preparations and higher-assay powders also exist commercially, but their formulation behavior can differ because carrier systems, lipid matrices, and processing influence the physical characteristics of the finished ingredient.

The standardized ingredient is used in concentrated dietary supplements, marine carotenoid products, functional nutrition systems, and selected food formulations. Its lipophilic character makes delivery format an important development consideration, particularly when formulators move between dry powders, lipid-based systems, and aqueous products.

Application Areas

Capsules & Tablets

The powder can be incorporated into concentrated dry supplement blends. Premixing with compatible excipients can support distribution when the inclusion level is low before capsule filling or tablet compression.

Softgels & Lipid-Based Systems

Lipid-containing delivery formats are technically relevant because of the carotenoid’s lipophilic character. Formulators should evaluate oil-phase compatibility, dispersion uniformity, and finished-product stability during development.

Functional Food Formulations

Standardized material can be evaluated for functional-food products requiring a defined marine carotenoid ingredient. Processing conditions, color contribution, and interaction with the surrounding food matrix should be considered during scale-up.

Beverage & Emulsion Systems

Direct aqueous dissolution is limited. Beverage and liquid applications generally require an appropriate emulsion, encapsulation, or dispersion system to achieve useful physical distribution and stability.

Typical Specifications

Parameter	Specification / Property
Product Name	Fucoxanthin 10% HPLC Powder
Ingredient Type	Standardized marine carotenoid ingredient
Marker Compound	Fucoxanthin
Primary Specification	≥10%
Analytical Method	HPLC
Product Form	Powder
Chemical Class	Xanthophyll carotenoid
CAS Number	3351-86-8
PubChem CID	5281239
Molecular Formula	C42H58O6
Molecular Weight	658.9 g/mol
Source Category	Marine algae
Intrinsic Water Behavior	Poorly soluble in water
Key Stability Factors	Light · Oxygen · Heat · pH · Formulation matrix

Fucoxanthin Structure & Analytical Profile

The marker has an unusual carotenoid structure containing an allenic bond, a 5,6-epoxide group, an acetyl group, and an extended conjugated polyene system. These structural features distinguish it from many more familiar carotenoids and contribute to both its characteristic pigment behavior and its sensitivity during processing and storage.

Naturally occurring material is predominantly associated with the all-trans form, while heat, light, oxygen, and other processing conditions can promote isomerization and degradation. Changes in isomer distribution may therefore become relevant when evaluating highly processed or poorly protected material.

HPLC separates the target carotenoid from other pigments and related extract constituents, providing more specific quantitative characterization of a standardized ingredient than color assessment or nonspecific algae-extract terminology alone.

Technical & Quality Considerations

Analytical evaluation should prioritize marker identity, quantitative assay, chromatographic profile, and source authentication. For marine-algae-derived material, quality assessment may also require source-specific controls such as iodine and differentiation between inorganic and total arsenic, in addition to the conventional contaminant testing applied to botanical and marine ingredients.

The carotenoid itself is lipophilic and has poor intrinsic aqueous solubility. Commercial dispersibility can differ substantially when carriers, emulsifiers, or other delivery systems are incorporated. Its conjugated structure is also susceptible to light exposure, oxidation, elevated temperature, and unfavorable pH conditions, which can promote structural change or degradation. These properties make formulation matrix and protective packaging technically important.

During scale-up, dry systems should be evaluated for blend uniformity, particularly at low inclusion levels. Lipid-based products require assessment of oil-phase dispersion and physical stability, while aqueous systems generally need a designed emulsion, encapsulation, or dispersion approach rather than direct addition of the raw powder. Production-scale mixing and finished-product behavior should be evaluated under the actual processing conditions used.

Packaging & Commercial Supply

Essencefield supports product evaluation, formulation trials, commercial orders, and ongoing ingredient supply. Packaging, storage, and shipping arrangements are determined by product characteristics, order quantity, stability requirements, and destination-market needs.

Supply Item	General Information
Sample	Available upon request for formulation, testing, and supplier evaluation
Order Quantities	100 g · 1 kg · 5 kg · 25 kg · 100 kg · 500 kg · Bulk
Sample Lead Time	Typically 5–7 days after sample confirmation
Production Lead Time	Typically 15–30 days after order and specification confirmation
Packaging	Suitable protective inner packaging with bags, cartons, drums, or other appropriate outer packaging
Storage	Store in tightly sealed, suitable protective packaging in a cool, dry environment. Protect from moisture, heat, and direct sunlight. Specific storage conditions follow the approved product specification.
Documentation	COA · Product Specification · TDS · SDS · Applicable declarations (as applicable)

Final order quantities, lead times, packaging, documentation, and shipping arrangements are confirmed according to the selected product and commercial requirements.