Astaxanthin, a red dietary carotenoid isolated from Haematococcus pluvialis, is a modulator of PPARγ and a potent antioxidant with antiproliferative, neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory activity. Astaxanthin has potential in the treatment of various diseases, such as cancers and Parkinson’s disease, cardiovascular disease. Due to its bright red colour, Astaxanthin could be used as a food colorant in animal feeds.