Lutein, also known as plant lutein, is a kind of carotene. Its chemical formula is C40H56O2. It widely exists in vegetables, fruits, flowers and other plants. Its chemical formula contains two ketone rings. It is the main pigment in the macular region of human retina.
[source]：Marigold
[taste]：lutein has a faint taste like hay.
[solubility]：lutein is insoluble in water and propylene glycol, slightly soluble in oil and n-hexane, soluble in acetone, dichloromethane and ethanol, and easily soluble in ethyl acetate, tetrahydrofuran and chloroform. Its stability in solvent is absolute ethanol > ethyl acetate > tetrahydrofuran > toluene.
[stability]：the stability of lutein is poor, which is mainly affected by oxygen, light, heat, metal ions, pH and other factors. For example, the heat treatment process can cause lutein isomerization reaction to produce 9-cis and 13 CIS lutein. Therefore, during storage, the pure lutein crystal or lutein containing materials shall be sealed in vacuum or filled with inert gas to avoid light and stored at low temperature.
[safety]：lutein is highly safe, non-toxic and harmless. Coupled with its special physiological effects, it is in line with the development direction of "natural", "nutrition" and "multi-function" of food additives. It can be directly added to food like vitamins, lysine and other common food additives. Lutein is an important natural pigment and natural health product. It is a green raw material for healthy food.
[function]
Visual protection
Lutein is a fat soluble vitamin. Its absorption spectrum contains near blue violet light, which can help the retina of the eye resist ultraviolet light. Lutein is an important antioxidant for the eyes. Adding a large amount of lutein to the human body helps to maintain the visual endurance, improve the visual response time and reduce visual damage. For myopia, lutein supplementation can delay the increase of myopia.
pigmentation action
Lutein is widely used in condiments, tobacco, cakes, candy and a variety of feed processing. Lutein has been widely used as a colorant in China.
Antioxidation
Oxygen free radical in human body is an important cause of many age-related diseases. Lutein has strong antioxidant ability, can inhibit the activity of oxygen free radical and prevent the damage of oxygen free radical to normal cells.
Anticancer effect
Lutein has unique biological effects in inhibiting tumor growth. Its mechanism mainly includes antioxidant activity, inhibiting tumor angiogenesis and cell proliferation.
Effect of delaying early arteriosclerosis
The latest research results show that lutein can slow down the development of early atherosclerosis. Animal tests showed that the incidence rate of arterial thrombosis was lower than that of lutein feed, when mixed with lutein and feed from mice.
Prevention of diabetes
Lutein can be used as an effective adjuvant to enhance the hypoglycemic function of insulin. So eating foods rich in lutein and vegetables and fruits can reduce the risk of diabetes.
