Canthaxanthin is a reddish brown to black carotenoid with significant coloring ability and multiple biological activities. As a functional coloring factor, canthaxanthin is mainly used in food and cosmetics, and is known for its superior coloring effect and stability. The main role of canthaxanthin in the food industry is as an efficient pigment, providing products with a bright orange-red color. Due to its excellent coloring properties, canthaxanthin is widely used in various foods and beverages, such as candies, beverages, baked goods and sauces. This natural pigment can enhance the visual appeal of food and make the product more eye-catching in the market. Canthaxanthin is also very stable in color. It can maintain its bright color under different processing conditions and will not fade even during long-term storage.

The high stability of canthaxanthin makes it have a wide range of applications in food processing and storage. It can maintain a stable color under various temperature and acid-base conditions, making it an ideal long-term storage pigment. In addition, canthaxanthin has antioxidant properties, similar to other carotenoid compounds, which can effectively resist oxidative stress and protect cells from free radical damage. This antioxidant effect helps slow down the aging process, maintain cell health, and may have a positive impact on preventing certain chronic diseases.

In addition to being a pigment and antioxidant, canthaxanthin also exhibits immunomodulatory activity. Studies have shown that canthaxanthin can increase the proliferation of T cells and B cells, enhance the function of macrophages and T cells, and thus improve the overall activity of the immune system. Canthaxanthin can maintain the receptor activity of macrophages to antigens, promote the normal progress of immune responses, and help to enhance the body's natural immunity. This immunomodulatory effect makes canthaxanthin also have certain application potential in health supplements. Canthaxanthin is not only used for coloring in the food industry, but also in the cosmetics industry, as a natural colorant to provide cosmetics with an orange-red hue. It can also be used in beverages, ice cream, sauces, tomato products, meat products, etc. to enhance the visual effects and market appeal of these products.