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Lutein is a naturally occurring carotenoid pigment, widely known for its role as an antioxidant and eye-health nutrient.
Luteins chemical formula is C₄₀H₅₆O₂.
Lutein belongs to the class of xanthophyll carotenoids.
CAS Number: 127-40-2
Molecular Formula: C40H56O2
Molecular Weight: 568.87
EINECS Number: 204-840-0
Synonyms: Lutein, 127-40-2, all-trans-Lutein, Vegetable lutein, Vegetable luteol, Lutein A, trans-Lutein, Xantofyl, all-trans-Xanthophyll, FloraGLO, FloraGLO Lutein, beta epsilon carotene 3,3'-diol (3R,3'R,6'R), E161b, Oro Glo 7, Leutein, OS 24, INS 161B(I), X72A60C9MT, DTXSID8046749, INS-161B(I), E-161B, NSC-59193, DTXCID6026749, CHEBI:28838, gamma Lutein, RefChem:5966, 204-840-0, Bo-Xan, Lutein ester, all-trans (+) Xanthophyll, MFCD08435941, UNII-X72A60C9MT, NCGC00167965-01, EINECS 204-840-0, Lutamax, Lutein 5%, Lutein 10%, Lutein 20%, Lutein 50%, Lutein 95%, LUTEIN FCC, LUTEIN USP-RS, Xanthophyll MI, SCHEMBL19342, CHEMBL173929, DB00137, CAS-127-40-2, beta,;beta,e-carotene-3,;beta,e-carotene-3,3’-diol;SAG-1000;epsilon-carotene-3,3’-diol,(3theta,3’theta,6’theta)-bet;xanthophyllfromalfalfa;beta,epsilon-carotene-3,3'-diol;XANTHOPHYLL FROM CORN
Lutein consists of a long conjugated polyene chain with cyclic end groups containing hydroxyl (–OH) functionalities.
This structure allows it to absorb blue light and act as an antioxidant.
Lutein is responsible for its biological activity.
Lutein is naturally found in green leafy vegetables and certain fruits, such as spinach, kale, and corn.
Lutein is also present in the human retina.
This highlights its nutritional importance.
Physically, lutein appears as a yellow to orange crystalline powder.
Lutein is insoluble in water but soluble in fats and organic solvents.
It is sensitive to light, heat, and oxygen.
Lutein exhibits strong antioxidant properties, scavenging free radicals.
Lutein helps protect cells from oxidative damage.
This supports health benefits.
Lutein plays a key role in eye health, particularly in the macula of the retina.
It helps filter harmful blue light.
This protects vision.
Lutein is chemically sensitive to oxidation and degradation, especially under light and heat exposure.
Proper storage is required.
Lutein is often stabilized in formulations.
Lutein is best described as a fat-soluble antioxidant carotenoid important for eye protection and cellular health, widely used in nutrition and health-related applications.
Lutein is a type of carotenoid, which belongs to photosynthetic pigments and naturally widely presents in vegetables (such as spinach, kale, broccoli, etc.), flowers, fruits and other plants.
Lutein can absorb and transfer light energy to Chlorophyll a at a particular state to convert light energy.
Lutein plays a role in protecting chlorophyll.
Lutein is a rhombus yellow crystal with metallic luster, and it is unstable when exposed to light and hydrogen, insoluble in water and easily soluble in grease and fatty solvents.
Lutein shall be stored in a cool dry place, away from light and air.
Lutein is the most important nutritive component in human retina.
There is a high concentration of Xanthophyll in macula (central vision) and lens of the eye retina.
The human body cannot synthesize Xanthophyll itself, and it must be taken up from food.
After breaking through all difficulties, Xanthophyll goes into the lens and macular to perform antioxidant effects, and neutralize harmful free radicals, and filter out the blue light (which is harmful to the eye), and avoid oxidation damage to eyes caused by sunlight.
Lutein is a xanthophyll and one of 600 known naturally occurring carotenoids.
Lutein is synthesized only by plants, and like other xanthophylls is found in high quantities in green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale and yellow carrots.
In green plants, Lutein 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 high light levels during photosynthesis.
Lutein is one of the primary carotenoids concentrated in the macula of the human eye, often referred to as a macular pigment.
Lutein works together with zeaxanthin.
The compound exhibits strong blue-light absorption capability, particularly in the 400–500 nm range.
This helps reduce light-induced oxidative stress.
Lutein protects retinal tissues.
Lutein shows synergistic antioxidant activity with other nutrients, such as vitamins C and E.
These interactions enhance overall protection.
This supports cellular defense systems.
Lutein is fat-soluble, meaning its absorption in the body depends on dietary fats.
Bioavailability improves when consumed with lipids.
This is important in nutrition.
Lutein can accumulate in biological membranes, especially in eye tissues.
Lutein helps stabilize membrane structure.
This contributes to cellular integrity.
Melting point: 195 °C
alpha: 18Cd +165° (c = 0.7 in benzene)
Boiling point: 572.66°C (rough estimate)
Density: 0.9944 (rough estimate)
refractive index: n20/D 1.361–1.363
Flash point: 269.1±27.5 °C
storage temp.: -20°C
solubility: Chloroform (Slightly), Dichloromethane (Slightly), Methanol (Slightly, Heated, Sonicated)
pKa: 14.61±0.70 (Predicted)
form: Solid
color: Red to Very Dark Red
biological source: rabbit
optical activity: 〔α〕656.3 +16220 (c 0.2, CHCl3)
λmax: λ: 441–451 nm Amax
Merck: 13,10120
BRN: 2068547
Stability: Light Sensitive, Temperature Sensitive
Cosmetics Ingredients Functions: SKIN CONDITIONING
InChIKey: KBPHJBAIARWVSC-RGZFRNHPSA-N
SMILES: CC(=C/C=C/C=C(C)/C=C/C=C(C)/C=C/C1=C(C)CC@@H
CC1(C)C)C=CC=C(C)C=C[C@H]2C(C)=CC@H
CC2(C)C
LogP: 11.524 (est)
Lutein is rich in some green vegetables and fruits such as cabbage, spinach, lettuce, green beans and rapes, but chlorophyll, β-carotene and other epoxy carotenoids and oxygen substituted derivatives of carotenoids are also rich in such plants, making is not easy to extract the pure xanthophyll.
After long-term searching, people found very high levels of Lutein and zeaxanthin and less impurities of other carotenoids in flowers of marigold, which makes separation and purification easy, thus marigold can be a good source for industrial production of Xanthophyll.
In addition, this product and zeaxanthin are also rich in some yellow-orange fruits such as mango, papaya, peaches, and pumpkins.
Lutein plays an important role in protecting the macula of the retina.
The absence of Xanthophyll can easily cause macular degeneration and blurred vision, and with the further symptoms of vision degeneration, myopia and so on.
Lutein is a precursor of NA, and it can be transformed into VA in the human body.
The main physiological function for eyes of Xanthophyll is as antioxidants and light protectors.
Optic nerves are non-renewable and highly vulnerable to harmful free radicals, and the antioxidant effects of Xanthophyll can inhibit the formation of harmful free radicals.
Lutein can absorb a large number of blue visible lights, which have the close wavelengths to ultraviolet lights and are a kind of harmful lights that can reach the retina and with the largest potential hazardous.
Before reaching the sensitive cells of the retina, the light goes through the most heavily gathering area of Xanthophyll.
If Lutein is rich now, the damage can be lower to the minimum.
Lutein is the major substance causing yolks to have a deeper yellow color.
Lutein has no nutritive value, Years ago when chickens ran freely on the farm they ate grass which contains xanthophyll.
Modern production units put enough Lutein in the ration of chickens to produce a medium-yellow yolk.
Feeds that contain large amounts of Lutein produce a deep yellow color in the beak, skin, and shank of yellowskinned breeds of chickens.
The consumer associates this pigmentation with quality and, in many cases, is willing to pay a premium price for a bird of this type.
Also, processors of egg yolks are frequently interested in producing dark-colored yolks to maximize coloration of egg noodles and other food products.
The latter can be accomplished by adding about 60 mg of xanthophyll per kilogram of diet. In recognition of these consumer preferences, many producers add ingredients that contain xanthophylls to poultry rations.
Lutein is often obtained through extraction from natural sources, such as marigold flowers.
Industrial production focuses on plant-based extraction.
This supports supplement manufacturing.
Lutein exhibits low pro-vitamin A activity, unlike some other carotenoids.
Lutein is often used in formulated products with encapsulation techniques to improve stability.
Encapsulation protects it from degradation.
Lutein is a biologically important carotenoid with light-filtering, antioxidant, and membrane-protective functions, making it essential in nutrition, eye health, and functional formulations.
Uses:
Lutein is one of the most widespread carotenoid alcohols in nature.
Originally isolated from egg yolk, also isolated by chromatography from nettles, algae, and petals of many yellow flowers.
Lutein is widely used in dietary supplements as an eye-health nutrient.
It helps support macular function and vision.
This promotes long-term eye health.
In functional foods and beverages, it is added to enhance nutritional value.
Lutein provides antioxidant benefits.
This supports health-focused products.
Lutein is used in infant nutrition formulas to mimic natural carotenoid content found in breast milk.
It supports visual development.
This improves nutritional quality.
In pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products, it is included for its antioxidant and protective properties.
Lutein helps reduce oxidative stress.
This supports overall health.
Lutein is applied in cosmetic and skincare formulations as an antioxidant ingredient.
It helps protect skin from oxidative damage.
This improves skin health.
Lutein is used as a natural food colorant, providing yellow to orange coloration.
Lutein enhances visual appeal of foods.
This supports product aesthetics.
In animal feed, especially for poultry, it is used to enhance pigmentation of egg yolks and skin.
Lutein improves product appearance.
This is important in agriculture.
Lutein is applied in functional eye-care products, such as formulations targeting blue-light protection.
It supports visual comfort.
This aligns with modern needs.
Lutein is also used in research and biomedical studies related to vision and oxidative stress.
It helps investigate protective mechanisms.
This supports scientific research.
Lutein is used wherever antioxidant activity, eye protection, pigmentation, and nutritional enhancement are required across supplements, foods, cosmetics, and animal nutrition.
Lutein is used in eye-health formulations targeting age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
It helps support macular pigment density.
In blue-light protection supplements for digital device users, it is included to reduce eye strain.
Lutein filters high-energy visible light.
This improves visual comfort.
Lutein is applied in fortified dairy and cereal products to enhance nutritional value.
It adds antioxidant support without affecting taste.
This improves functional food quality.
Lutein is used in sports nutrition and recovery products for its antioxidant properties.
It helps reduce oxidative stress from physical activity.
This supports recovery.
In anti-aging skincare products, it is included to help protect against oxidative damage and environmental stress.
Lutein supports skin vitality.
This enhances cosmetic performance.
Lutein is applied in medical nutrition products, especially for individuals with specific eye or oxidative stress conditions.
It supports targeted nutritional therapy.
This improves health outcomes.
Lutein is used in color enhancement of processed foods, such as beverages, sauces, and snacks.
It provides natural yellow-orange coloration.
This improves visual appeal.
In aquaculture and fish feed, it is used to enhance pigmentation of fish skin and flesh.
Lutein improves market value.
This supports aquaculture production.
Lutein is also used in encapsulated ingredient systems to improve stability and delivery in complex formulations.
It protects lutein from degradation.
Lutein is used wherever eye protection, antioxidant support, natural coloration, and functional nutrition are required across food, supplement, cosmetic, and agricultural applications.
Safety Profile:
Lutein presents very low hazard potential, as it is a naturally occurring dietary carotenoid widely consumed in foods and supplements.
It is generally recognized as safe at typical use levels.
However, standard handling precautions are recommended for concentrated forms.
Skin contact is typically low risk, but prolonged exposure to concentrated powder may cause mild irritation or staining (yellow coloration).
Sensitive individuals may experience slight redness.
Protective gloves are recommended in industrial handling.
Eye contact may cause mild mechanical irritation.
Symptoms can include redness and discomfort.
Eyes should be rinsed with water if exposure occurs.
Inhalation of dust may cause minor respiratory irritation.
Fine particles can irritate the nose and throat.
Adequate ventilation and dust control are recommended.
Ingestion is considered safe at normal dietary and supplement levels, but excessive intake may lead to harmless effects such as skin yellowing (carotenodermia).
Lutein is not associated with significant toxicity.
Medical advice may be sought if large amounts are consumed.
