Lutein and Zeaxanthin Powder: A High-Value Natural Pigment Ingredient for Aquaculture, Pet Food, and Livestock Feed

Created on 04.21

April 2026, Shaanxi, China. As the global feed industry commits to a natural functional feed additive model, the demand for natural functional feed additives continues to increase at a rapid pace, andlutein and zeaxanthin powderhas now become a popular ingredient for inclusion in pigmentation enhancement and animal health support programs. Shaanxi New Things Biotech, a botanical extract supplier and exporter with over 10 years of export experience, would like to announce the availability of our high-quality Lutein & Zeaxanthin powder for use in feed products and provide feed manufacturers with products that will enhance their product performance while meeting the requirements of the Clean-Label Market.

Lutein & Zeaxanthin are carotenoid-based pigments that have been widely used to enhance the colouration, antioxidant defences and overall health of animals. The demand for these two pigments continues to grow in aquaculture, swine feed formulas & pet food.

What Is Lutein and Zeaxanthin Powder?

The natural extract of carotenoids from Lutein/zeaxanthin/marigold (Tagetes Erecta) and other botanical sources, is commonly found in powder form as a natural extract of carotenoids from marigold (Tagetes erecta) or from other botanical sources. Carotenoids are fat-soluble pigments that provide antioxidant protection to plants.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin Powder provide an important source of natural pigmentation for skin and flesh, and yolks; contribute to supporting the immune system and maintaining an oxidative balance; enhance the appearance of the livestock and their products; contribute to an increased market value for aquaculture and livestock producers.

Because they come in a steady form and blend easily, the lutein and zeaxanthin powders are widely used in: premixes, concentrates and compound feeds.

Why Lutein and Zeaxanthin Are Important in Modern Feed Formulations

Today's feed manufacturers are under more and more pressure to maximize animal performance but with less synthetic inputs. Natural carotenoids such as lutein and zeaxanthin provide a viable solution for both color and functional nutrition.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin powder naturally produce the colour of the feeds, they offer a much more consumer friendly label than artificial pigmenting additives, and they promote the premium position of feeds (especially aquaculture exports and high quality pet feeds).

Benefits of Zeaxanthin for Fish Color and Health in Aquaculture

Zeaxanthin is found to be extremely useful in aquaculture due to its ability to provide improved pigmentation stability. The colour of salmon, shrimp & ornamental fish, as well as other marine fish, are all affected by the concentration of carotenoids that are present and will have a direct impact on the price at market.

The key benefits of supplying zeaxanthin as a fish feed additive are:

red/orange skin and flesh becomes more intense
antioxidant protection is enhanced at stressful conditions
immune response is supported at high production rates
higher survival rates and growth will be obtained

The major problem in high-density aquaculture systems is oxidative stress. Zeaxanthin is a carotenoid antioxidant that has the capability to protect fish tissues and support their overall health, therefore it is a good ingredient for high-level aquafeed.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin Powder for Pet Food Pigmentation

Appearance and nutrition matter equally when it comes to pet food. The highest quality pet food brands are using more and more natural coloring to make the product look great in the bag or box or can.
Lutein and Zeaxanthin Powder for Pet Food is most often used for the following:

naturally yellow-orange coloring
improving formulas for skin and hair/coat health
positioning as an antioxidant for animals of old age
a great “all-natural product” to use in marketing claims

Lutein is also used as a functional additive by many pet food producers to help support the eye health of companion animals, especially within the senior dog and cat (senior) nutritional lines

Lutein and Zeaxanthin Powder for Swine Skin and Meat Quality

The swine industry is paying more attention to the quality and appearance of the meat as well as the carcass itself. Pigmentation, along with antioxidant nutrition, significantly impact how consumers view the product. Markets that demand a bright, even colored skin and enhanced color of the meat itself, will be influenced by pigmentation and antioxidant nutrition.

Lutein and zeaxanthin powdercan be used in swine feed formulations to:

Improve the portrayal of meat color,
Increase meat tissue's antioxidant capacity,
Improve the skin tone (complexion) of the swine, and decrease dullness of the skin,
Add value to the overall feed for premium pork production.

Key Feed Applications of Lutein and Zeaxanthin Powder

Because of its versatility, bulklutein and zeaxanthin powdercan be used across many types of animal feed including:

aquaculture feed (for fish, shrimp, crabs, and ornamental fish);
poultry feeds (egg yolk pigmentation and skin color);
swine feeds (for supporting skin coloration and meat coloration);
ruminant feeds (functional antioxidants); and pet feeds (for natural coloration and functional nutrition).

Because of this wide range of applications, bulk lutein and zeaxanthin powder represent a valuable ingredient to feed manufacturers who are looking for multi-functional carotenoids to add to their animal feeds.

Why Choose Shaanxi New Things Biotech as Your Lutein and Zeaxanthin Powder Supplier?

Shaanxi New Things Biotech offers a full lineup of botanical extracts and functional feed ingredients. We've been producing and exporting these raw materials to our customers for over ten years now. We are engaged with our international customers by providing stable quality products, reliable production capacity and strong technical support.

Some key benefits of working with us are:

All products have the same lutein and zeaxanthin levels.

We check our products carefully and keep records of each batch.

We provide all needed documents (COA, MSDS, and TDS) so you can export them.

We package our products according to your needs if you want to buy in large amounts.

We will reply quickly and provide good services for global trade.

Shaanxi New Things Biotech remembers our past experiences of working together for a long time in places like Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Shaanxi New Things Biotech wants to be someone that you can trust to buy feed additives from.

Where to Buy Bulk Lutein and Zeaxanthin Powder for Feed

When looking to purchase bulk Lutein and Zeaxanthin powder for feed, selecting a supplier with both quality consistency and export compliance is critical.

The bulk Lutein and Zeaxanthin powders that Shaanxi NewThings Biotech produces and supplies are used by feed manufacturers/distributors and premix factories all over the world. Our products service multiple segments of the animal nutrition market including:

-Aquaculture feed manufacturers

-Pet food manufacturers

-Livestock feed manufacturers

-Feed additive trading companies

-Contract manufacturer projects

We ship large, bulk orders and fulfill long-term Supply Agreements for customers worldwide.

Market Outlook: Growing Demand for Natural Carotenoid Feed Additives

The feed industry continues to experience significant changes and trends with increasing focus on natural functional additives, which will lead to improved aesthetics and health outcomes. Further growth in lutein and zeaxanthin markets is expected because of the following;

An increased consumer demand for fish and meat with natural pigments
Increased exports of high quality Aquaculture Products
Increased developments in high quality pet food production
Decreased use of synthetic pigments in certain areas.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin powder will be a great option for feed manufacturers to compete in both the pigmentation and Functional Nutrition segments.

FAQ: Lutein and Zeaxanthin Powder for Feed Applications

1. What is lutein and zeaxanthin powder used for in animal feed?

Lutein and Zeaxanthin powder is commonly used as a natural carotenoid pigment to color the animals in aquaculture (fish and shrimp), swine (pigs), poultry (chickens, ducks), and pet food [or treat] - it also provides antioxidant nutrition for the animals.

2. Does zeaxanthin improve fish color in aquaculture?

Zeaxanthin is commonly added to support the pigmentation of body (skin and flesh) in fish and shrimp, and this color is of a critical market value.

3. Can lutein and zeaxanthin be used in pet food?

Yes. Several companies that make pet foods add lutein and zeaxanthin to enhance pigmentation, the look of the foods, and their overall antioxidant value.

4. Is Lutein and Zeaxanthin powder good for swine feed?

Yes. This product is often included in pig-feed recipes to help provide colour stability for the skin as well as new standards of meat-quality stability in premium pork production.

5. How to store Lutein and Zeaxanthin powder?

The Lutein and Zeaxanthin powder needs to be kept in a cool, dry location, where no sun or any sort of high-oxidizing environment would ruin its stability.

6. Where can I buy bulk Lutein and Zeaxanthin Powder used for Feed purposes?

Bulk lutein and zeaxanthin powder can be obtained directly from Suppliers that are Knowledgeable and Experienced, such as Shaanxi New Things Biotech (SNTB), which offers export support and provide a stable long term supply.

Conclusion

The new feed ingredient is Lutein and Zeaxanthin, which is a high-value ingredient derived from two main colors and has gained significant popularity as a feed additive worldwide. Lutein and Zeaxanthin Powder will not only provide pigmentation for aquaculture feeds but will also add color to pet foods while improving feed performance in livestock feeds. Lutein and Zeaxanthin powders will be utilized as two main colors with two functionalities, namely natural pigments and antioxidants, making them an optimal choice for manufacturers looking to produce clean-label feed ingredients in a high-quality and premium form.

Shaanxi New Things Biotechwill continue supplying reliable botanical extract based solutions and functional feed additive solutions worldwide, in order to support innovation within the global aquaculture, pet nutrition, and livestock feed industries.

Please contact Shaanxi New Things Biotech. 

Need product specs, COA, samples, or bulk pricing for lutein and zeaxanthin powder? Just reach out at info@newthingsbiotech.com

References

Britton, G., Liaaen-Jensen, S., & Pfander, H. (2008). Carotenoids: Natural Functions.
Goodwin, T. W. (1980). The Biochemistry of the Carotenoids.
NRC (National Research Council). (2011). Nutrient Requirements of Fish and Shrimp.
Surai, P. F. (2012). Antioxidant Systems in Poultry Biology.
Johnson, E. J. (2014). Role of lutein and zeaxanthin in visual and tissue antioxidant protection.

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