Description

Lutein
Item: NL***0
Grade: 5% *0% *0%
CAS NO.: *******2
Molecular formula: C*0H*6O2
Molar mass: **8.***4
Botanical origin: Tagetes erecta L
Appearance:  Fine orange red powder
Type of extraction: Ethanol/water

Lutein is synthesized only by plants and like other xanthophylls is found in high quantities in green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale. In green plants, xanthophylls act to modulate light energy and serve as non-photochemical quenching agents to deal with triplet chlorophyll (an excited form of chlorophyll), which is overproduced at very high light levels, during photosynthesis.

Lutein is obtained by animals directly or indirectly, from plants. Lutein is apparentlyemployed by animals as an antioxidant and for blue light absorption. Lutein is found in egg yolks and animal fats. In addition to coloring yolks, lutein causes the yellow color of chicken skin and fat, and is used in chicken feed for this purpose. The human retina accumulates lutein and zeaxanthin. The latter predominates at the macula lutea while lutein predominates elsewhere in the retina. There, it may serve to protect the retina from the ionizing effect of blue light.