Valensa adds astaxanthin to krill oil in new ingredient

Targeting general and cardiovascular health, the new Deep Ocean Krill ingredient combines Superba Krill Oil from Aker with Zanthin Natural Astaxanthin from Valensa.

Florida-based Valensa claims that the two distinguishing features of the new ingredient are its high astaxanthin levels and its stability – the product offers guaranteed shelf-life of two years.

Astaxanthin​

The marketing of krill oil has tended to focus on DHA and EPA fatty acids but with its new ingredient Valensa is trying add astaxanthin to the krill story.

Astaxanthin is an antioxidant has been linked to reduced inflammation and lower levels of the inflammatory marker called C - reactive protein. It has also been associated with other beneficial effects related to eye health, joint health, and heart health, among others.

Dr. Rudi Moerck, president & CEO of Valensa, told NutraIngredients-USA.com that astaxanthin is found naturally in krill but some of it is lost in processing. Valensa has therefore decided to boost astaxanthin levels in its new krill oil ingredient by its own Zanthin Natural Astaxanthin.

Moerck said: “Krill oil is the best thing that could have happened to astaxanthin – it can really help astaxanthin to become more mainstream.”​

Stability ​

Valensa is not the first company to have added astaxanthin to krill oil. Enzymotec has already gone down this path but Valensa claims that its ingredient is the most stable on the market.

Thanks to the addition of its botanical O2B Peroxidation Blocker technology, Valensa says it can guarantee Deep Ocean Krill a two year shelf-life.

Moerck said: “While Valensa is not the first company to add astaxanthin to krill oil, our know-how and formulation experience with natural stabilizers has led to the most stable krill oil product on the market today. ​

“We think that this combination results in an ingredient that consumers wanting a premium krill oil supplement will respond to positively and market with confidence.”​

Deep Ocean Krill will contain 1.5mg of astaxanthin per gram of oil and custom formulations with up to 12mg of Astaxanthin per gram of oil will be available. Valensa recommends a standard Deep Ocean Krill dosage of 300 mg / day and 600mg / day for cardiovascular health support.

New products​

At the end of last year, Valensa announced that it had obtained licenses from Aker BioMarine to develop its own dietary supplements targeting eye and heart health. Deep Ocean Krill will be used in those products.

At the same time, Valensa is looking to partner with other nutritional supplement companies interested in using the new ingredient in their products.