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Pigmentation & antioxidant carotenoids · Two products

KANTHIX™ Line — Nature's brilliance, perfected.

Radiant coloration — and antioxidant defense — for stronger livestock.

A two-product carotenoid line: KANTHIX™ R 10% (canthaxanthin) delivers golden yolks and skin for poultry; KANTHIX™ P 10% (astaxanthin) delivers pink-to-red flesh and shell pigmentation for salmonids, trout, and shrimp. Both are microencapsulated, double-coated, ISO 9001 / FAMI-QS produced — and both pull double duty as functional antioxidants and immune modulators.

Request datasheet The two products Stability data Trial outcomes
R: Canthaxanthin · min. 10% · CAS 8061-52-7
P: Astaxanthin · min. 10% · CAS 472-61-7
Form MicroencapsulatedDouble-coated granules/beadlets
Quality systems Manufactured under ISO 9001 · FAMI-QSGMP-compliant production
Shelf life 24 months97.7% retention sealed
Hazard class Non-hazardousEC 1272/2008

Why carotenoids — color is the visible part. There's more.

Canthaxanthin and astaxanthin are the two carotenoid pigments that deposit most efficiently in poultry yolk and skin, and in salmonid muscle and crustacean shell. Markets pay a premium for the visible result — but the molecule is also doing real physiological work: scavenging reactive oxygen species, sparing vitamin E, and supporting antibody and stress-response pathways.

Premium pigmentation

Predictable RYCF score uplift in yolks and skin (poultry, canthaxanthin) and CIE a* / SalmoFan™ score uplift in flesh and shell (aquaculture, astaxanthin) — the visible markers buyers price on.

Antioxidant defense

Scavenges reactive oxygen species; reduces lipid peroxidation (MDA); lifts total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), SOD, and GPx — with a documented vitamin E sparing effect under oxidative stress.

Immune-system support

Non-therapeutic support for antibody titers, complement activity, and overall immune homeostasis in poultry and fish. Maternal supplementation can transfer antioxidant protection to embryos.

The KANTHIX™ line — two carotenoids, one stability platform.

Both products share the same dual-layer microencapsulation matrix and the same lignosulfonate/sugar/starch/BHT carrier system. They differ only in the active carotenoid and its target species — canthaxanthin for terrestrial poultry, astaxanthin for aquatic species.

Reddish-Brown Granules CAS 8061-52-7

KANTHIX™ R 10%

Canthaxanthin · Poultry pigmentation & antioxidant

Microencapsulated canthaxanthin (min. 10%, trans-canthaxanthin min. 8%) for poultry. Delivers the deep golden yolk and skin color premium markets demand — and pairs with natural xanthophyll sources (marigold) in integrated pigmentation programs. Water-soluble at 25 °C; particle 100% < 840 μm; mash, premix, and pellet compatible.

Layers · Breeders Broilers · skin Pb < 2 mg/kg Water-soluble
5–250 g/MT · poultry feed Pairs with marigold xanthophyll
Pink to Dark Purple Beadlets CAS 472-61-7

KANTHIX™ P 10%

Astaxanthin · Aquaculture pigmentation & antioxidant

Microencapsulated astaxanthin (min. 10%) for salmonids, trout, shrimp, and ornamentals — applicable to specialty poultry where pink-to-red yolk or skin coloration is required. Fermentation-derived (non-GMO, food-grade), with documented bioavailability and CIE a* / SalmoFan™ score uplift. Pellet- and premix-compatible beadlet matrix.

Atlantic Salmon · Trout Shrimp · Crustaceans Non-GMO fermentation Specialty poultry
40–150 g/MT · aquatic feed 10–40 g/MT ornamentals

Stability data — 97.7% retention after 24 months sealed.

Canthaxanthin is traditionally unstable under light, oxygen, and temperature stress. KANTHIX™ overcomes this with a dual-layer micro-encapsulation matrix: the antioxidant-stabilized carotenoid is wrapped in a macro-molecular network, then sheathed in a starch layer, yielding round, dense, uniform particles that isolate the active from the external environment. A multi-condition stability study tracked retention across original packaging, mash feed, premix, and pelleted feed.

Canthaxanthin retention · KANTHIX™ R across storage conditions

Multi-condition stability study · supplier data provided to KYNAD
Long-term sealed / fresh pellet Mash & premix · short-term Pellet · 30-day open storage
97.7%
Sealed foil retention
24 months · original aluminum bag
95.3%
Pellet recovery
Post-pelleting · commercial temp.
94.2%
Mash feed retention
20 days · complete feed
92.1%
Premix retention
15 days · vitamin premix

Source: Supplier stability study provided to KYNAD, not KYNAD testing — "Study on the stability of KANTHIX R™ under different conditions." Multiple batches sampled at 3-month intervals through 24 months; pellet recovery measured at commercial pelleting temperature; mash and premix retention measured under natural storage. For optimal effect in pelleted feeds, use promptly post-pelleting.

KANTHIX™ R — poultry yolk & skin coloration.

Two published studies cover canthaxanthin application in poultry: layer egg-yolk coloration (Hy-Line Brown, 90 days) and brooder-off broiler skin/shank coloration (yellow-feather chicks, 16-day dose-response). Coloration is measured by Roche Yolk Color Fan (RYCF), the industry standard.

Roche Yolk Color Fan (RYCF) — reference scale

Pale yellow (1) to deep red-orange (15). Premium markets target 9+; integrators frequently specify 10–13.
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Pale-to-yellow (1–5): baseline corn–soy diet, no carotenoid supplementation.
Golden (6–9): typical natural xanthophyll (marigold) baseline.
Premium (10–13): KANTHIX™ R + xanthophyll integrated program target.

Hy-Line Brown layers · 90-day yolk coloration

Shandong Animal Husbandry & Veterinary · trial 2003, published 2006 3,000 hens · single-factor design · 5 treatments × 3 reps × 200 birds
Design. 3,000 Hy-Line Brown laying hens randomly allotted to one control + four treatment groups fed the supplier's earlier 2.5% canthaxanthin formulation (not the current KANTHIX™ R 10%) at 40, 80, 120, 160 mg/kg of product, equal to 1–4 mg/kg canthaxanthin, for 90 days on a corn–soybean basal diet. 50 eggs/replicate sampled at each time point; yolk color scored on the Roche Yolk Color Fan (RYCF). ADFI, laying rate, F/E ratio, and mortality recorded.
RYCF score · representative time points Control 40 mg/kg 80 mg/kg 120 mg/kg 160 mg/kg
Day 1 (baseline) 6.3 7.0 7.0 6.8 6.7
Day 3 6.1 8.0 7.3 9.3 9.4
Day 4 6.5 9.2 9.2 9.9 9.9+
Laying rate/F:E/mortality No significant differences across treatments — pigmentation gain delivered without production penalty.

Outcome: yolk color deepened markedly by Day 3 and stabilized after Day 7. Higher inclusions (120–160 mg/kg of product, 3–4 mg/kg canthaxanthin) reached RYCF ≈ 9.4–9.9 within 3–4 days. Source: Shandong Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Issue 4, 2006.

Brooder-off yellow-feather chicks · shank-color dose response

Feed Research / Livestock & Poultry · 2006 1,500 day-old chicks · 16 days · 5 treatments × 3 reps × 100 birds
Design. Yellow-feather broiler chicks raised without supplemental heat, fed KANTHIX™ R-supplemented corn–soybean mash at 300 / 350 / 400 / 450 / 500 g/MT (= 32.1 / 37.45 / 42.8 / 48.15 / 53.5 mg/kg canthaxanthin) for 16 days. RYCF shank color recorded from Day 6 every 2 days; BW, FI, FCR, and mortality monitored. Companion trial: head-to-head vs. two leading commercial canthaxanthin products at matched dietary canthaxanthin.
Shank coloration (RYCF) Day 6 Day 16 Verdict
KANTHIX™ R · 32.1 mg/kg 10.1 13.67 Premium-band entry
KANTHIX™ R · 37.5 mg/kg 10.4 13.85 Premium-band
KANTHIX™ R · 42.8 mg/kg 11.2 14.02 Diminishing return begins
KANTHIX™ R · 48.2 mg/kg 12.94 14.10 No further uplift at D16
KANTHIX™ R · 53.5 mg/kg 12.75 14.17 Plateau · over-dosed

Outcome: diminishing return above ~38 mg/kg by Day 16 — all five doses converged to RYCF 13.67–14.17 with no significant between-group differences (p > 0.05). Practical implication: dose to the target colorimetric outcome, not above it — the molecule plateaus before the budget does. Growth performance (BW, FCR, mortality) unaffected across all five doses.

KANTHIX™ P — aquaculture pigmentation + antioxidant.

Astaxanthin is the keystone carotenoid in farmed salmonids, trout, and shrimp — driving the pink-to-red flesh tone and shell color buyers price on. KANTHIX™ P 10% is fermentation-derived (non-GMO, food-grade) and stabilized in a dual-layer beadlet matrix that survives pelleting at 80 °C and 45 days of sealed storage with no measurable loss of efficacy.

Aquaculture & ornamental dosing

Species Inclusion Objective
Atlantic Salmon & Trout 40–100 g/MT Flesh pigmentation · SalmoFan™ score
Shrimp & Crustaceans 50–150 g/MT Shell color enhancement · stress resilience
Ornamental Fish 10–40 g/MT Aesthetic coloration
Aquatic feed (broad range) 10–1,000 g/MT Per program design & local regulations

Adjust per pigment target, local regulations, and program design. KYNAD technical team supports dose-curve modeling for SalmoFan™ score targets and shell-color objectives.

Functional benefits beyond color

  • Antioxidant capacity Scavenges reactive oxygen species; reduces lipid peroxidation (MDA) in serum and tissues; lifts total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), SOD, and GPx activity.
  • Vitamin E sparing Documented α-tocopherol sparing effect under oxidative stress — preserves serum vitamin E levels at lower supplemental inclusion.
  • Immune-related support Non-therapeutic support for antibody titers and complement activity in fish and poultry under stress. Maternal supplementation can transfer antioxidant protection to embryos.
  • Fermentation-derived Non-GMO microbial fermentation (Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous / Paracoccus spp.); clean-label-aligned with identity-preserved traceability.
40–100g/MT
Salmon & trout flesh
SalmoFan™ score target dependent
50–150g/MT
Shrimp & crustaceans
Shell color + stress resilience
↑CIE a*
Redness uplift
Tissue deposition · multiple species
80°C
Pelleting-stable
45 days sealed storage validated

Specifications — R vs. P.

Both products share the same carrier system and manufacturing standards. They differ in active carotenoid, granule vs. beadlet form, color profile, and target species. Certificate of analysis and SDS available on request for both.

Parameter KANTHIX™ R 10% KANTHIX™ P 10%
Active carotenoid Canthaxanthin · min. 10%
Trans-canthaxanthin min. 8%		 Astaxanthin · min. 10%
Fermentation-derived, non-GMO
CAS No. 8061-52-7 (lignosulfonate) 472-61-7 (astaxanthin)
Formulation Canthaxanthin · lignosulfonate · sugar · starch · BHT Astaxanthin 10% · Lignosulfonate 30% · Sugar 49.5% · Starch 10% · BHT 0.5%
Appearance Uniform reddish-brown granules · good flowability Pink to dark purple beadlets · free-flowing
Moisture Max. 8% ≤ 8%
Particle/density 100% < 840 μm · 90% < 425 μm · max. 15% < 150 μm Bulk density 0.5–0.8 g/cm³
Solubility Water-soluble at 25 °C Dispersible in premix & pelleted feed
Microencapsulation Dual-layer · antioxidant-stabilized + starch sheath Dual-layer beadlet · oxidation + heat protection
Target species Broilers · Layers · Breeders Salmonids · Trout · Shrimp · Ornamentals · Specialty poultry
Inclusion rate 5–250 g/MT poultry feed 40–100 (salmon/trout) · 50–150 (shrimp) · 10–40 (ornamental) g/MT
Heavy metals Pb < 2 mg/kg · As not detected Food-grade; assay on request
Storage Cool, dry, well-ventilated · away from sunlight Cool, dry, well-ventilated · <25 °C · away from sunlight
Shelf life 24 months sealed · 97.7% retention measured 24 months sealed (ambient)
Package 5 kg aluminum foil bags · 4 bags/carton 5 kg vacuum foil bags · 4 bags/carton
Hazard classification Non-hazardous · EC 1272/2008 Non-hazardous · EC 1272/2008
Quality systems Manufactured under ISO 9001 · FAMI-QS Manufactured under ISO 9001 · FAMI-QS

Quality assurance.

Quality systems Manufactured under ISO 9001 · FAMI-QSGMP-compliant production
Encapsulation Dual-layerOxidation + heat protection
Heavy metals (R) Pb < 2 mg/kgAs not detected
Stability 97.7% @ 24 moSealed foil bag
Origin (P) Non-GMO fermentationFood-grade · identity-preserved

Dosing Matrix — by product, species & objective.

KANTHIX™ R is typically dosed against a colorimetric target (RYCF for yolk, USDA color fan or operator standard for skin). KANTHIX™ P is dosed against SalmoFan™ score (salmon/trout flesh) or operator shell-color standard. Above the target, the molecule plateaus before the budget does.

Product Application Recommended inclusion Target outcome
KANTHIX™ R Layers · yolk coloration (combined w/ natural xanthophyll) 5–40 g/MT RYCF 9–12+
KANTHIX™ R Broilers / breeders · skin & shank coloration 30–250 g/MT RYCF 13–14 (plateau ≥ 38 mg/kg)
KANTHIX™ P Atlantic Salmon · flesh pigmentation 40–100 g/MT SalmoFan™ 25–30
KANTHIX™ P Trout · flesh pigmentation 40–80 g/MT SalmoFan™ 25–28
KANTHIX™ P Shrimp · shell color & stress resilience 50–150 g/MT Operator shell-color standard
KANTHIX™ P Ornamental fish · aesthetic coloration 10–40 g/MT Hobbyist / breeder standard

SalmoFan™ is a trademark of DSM-Firmenich. Inclusion ranges are starting points — final dose should be modeled against feed-batch carryover, baseline xanthophyll level (poultry), and the operator's target on the relevant color scale. KYNAD technical team supports custom dose-curve modeling.

Storage & handling.

Both products are stable on a feed-mill shelf in sealed aluminum foil bags — but both are sensitive to light, heat, and humidity once the seal is broken. Use opened bags quickly and protect from direct sunlight throughout handling.

Storage

  • Cool, dry, well-ventilated Store sealed 5-kg foil bags away from direct sunlight and high-humidity storage areas. Below 25 °C preferred for KANTHIX™ P.
  • Light-sensitive Carotenoids degrade under direct sunlight and UV. Keep bags sealed when not dispensing; minimize ambient light exposure during dosing.
  • Use quickly once opened Once foil seal is broken, schedule use promptly. Microencapsulation protects against routine premix conditions, not extended open-bag storage.

Handling

  • PPE Safety goggles recommended when handling. Handle in a well-ventilated area. Standard feed-additive PPE applies.
  • Non-hazardous Per EC No. 1272/2008 and amendments: neither product is hazardous. No hazard pictograms, warning words, or precautionary advice required.
  • Environmental Non-hazardous to environment under normal use. No foreseeable environmental threat under standard handling and disposal conditions.
Pelleting note. Both products are stable through commercial pelleting (~80 °C, ~95% recovery), but extended open storage after pelleting reduces pellet-feed retention. For optimal pigment delivery in pelleted feeds, use promptly post-pelleting and minimize warehouse holding time on finished feed.
Request

Request the full KANTHIX™ packet.

Product Overviews for KANTHIX™ R and KANTHIX™ P, full specification sheets, the multi-condition stability study, two published trial summaries (Hy-Line Brown layers, brooder-off chick dose-response), and the KANTHIX Pink Introduction Book. Dose-curve modeling available scaled to your RYCF or SalmoFan™ target.

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