Abstract: Pigment compositions useful for supplementing marine animal feeds comprise comminuted Haematococcus cells treated to degradation of carotenoids, typically by coating or by combination with an anti-oxidant. Encysted Haematococcus cells are ground at cryogenic temperatures, typically by combining the cells with liquid nitrogen in a suitable impact mill. The resulting powder has an average particle size below about 5 .mu.m. Usually, the Haematococcus will be grown in large-scale culture ponds under controlled conditions.

Abstract: A composition is described comprising naturally-derived carotene dispersed in a non-petroleum, naturally-derived edible oil. The carotene may be in form of its mixed isomers, or one or more of the individual isomers may be present to the exclusion of the others. Of the isomers the beta-carotene isomer is preferred, although others, notably the alpha- and gamma-carotene isomers, are also desirable components. Naturally-derived stabilizers may be present in the composition. The carotene content is 0.5-7.5 weight percent of the composition. The carotene is preferably obtained from algae. No petro-chemical residues are present in the composition since the formulation is produced at all stages without use of petrochemical contact.

Abstract: A process is described for the formation of a naturally derived composition comprising carotenes, particularly beta-carotene, in oil. The process involves the direct oil extraction of the carotene from algae. The algae are initially harvested as a water slurry and concentrated, as by flocculation, in the slurry. The concentrated portion of the slurry is then mixed with oil and homogenized to form an oil emulsion. Direct contact of the oil and algae results in a high degree of extraction of the carotene from the algae by the oil. The water/oil emulsion is broken and the oil phase containing the carotene separated as by centrifugation and recovered. The resulting carotene/oil composition is useful as a precursor in formation of Vitamin A in human nutrition. The carotene itself may also have some use as a preventative material for certain types of cancers or in supplementation of poultry and livestock feed.