Lutein
Colorants
Nutritional Enhancers
Antioxidants
127-40-2
E161b
C₄₀H₅₆O₂
$26.24 ~ $39.36
Food
Free sample from 100g(NF)
One unit of:25kg/barrel
One unit of:25kg/barrel
25kg/barrel
Product Info
What is Lutein?
Lutein is a naturally occurring yellow xanthophyll carotenoid pigment used commercially as a food colorant (E161b) and a popular dietary supplement for promoting healthy vision and eye health.
How is Lutein made?
| Step No. | Production Stage | Key Action | Control Point & Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raw Material Preparation | Harvest and dry marigold flowers (Tagetes erecta). | Note: Flowers are harvested at peak bloom for maximum lutein ester content. They are then dried to a specific moisture level (typically <10%) to prevent microbial spoilage and prepare for extraction. |
| 2 | Extraction | Grind the dried flowers into a meal or pelletize them, then use a solvent (e.g., hexane) to extract the oleoresin. | Control Point: The particle size of the meal is crucial for extraction efficiency. The process yields marigold oleoresin, which is rich in lutein esters, not free lutein. Solvent recovery is a key economic and environmental factor. |
| 3 | Saponification | Hydrolyze the lutein esters within the oleoresin using an alkali (e.g., potassium hydroxide) and a catalyst. | Control Point: This is the most critical chemical step to convert lutein esters to free lutein. Temperature, reaction time, and alkali concentration must be strictly controlled to maximize yield and prevent degradation of the lutein molecule. |
| 4 | Purification & Crystallization | Wash the saponified mixture with purified water to remove impurities (like soaps and salts), then induce crystallization of the free lutein. | Note: Multiple washes are performed to ensure purity. Crystallization is carefully controlled by adjusting pH, temperature, and concentration to form high-purity lutein crystals. |
| 5 | Filtration & Drying | Separate the lutein crystals from the liquid via filtration, wash them again, and dry them under vacuum. | Control Point: Drying must be performed at low temperatures under vacuum. Lutein is highly sensitive to heat and oxygen, and this process prevents thermal degradation and oxidation. Final moisture content is a key parameter. |
| 6 | Milling & Formulation | Mill the dried lutein crystals to a specific particle size and then formulate them into a stable form (e.g., microencapsulated beadlets, oil suspensions). | Control Point: Particle size distribution is controlled to ensure bioavailability and dispersibility. Antioxidants (like tocopherols) are added during formulation to protect the lutein from degradation and ensure shelf-life stability. |
| 7 | Final QC & Packaging | Perform comprehensive quality control tests on the final product and package it in protective containers. | Control Point: Test for lutein purity and concentration (via HPLC), residual solvents, heavy metals, and microbiological contaminants. Packaging must be airtight and light-proof, often nitrogen-flushed, to maintain product integrity. |
Technical Specifications
| CAS Number | 127-40-2 |
| Chemical Formula | C₄₀H₅₆O₂ |
| Solubility | insoluble in water; soluble in fats/oils, acetone, dichloromethane; slight in ethanol |
| Storage Conditions | store cool, dry, dark, ≤25 °C |
| Shelf Life | 24 Months |
Applications & Usage
Common Applications:
food colouring
dietary supplements
animal feed
cosmetics
Mechanism of action:
| Parameter | Lutein |
|---|---|
| Functional Category | Colorant (Carotenoid); Nutritional Supplement; Antioxidant |
| Key Ingredients | Lutein (a xanthophyll carotenoid, typically extracted from marigold flowers) |
| Mechanism of Action | As a colorant, the conjugated polyene chromophore absorbs blue light, reflecting yellow-orange hues. As an antioxidant, it quenches reactive oxygen species (ROS) and scavenges free radicals, protecting lipids and other molecules from oxidative damage. It selectively accumulates in the ocular macula to filter high-energy blue light. |
| Application Effect in Product | Imparts a consistent yellow-to-orange hue in applications such as pasta, baked goods, dairy alternatives, and beverages. Used in poultry feed to enhance egg yolk color. Provides nutritional fortification for functional foods and supplements targeting eye health. May improve product stability by inhibiting lipid peroxidation. |
Comparison:
| Product Name | Category/Type | Key Features | Strengths (vs peers) | Weaknesses (vs peers) | Best Use Cases | Why Choose |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lutein | Xanthophyll Carotenoid | Filters high-energy blue light; antioxidant; concentrated in the macula of the eye. | Most extensively studied carotenoid for preventing age-related macular degeneration (AMD); widely available and cost-effective. | Less potent as a general antioxidant compared to astaxanthin; functions best when paired with zeaxanthin. | Daily, long-term protection against blue light damage (screens, sun) and reducing the risk of cataracts and AMD. | For foundational, well-researched support for macular health and blue light filtering. |
| Zeaxanthin | Xanthophyll Carotenoid | Isomer of lutein; concentrated in the fovea (center of the macula); filters blue light. | Works synergistically with lutein; specifically protects the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision. | Less studied as a standalone supplement; typically found in smaller quantities than lutein in formulas. | Paired with lutein for comprehensive macular defense, particularly to enhance visual acuity and contrast. | To provide targeted protection to the most critical area for detailed central vision, complementing lutein. |
| Astaxanthin | Xanthophyll Carotenoid | Extremely powerful antioxidant; anti-inflammatory; crosses the blood-retinal barrier. | Significantly stronger antioxidant capacity than lutein/zeaxanthin; offers broad benefits for skin, joints, and inflammation. | Does not accumulate in the macula to the same degree as lutein/zeaxanthin for structural protection. | Reducing eye fatigue, strain, and dryness; providing potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory support to the eyes. | For superior antioxidant protection and relief from eye strain, especially if seeking benefits beyond just macular health. |
| Meso-zeaxanthin | Xanthophyll Carotenoid | Concentrated at the very center of the macula; potent antioxidant and blue light filter. | Most powerful antioxidant of the three macular carotenoids; highly efficient at its specific location in the fovea. | Not naturally abundant in diet; less common in basic supplements and less extensively researched than lutein. | Included in advanced eye health formulas to maximize Macular Pigment Optical Density (MPOD). | For the most targeted and potent enhancement of the central macula, often in therapeutic formulas. |
| Bilberry Extract (Anthocyanins) | Flavonoid / Anthocyanin | Supports microcirculation in the eye; helps regenerate rhodopsin (a pigment for night vision). | Specifically targets eye strain, night vision, and vascular health of the retina, a different mechanism than carotenoids. | Does not provide the structural blue-light filtering of macular carotenoids; evidence can be less consistent. | Alleviating visual fatigue from screen use, improving adaptation to darkness, and supporting retinal blood vessel health. | To address issues of eye strain and night vision, complementing the protective role of lutein. |
| Beta-carotene | Carotenoid (Vitamin A Precursor) | Converts to Vitamin A (retinol), which is essential for forming rhodopsin for vision. | Fundamental for preventing Vitamin A deficiency and supporting low-light and night vision. | Not a direct blue light filter; high-dose supplements can pose risks for smokers; less targeted for macular health. | Correcting nutritional deficiencies related to Vitamin A; foundational support for overall retinal function. | To address a core nutritional requirement for vision, especially if night vision is a concern. |
Technical Documents
Available Documentation
certificate of analysis available
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
SDS available
Certificate of Analysis (COA)
Quality assurance documentation
Technical Data Sheet
Detailed technical specifications