AstaReal Launches Stable Astaxanthin Ingredient EB15
The encapsulated ingredient targets human dietary supplements after previously being used in animal feed.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Nutrition
AstaReal has launched EB15, an encapsulated astaxanthin ingredient containing at least 1.5% natural astaxanthin derived from the freshwater microalga Haematococcus pluvialis. The ingredient is designed for two-piece, HPMC and gelatin capsules and is entering human dietary supplements after prior use in animal feed.
Why it matters
Astaxanthin is sensitive to oxygen, and the encapsulation is designed to protect it against oxidation, which could help maintain stability in product formats with higher oxygen exposure. The launch extends the ingredient's use from animal feed into human supplements.
The ingredient contains at least 1.5% natural astaxanthin, and a company-affiliated study of 20 active women reported greater fat use during moderate exercise after two weeks of 12 mg daily supplementation. Tablet applications remain under evaluation, and the study's comparator design was not reported.
The players
AstaReal
AstaReal is the company that developed and launched the EB15 astaxanthin ingredient for human dietary supplements.
Kuehnle AgroSystems
Kuehnle AgroSystems is a Hawaiian algal biotechnology company that closed a multi-million-dollar Series B financing and uses proprietary dark fermentation to produce natural astaxanthin.
The details
AstaReal's EB15 is designed for two-piece capsules, HPMC capsules and gelatin capsules, and the company says its testing showed good stability in two-piece capsules. The product is produced at a facility approved for food, and AstaReal continues stability and formulation tests, including for tablets.
Timeline
July: AstaReal-affiliated study on astaxanthin and fat use was published.
November 6, 2026: AstaReal launched the EB15 ingredient.
Nutrition Landscape
EB15 follows the established use of Haematococcus pluvialis-derived astaxanthin in animal feed, now extending that natural algal ingredient into human capsules. The move reflects a broader push by ingredient makers to stabilize oxygen-sensitive carotenoids for supplement formats.
Readers taking astaxanthin supplements may see the ingredient in capsule products using this encapsulated form, which the company says better preserves stability. The launch does not yet indicate changes to availability or price for consumers.
The takeaway
Stability is a practical concern for oxygen-sensitive supplements, and encapsulation formats like EB15 aim to address it. Consumers evaluating astaxanthin products may look for stated stability data and sources of the ingredient.
What happens next
AstaReal continues to evaluate EB15 across different formulation types, including tablet applications that remain under evaluation.
Further reading
Explore more on Nutrition for context on supplement ingredients and formulation.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Nutritioninsight.
