[Latin Name] Haematococcus Pluvialis

[Plant Source] from China

[Specifications]1% 2% 3% 5%

[Appearance] Dark red Powder

[Particle size] 80 Mesh

[Loss on drying] ≤5.0%

[Heavy Metal] ≤10PPM

[Storage] Store in cool & dry area, keep away from the direct light and heat.

[Shelf life] 24 Months

[Package] Packed in paper-drums and two plastic-bags inside.

[Net weight] 25kgs/drum

Brief Introduction

Astaxanthin is a natural nutritional component, it can be found as a food supplement. The supplement is intended for human, animal, and aquaculture consumption.

Astaxanthin is a carotenoid. It belongs to a larger class of phytochemicals known as terpenes, which are built from five carbon precursors; isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate . Astaxanthin is classified as a xanthophyll (originally derived from a word meaning “yellow leaves” since yellow plant leaf pigments were the first recognized of the xanthophyll family of carotenoids), but currently employed to describe carotenoid compounds that have oxygen-containing moities, hydroxyl or ketone , such as zeaxanthin and canthaxanthin. Indeed, astaxanthin is a metabolite of zeaxanthin and/or canthaxanthin, containing both hydroxyl and ketone functional groups. Like many carotenoids, astaxanthin is a colorful, lipid-soluble pigment. This colour is due to the extended chain of conjugated (alternating double and single) double bonds at the centre of the compound. This chain of conjugated double bonds is also responsible for the antioxidant function of astaxanthin (as well as other carotenoids) as it results in a region of decentralized electrons that can be donated to reduce a reactive oxidizing molecule.

Function:

1.Astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant and may protect against oxidative damage to body tissues.

2.Astaxanthin can improve the immune response by increasing the number of antibody producing cells.

3.Astaxanthin is a potential candidate to treat neurodegenerative disease such as Alzhimer and Parkinson diease.

4.Astaxanthin dan reduce UVA-light damage to skin such as sunburn, inflammation, ageing and skin cancer.

Application

1.When applied in pharmaceutical field, astaxanthin powder has the good function of antineoplastic;

2.When applied in health food field, astaxanthin powder is used as food additives for pigment and health care;

3.When applied in cosmetic field, astaxanthin powder has the good function of antioxidant and anti-aging;

4.When applied in animal feeds field, astaxanthin powder is used as animal feed additive to impart coloration, including farm-raised salmon and egg yolks.

My work painting medieval illuminations is a great treasure for me to experience and share. I have learned this art from the master illuminator, Renaud Marlier and his delightful wife, also a master. He has taught me to use the techniques and materials which were used in the medieval period.

The process of painting an illumination is a journey of discovery which is one that must be followed with discipline, carefully heeding, with utmost patience, what the lines and colors teach. It is a meditation which cannot be rushed it the beauty is to unfold in luminous clarity.

I begin with preparing the parchment. This is done by making it supple in water and then streching it to dry on a board. The first lines of the design are transfered carefully from the sketch onto the parchment. If there is to be calligraphy in the work, this is done first. The gilding follows. I gild mostly on a base of gum ammoniac which comes from a tree native to Iran. It is also possible to do a “mirror gilding” which is achieved by laying the gold with fish glue over a raised base of gesso then burnishing it with an agate or hemitite stone. When the gilding is complete, the first layers of colors are painted. I use all natural pigments – organic and inorganic, stones, plants, earths etc. – and use an ancient recipe to bind them of gum arabic, honey water and egg glair. Since blue and red (lapis and minium) were considered the noble colors (being at that time the most expensive – except for true purple – they are applied first. The layers are built up very thinly and transparently to keep the colors’ jewel-like qualities. When sufficient colors have been applied, shading is done and highlights added using white or shell gold (a mixture of fine pure gold powder and gum arabic) are added. Finally, black lines are drawn to bring the composition together.

Music: Therese Schroeder-Sheker Queen’s Minstrel