The two main carotenoids,
astaxanthin and canthaxanthin are extracted from crab and shrimpprocessing. Newer uses for both these compounds have beenidentified. Their highly antioxidative properties make them candidates as functional food ingredients. Astaxanthin may have a use as ananti-aging compound, whilst canthaxanthin could contribute totreatments for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, high cholesterol,strokes and cancer (Miyashita & Hosokawa, 2008).