Iconthin study backs algae-based astaxanthin for trout feed

Iconthin Biotech says a peer-reviewed rainbow trout study found its AlgaeAsta® microalgal powder delivered the highest numerical astaxanthin retention among supplemented diets. The findings could give aquafeed makers more data on natural alternatives to synthetic astaxanthin as demand grows for traceable feed ingredients.

Why it matters: - Aquafeed makers and salmonid producers are looking for natural astaxanthin options that can match synthetic ingredients on performance. - Astaxanthin helps drive the red flesh color associated with salmon and rainbow trout. - The study adds peer-reviewed data on how microalgae-derived astaxanthin performs in feed, including how much of the ingredient ends up retained in fish tissue.

What happened: - Iconthin Biotech announced the publication of a peer-reviewed rainbow trout feeding study in Elsevier’s Aquaculture. - The study compared AlgaeAsta® natural astaxanthin ingredients with synthetic and bacterial astaxanthin sources. - Researchers tested two AlgaeAsta® ingredients made from Haematococcus pluvialis: a microalgal powder with 1% natural astaxanthin and an Astaxanthin Oil with 10% natural astaxanthin. - The trial examined growth performance, fillet color, nutrient retention, antioxidant capacity, tissue astaxanthin accumulation and gut microbiome composition.

The details: - Trout fed the microalgal and synthetic astaxanthin diets achieved the highest white-muscle astaxanthin concentrations. - Among astaxanthin-supplemented treatments, AlgaeAsta® microalgal powder posted the highest numerical net apparent retention, or NAR, at 5.80%. - NAR was 4.39% for synthetic astaxanthin, 3.65% for microalgal oil and 2.88% for bacterial astaxanthin. - NAR measures the share of dietary astaxanthin retained in fish tissue after intake is accounted for. - The study found the microalgal powder affected the rainbow trout gut microbial community. - Researchers said the microbiome changes may matter beyond pigmentation, but further research is needed to determine the functional and commercial significance. - Iconthin founder and CEO Dr. Alvin Cheng said aquafeed companies need credible performance data, not just natural-origin claims. - Cheng said the NAR result is encouraging because ingredient utilization affects the commercial value of astaxanthin. - The study was done with researchers at the University of Guelph and Iconthin Biotech, with support from Mitacs. - The paper is titled “Replacement of Synthetic Astaxanthin With Microalgal and Bacterial Sources: Effects on Growth, Colouration, Nutrient Retention, Antioxidant Capacity, and Gut Microbiome of Rainbow Trout.” - The journal citation is Aquaculture, Volume 626, Article 744418. - The release also linked to the full study and more information about AlgaeAsta®.

Between the lines: - The study suggests ingredient format matters as much as source, since the wall-broken microalgal powder outperformed other supplemented diets on retention. - That could strengthen the case for processed microalgae products, not just raw natural ingredients, in feed formulation. - The gut microbiome finding gives Iconthin another possible angle, but the release does not show a commercial or health endpoint tied to that change. - The release frames AlgaeAsta® as competing in a market still dominated by synthetic astaxanthin.

What's next: - Iconthin Biotech says it will keep developing its microalgae production and processing platform to improve cultivation efficiency, ingredient performance and cost competitiveness. - The company says aquafeed and animal-nutrition customers can request technical specifications, samples or formulation discussions by email. - Iconthin points to its 2026 Canadian Food Inspection Agency authorization for microalgae-based astaxanthin in fish-feed applications as another step toward adoption. - The company says peer-reviewed data and regulatory clearance together create a stronger basis for commercial evaluation in aquaculture and animal nutrition.

The bottom line: - Iconthin is trying to turn a natural-ingredient story into a formulation story, with data suggesting its algae-based astaxanthin can compete on retention as well as origin.