Enantioselective separation of all-E-astaxanthin and its determination in microbial sources

A method for the enantioselective separation of all-E-astaxanthin (3,3′-dihydroxy-β,β-carotene-4,4′-dione), an important colorant in the feed industry, was developed. Different chiral stationary phases (CSPs) such as Pirkle phases (R,R Ulmo and l-leucine), modified polysaccharides and a β-cyclodextrin have been investigated on their separation performance of astaxanthin enantiomers. Direct resolution was only achieved employing the Chiralcel OD-RH (cellulose-tris-3,5-dimethylphenyl-carbamate) under reversed phase conditions. The chiral separation of the enantiomeric forms of astaxanthin produced in microalgae and yeasts was reported. The yeast Xanthophyllomyces sp. produces astaxanthin predominantly in the R,R configuration, whereas in the green microalgae Scenedesmus sp. astaxanthin is built primarily in the S,S form. The separation method for the identification of astaxanthin enantiomers is of great interest since astaxanthin is used as functional food additive in human nutrition. Moreover the method may be used as a food chain indicator in farmed salmon.