Molecule of the Week

February 28, 2005

Astaxanthin

Astaxanthin, a member of the carotenoid family, is part of a nutritious diet—for lobsters and shrimp. These crustaceans bind astaxanthin to the protein β-crustacyanin, which changes the shape of the astaxanthin molecules, turning them a gray-blue color. Cooking releases the molecules, returning them to their original bright red color.