Astaxanthin medium-chain fatty acid esters, their preparation, and compositions containing them

Foods, cosmetics, can be expected to apply in the field of pharmaceuticals, moreover compared to long chain fatty acid ester form astaxanthin, digestive absorption, tissue migration to provide a high astaxanthin medium-chain fatty acid esters. In the conventional method, by utilizing the catalytic action of lipase, attempting to synthesize a medium chain fatty acid esters of astaxanthin, but the ester is not formed, in the present invention by adding a predetermined amount of water in the reaction system, astaxanthin or its long chain fatty acid esters, by reacting a medium chain fatty acids or triglycerides thereof or a suitable ester, for producing a composition comprising a monoester and / or diester of astaxanthin medium-chain fatty acids. Further isolating these monoesters and / or diesters as needed. Food and cosmetics containing the composition of the present invention are also provided.