Patent ID: 9687422
Date: 2017-06-27
CPC Classifications: A23L,A23V,A61K,A61Q,C07C,C12P

Claim:
1. A method of producing a crystallized carotenoid-containing composition that is a needle crystal wherein the maximum length of crystals is 5 μm or longer, and whose astaxanthin content based on the total composition is 50 mass % or more, wherein the method comprises: an extraction step where a culture obtained by culturing a microorganism that produces carotenoids including astaxanthin is extracted using a one- to three-carbon alcohol; an extract separation step where an extract is obtained by separating the microorganism and the extract; a concentration step where a concentrate is obtained by concentrating the extract by 1.25-times to 20-times in terms of liquid quantity; a heating step wherein the solution is heated to a temperature higher than the temperature for the crystallization step thereby causing isomerization of cis-carotenoid isomers to transisomers; a crystallization step where crystals of the carotenoid-containing composition are produced in the concentrate; and a crystal separation step where the crystals are separated and obtained from mother liquor; wherein the crystal is a needle crystal having an astaxanthin content, based on the mass of the total composition, of 50 mass % or more, and wherein the maximum length of crystals is 5 μm or longer.