Lutein

Lutein is a dihydroxy xanthophyll, β,ε-carotene-3,3'-diol, also named all-trans-lutein or 4',5'-didehydro-5',6'-dihydro-β,β-carotene-3,3'-diol. CAS is 127-40-2, formula C40H56O2 and formula weight 568.88. It carries one β-ring and one ε-ring, which distinguishes it from zeaxanthin and means the two cannot be separated by mass alone, only by chromatography. Commercial supply is overwhelmingly from Tagetes erecta L., the African or Aztec marigold, and India is the dominant growing origin. Dried and milled marigold petals are solvent-extracted to an oleoresin containing lutein, lutein esters, other carotenoids and roughly 14% waxes and 1% fatty acids. Purified lutein is then obtained by saponifying the oleoresin to cleave the fatty acid esters, followed by crystallisation, so the finished article is free non-esterified lutein rather than the ester concentrate. The JECFA specification for lutein from Tagetes erecta requires not less than 80% total carotenoids and not less than 70% lutein, with lead not more than 3 mg/kg. Highly purified crystalline material typically assays around 95% total carotenoids, of which roughly 90% is all-trans lutein and 4% all-trans zeaxanthin, since the marigold oleoresin naturally carries 2-9% zeaxanthin. That native co-content is why lutein-to-zeaxanthin ratios such as 5:1 and 10:1 can be delivered by controlled blending rather than by adding a separate isolate. Thovek supplies crystalline lutein plus 5%, 10% and 20% cold-water-dispersible beadlets and oil suspensions. Lutein carries INS 161b(i) and E161b; JECFA's 2018 evaluation set a group ADI of 'not specified' covering lutein from Tagetes erecta, lutein esters and zeaxanthin, replacing the 2004 group ADI of 0-2 mg/kg body weight. The carotenoid backbone is oxygen and light sensitive, so beadlet matrices are built around modified starch or gelatin with sucrose or corn starch, stabilised with tocopherols and ascorbyl palmitate, and all packs ship nitrogen-flushed and light-proof. Two commercial points deserve attention on the label. First, the lutein itself is marigold-derived and therefore vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free, and free from milk, egg, fish, crustacean and tree nuts. Second, the beadlet carrier is where allergen and origin risk actually sits: gelatin-matrix beadlets are bovine or fish gelatin and break both a vegan and a vegetarian claim, and mixed tocopherol antioxidants are commonly soy-derived. Specify a modified-starch matrix and a non-soy antioxidant where those claims are required. Every batch ships with a certificate of analysis covering HPLC assay, carotenoid profile, residual hexane, heavy metals, pesticide residues and microbiology.