Water-dispersable carotenoid formulation in form of a liquid which contains a mixture of canthaxanthine and marigold soap, in turn containing between 1 and 500 parts of total carotenoid for each 1000 parts of solution and which, given the preparation characteristics thereof, has a pigmenting potential on eggs and animal tissues much greater that that obtained when these xanthophylls are applied separately. A method for the preparation of this formula consisting in three phases is described: 1) extraction of the soap by partial or total saponification of the marigold extract, 2) preparation of the water-dispersable canthaxanthine extract and 3) mixture of both products in controlled agitation and temperature conditions. The formulation is useful as pigmenting agent in the animal feed industry.
