Carotenoid lutein

The carotenoid groups of pigments are ubiquitous in nature and more than 600 different carotenoids have been identified and characterized. They are responsible for pigmentation in animals, plants, and microorganisms, but crucially also serve important, often critical, roles in biological systems.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are xanthophyll carotenoids found particularly in dark-green leafy vegetables and in egg yolks. Lutein is a member of Xanthophyll family which mostly found in green leafy vegetables like pea, broccoli, corn, spinach, carrot, egg yolk etc. and flowers like marigold.

Lutein is the active carotenoid and is potent, natural source antioxidant. It is one of the most widely distributed carotenoids in fruits and vegetables frequently consumed in daily diet by different populations. Lutein (3,3'-dihydroxy-β,ε-carotene) is a carotenoid. Of the many carotenoids circulating in the human serum, only lutein and zeaxanthin accumulated in the macular region of the retina, where they act as antioxidants.

Lutein

Lutein possesses pronounced free radical scavenging ability due to its polarity and number of conjugated double bonds. Lutein absorbs blue light and therefore appears yellow at low concentrations and orange-red at high concentrations. On an average it accounts for approximately 48% of the total xanthophylls in green leafy vegetables.

Lutein and also zeaxanthin may be protective in eye disease because they absorb damaging blue light that enters the eye. Lutein is also known to act as an important dietary nutrient for prevention against eye diseases like cataract and age-related macular degeneration.

Lutein is also known to have positive health effects for people suffering from cardio vascular diseases. Carotenoid mixture including synergistic effects of lutein with lycopene is found to have preventive effects against oxidative damage. Carotenoid lutein may reduce the oxidative damage or minimize the damage due to oxidative stress, by limiting the degree to which oxygen penetrates membranes.

In adults, higher lutein status is related to better cognitive performance, and lutein supplementation improves cognition.
Carotenoid lutein

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Carotenoids: astaxanthin

Astaxanthin is a red-pigment carotenoid occurring naturally in various microorganisms and marine animals and classified as a xanthophyll. It is a red fat-soluble pigment which does not have pro-Vitamin A activity in the human body, although some of the studies reported that astaxanthin has more potent biological activity than other carotenoids.

It has a chemical structure similar to that of the familiar carotenoid β-carotene. It is commonly found in crustaceans (e.g. shrimps, crawfish, crabs and lobster) and produced by microalgae.

Astaxanthin possesses an unusual antioxidant activity which has caused a surge in the nutraceutical market for the encapsulated product.

Xanthophylls such as astaxanthin and zeaxanthin have been documented to inhibit lipid peroxidation by inhibiting the production of lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) upon oxidative damage of fatty acids and other lipids. Astaxanthin has been found to inhibit lipid peroxidation in rat hepatic mitochondria induced by ADP/Fe2+. Also, health benefits such as cardiovascular disease prevention, immune system boosting, bioactivity against Helycobacter pylori, and cataract prevention, have been associated with astaxanthin consumption.

The natural sources of astaxanthin are algae, yeast, salmon, trout, krill, shrimp and crayfish. The commercial astaxanthin is mainly from Phaffia yeast, Haematococcus and through chemical synthesis. Haematococcus pluvialis is one of the best sources of natural astaxanthin.
Carotenoids: astaxanthin

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What is carotenoids?

Carotenoids are vitamin A precursors, chemical such as beta carotene, a deep yellow carotenoid pigment found in dark green, bright yellow, and orange fruits and vegetables. The carotenoids also found in microorganisms, insects, birds, fish and other animals.

Humans do not biosynthesis carotenoids so all carotenoids that are found in human blood and tissues must be ingested, ether in food or as supplements.

Human body transforms a vitamin A precursor into retinol-like substance. Due to functions as a source of vitamin A, it can prevent vitamin A deficiency.

Carotenoids that do not contain oxygen are called carotenes, and are deep orange on color; those that contain oxygen are called xanthophylls and are yellowish.

Carotenoids are also used as colorants in manufactured food products, and carotenoids and carotenoid-rich extracts are available as supplements.

Carotenoids absorb light primarily in the blue and green regions of the spectrum while reflecting those of the yellow, orange, and red region. Carotenoids produce the characteristics colors of carrot and oranges and the leaves plants during the fall.
What is carotenoids?

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