Roche Vitamins Inc.

Dsm IP Assets B.v.

Werner Simon

Arnold Gloor

Wolfgang Steinberg

Hansjorg Grundler

Alfred Giger

Joseph Schierle

Hansjoerg Gruendler

Andreas Brungger

Astaxanthin derivatives of the general formula (I) wherein R is in each case group &#x2014;NH&#x2014;CH(R)&#x2014;COOR, &#x2014;ORor &#x2014;(Y)-Z and R, R, R, Y, Z and n are significances given in detail in the description, are novel compounds with improved stability during extrusion at the elevated temperatures as required in feed manufacture and during the storage of the manufactured feed and which accordingly are useful as pigmenting carotinoids for feed for aquatic animals. The derivatives are produced by reacting astaxanthin with the pertinent acid RCOOH as such or as its acid chloride RCOC1 or acid anhydride (RCO)O, or, in the cases where R signifies a group &#x2014;NH&#x2014;CH(R)&#x2014;COOR, with the appropriate N-carbonyl-amino acid ester of the formula OCNCH(R)COOR. The invention also concerns a formulation containing such an astaxanthin derivative as the pigmenting carotenoid for use in a feed for aquatic animals, a process for producing such a formulation by dissolving the astaxanthin derivative in a plant or vegetable oil or fat, or in an organic solvent, or in a mixture of both a plant or vegetable oil or fat and an organic solvent, emulsifying the solution with an aqueous solution of a protective colloid, at least partially removing the solvent and water to afford a concentrated emulsion, and spray-drying the concentrated emulsion to finally produce a formulation suitable for incorporation in a feed for aquatic animals, and a feed for aquatic animals containing such a pigmenting carotenoid. 

Astaxanthin esters

The present invention is a method for pigmenting a food or foodstuff comprising combining in a source of feed, a carotenoid ester of formula I:wherein R is methyl, C-alkyl, C-alkenyl, or C-cycloalkyl. Further embraced by the invention are the carotenoid-enriched feeds, e.g., for poultry, fish, or crustacea, premixes for incorporation in such feeds, and beadlets containing the carotenoid ester for incorporation in such premixes. A further aspect of the present invention is carotenoid esters of formula I.

Carotenoid esters, carotenoid-enriched feeds, and methods of pigmenting foods and foodstuffs

A process for catalytically isomerizing Z-3-methylpent-2-en-4-yn-1-ol to E-3-methylpent-2-en-4-yn-1-ol is provided. This process includes contacting a stereoisomeric mixture containing Z-3-methylpent-2-en-4-yn-1-ol and E-3-methylpent-2-en-4-yn-1-ol with a source of bromine radicals in a two-phase reaction mixture having an aqueous phase and a stereoisomeric mixture phase, intermixing the reaction mixture, and heating the reaction mixture to a temperature from about &minus;10&deg; C. to about 100&deg; C.

Catalytic isomerization of Z-pentol to E-pentol

New carotenoids of the formula ##STR1## wherein R and n have the significances given herein, are useful for pigmenting the egg yolk, integuments and/or subcutaneous fat of poultry and the meat and/or integuments of fish and crustacea when included in the feed of the poultry, fish or crustacea. As well as such carotenoids and method of pigmenting the invention further embraces the pertinent carotenoid-enriched feed for poultry, fish or crustacea, the premixes for incorporation in such feeds and beadlets containing one or more of these carotenoids for incorporation in such premixes and the use of the carotenoids in the pigmenting method. The process of manufacturing such carotenoids, which more specifically may be designated as carotenoid ketones, monoesters and diesters, also represents an aspect of the invention.

Carotenoid ketones and esters

A novel process for the manufacture of .beta.-keto alcohols from aldehydes comprising reacting a conjugated polyene aldehyde under basic conditions with a cyclocarbonate or derivative thereof. Certain carotenoid products of this process are novel compounds and are also an object of the present invention. The products, which for the most part belong to the carotenoid field, find corresponding use, for example, as colorants or pigments for foodstuffs, egg yolk, integuments and/or subcutaneous fat of poultry and flesh and/or integuments of fish and crustaceans.

Growing community of inventors

Riehen, Switzerland

Werner Simon