Israeli microalgae and biotech specialist will launch its AstaPure-EyeQ ingredient, inspired by the eyes of eagles, during Vitafoods Europe in Geneva this week.
The proprietary microencapsulation form of natural astaxanthin, developed in conjunction with the Italian startup Sphera Encapsulation, is encapsulated with a formula of biodegradable and natural materials which are claimed to enable higher bioavailability in the eyes and brain.
In nature, astaxanthin, combined with other carotenoids is found in the eyes of birds, such as eagles, and it works to protect the bird's eye from oxidative stress and radiation.
The powder, derived from Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae, is cold water soluble and has a neutral flavour and aroma meaning it is readily incorporated into supplements such as softgels, sachets, gummies and chewables, and other functional foods and beverages.
The studies
A clinical study conducted in 2018 by Algatech and Prof. Aviv Shaish at Sheba Medical Center, Israel, suggests that AstaPure-EyeQ delivers a two-fold increase in bioavailability over standard astaxanthin supplements in the plasma of healthy volunteers.
A preclinical study conducted by principal investigator Tatsuya Sugawara, PhD, of the Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University in Japan, suggests that AstaPure-EyeQ reaches the plasma and crosses both the blood-brain and the blood-retina-barriers, making it more readily available to the brain and eyes.