A Study on the Different Methods of Preparation of Lutein from Supercritical Fluid Processed Lutein Esters

Peter Amala Sujith A,Hymavathi Tv

doi:10.4172/2155-9600.1000154

Abstract

Lutein is a dietary oxycarotenoid which is found to reduce the risks of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). Supercritical fluid extraction of lutein esters from marigold petals was carried out and was found to be much effective than conventional solvent extraction. The saponification of pre-concentrated lutein esters to produce free lutein was studied which showed a composition of about 88% total carotenoids (UV-VIS spectrophotometry) and 90.7% lutein (HPLC). The lipase catalyzed hydrolysis of lutein esters in conventional medium was investigated. The optimal temperature, pH, enzyme concentration and water activity were found to be 50°C, 7, 15% and 0.33 respectively and the activity loss of lipase was about 25% after 8 times re-use at 50°C for 12 days. However, the lipase catalyzed hydrolysis of lutein esters in conventional media resulted in poor conversions (38.7%).

Highlights

Since the beginning of the food industry, natural or synthetic pigments were used to give an attractive presentation, perception of freshness, taste, and quality of food
The saponification of lutein esters after preconcentration gives a much higher yield of lutein compared to the lipase catalyzed hydrolysis
There is a definite possibility for the reduced use of alkali and less saponification time for the preconcentrated lutein esters

Summary

Introduction

Since the beginning of the food industry, natural or synthetic pigments were used to give an attractive presentation, perception of freshness, taste, and quality of food. Lutein is an oxycarotenoid/xanthophyll containing two cyclic end groups and the basic C40 isoprenoid structure [1]. It is a non-vitamin A carotenoid that cannot be synthesized by humans and lutein and zeaxanthin are the only dietary carotenoids present in the macular region of the retina and the lens [2]. Marigold flower petals are excellent sources of lutein as they contain high levels of lutein (of the order 4500 mg/lb) and no significant levels of other carotenoids [6]. Age may play a role in the human body’s ability to absorb lutein since enzyme activity normally decreases with the aging process [10]

Methods

Results

Conclusion