Dr. Winfried Behr
Friedrich-Breuer-Str. 86 - D-53225 Bonn
Tel. +49-228-462938 - +49-228-465528
Dietetic and Pharmaceutical Raw Materials
Zeaxanthin and Lutein
Zeaxanthin is isomeric with Lutein. These two carotene alcohols differ
from each other just by the shift of a single double bond so that in Zeaxanthin
all double bonds are conjugated. Zeaxanthin always accompanies Lutein in
nature (see MERCK INDEX). In Tagetes (Marigold) blossom extract, the usual
source of Lutein, about 4% of the total is Zeaxanthin.
The percentage of Zeaxanthin in Lutein can be increased by treatment with
strong alcali to appr. 24%. This reaction was known since many decades (described
by Paul Karrer in 1947). Nevertheless, by error the US Patent no. 5,523,494
was granted in 1996.
©2002 by Dr. Behr
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