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Lutein Powder, derived from Marigold Extract and recognized as a Chinese herb extract among the wider array of natural extracts, is a potent nutrient supplement that holds significance in both the food additive and natural food colorants sectors. Lutein (also known as "phytolutein"), which comes from the petals of marigold flowers, is an essential natural pigment extensively found in vegetables, fruits, flowers, and specific algae organisms. Since its recognition back in 1995, the United States FDA has approved lutein as a vital food supplement for use in food and beverages.

This remarkable Herb extract, Lutein Powder, particularly stands out as a nutritional gem due to its efficacy in combating human aging processes and age-related health conditions. It plays a significant role as a nutrient supplement for the aged and the broader population alike by providing protection against macular degeneration diseases, cataracts, and other visual impairments associated with aging.

In the international market, the value placed on Lutein Powder is testament to its potency; it commands a price equivalent to one gram of gold per gram, thus earning it the esteemed nickname of "plant gold." Its status as a premium natural ingredient underscores its widespread acceptance and popularity within the United States market and beyond, demonstrating its benefits not just as a visually enhancing agent but also as a vital nutrient supplement for overall health maintenance.

1. Structure of lutein

Lutein is a class of oxygen-containing carotenoids that share a basic structure: A six-membered carbon ring structure connected by a cogiant chain of 18 carbon atoms, consisting mainly of two Carotenes and Xan thophylIs, the former being a general term for non-oxygenated carotenoids and the latter a general term for oxygenated carotenoids. Including lutein (uten), zeaxanthin, a carotene, cryptoxanthin, purple xanthin capsaicubin and so on.

2. Distribution of lutein

2.1 Distribution of lutein in fruits and vegetables

Lutein exists widely in nature (Table 1), but its form is different. The lutein present in broccoli, green beans, green peas, string beans, Brussels sprouts, kale, kale, spinach, geying, kiwi honey dew and other green vegetables and fruits exists in free and non-esterified form. There is also a large amount of lutein in yellow orange fruits and vegetables such as mango, papaya, peach, plum (plum), acorn pumpkin, bamboo melon and orange, but the lutein in these fruits and vegetables is in the form of cool fatty acids such as carnauic acid, lauric acid, palmitic acid. After ingestion of these foods, lutein esters are hydrolyzed to free lutein before being absorbed and metabolized

2.2 Content and distribution of lutein in Marigold

Marigold is native to Mexico. Its flowers and leaves can be used as medicine to clear heat and eliminate phlegm, replenish blood and channel menstrual cycle. It is rich in lutein, which is the most important carotenoid in the petals, and usually 3% to 6% of zeaxanthin, the content of other carotenoids is very small, so it is a very good source of lutein.

Lutein in marigold also exists in the form of lauric acid, myristate acid and palmitic acid, and its content is related to the flower variety, source and location. Some researchers extracted marigold flower petals with hexane, and HPLC analysis showed that there were free lutein and 8 kinds of lutein esters, of which 80% to 100% were lutein vinegar, and the higher content was dimyristate, myristate palmitate, dipalmitate and palmitate stearate (Table 2).

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The researchers also compared the pigment content of different flower varieties and tissue parts. As can be seen from Table 2, the average content of T. patula was higher than that of T. erecta, which was 132 mg/100 g and 68 mg/100, respectively. The pigment content of the petals is generally higher than that of the calyx, so that the pigment content of the latter is often negligible, but some varieties have high pigment content in both the petals and calyx