Haematococcus pluvialis is a freshwater unicellular green algae belonging to the Chlorophyta, Volvoxales, Haematococcus family, and Haematococcus genus. The algae can accumulate a large amount of astaxanthin and appear red, hence the name Haematococcus pluvialis, also known as Haematococcus pluvialis. Haematococcus pluvialis is an algae food rich in nutritional value discovered by the scientific community after Spirulina and Chlorella.

Haematococcus pluvialis is considered to be one of the best raw materials for producing astaxanthin. Astaxanthin has higher antioxidant activity than carotenoids and vitamin E. Studies have shown that its antioxidant activity is 10 times that of carotenoids and 550 times that of vitamin E. It is known as a "super antioxidant" and is widely used in functional foods, medicines and cosmetics.