DESCRIZIONE
The present invention is a method for pigmenting a food or foodstuff comprising combining in a source of feed, a carotenoid ester of formula I: [Image Omitted]
wherein R is methyl, C3-16-alkyl, C3-16-alkenyl, or C5-8-cycloalkyl. Further embraced by the invention are the carotenoid-enriched feeds, e.g., for poultry, fish, or crustacea, premixes for incorporation in such feeds, and beadlets containing the carotenoid ester for incorporation in such premixes. A further aspect of the present invention is carotenoid esters of formula I.