The invention relates to an environmentally friendly, resource-conserving, and economical method for producing astaxanthin esters of formula 1, wherein astaxanthin of formula 2 is doubly esterified with fatty acid chlorides of general formula 3. For this purpose, compounds 2 and 3 are reacted in an organic solvent in the presence of a nitrogen-containing base of general formula 4. The invention further relates to the non-therapeutic use of diester 1, wherein R stands for a residue that is selected from the group consisting of C13-C19 alkyl, C13-C19 alkenyl, C13-C19 alkdienyl, and C13-C19 alktrienyl, in the nourishment of humans or animals, and to diester 1 produced according to the method, for therapeutic use as a medication and as an ingredient for a medical preparation.
