Zeaxanthin

• E 161h
• All-trans- (3R, 3'R ) - β -carotene -3, 3' -diol

Orange -yellow solid

Fixed

215 ° C

• Insoluble in water
• Soluble in methanol, ethyl acetate and petroleum ether

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Zeaxanthin is a natural orange yellow dye to light radiation passes, in plants and animals in the reactions involved. Chemically, a xanthophyll zeaxanthin, an oxygen-containing carotenoids ( " oxidized β -carotene "). The substance is approved as e 161h in the EU as a food dye.

Occurrence

Of course zeaxanthin comes as a yellow dye present in corn kernels, spinach, egg yolk and in many vegetables.

Production and representation

Although zeaxanthin is found in some plants, but is also produced synthetically for medicinal purposes and as a food dye.

Properties

Chemical Properties

Zeaxanthin belongs to the xanthophylls, which are a group of carotenoids. The compound is sparingly soluble in petroleum ether and water ( <1 mg / l at 20 ° C), but soluble in methanol, ethyl acetate and chloroform. Zeaxanthin has structural similarity to carotenes such as beta -carotene.

Use

Zeaxanthin is used as:

• Food coloring
• For animal feeds ( premixes, feed mixtures )

Biological Significance

Zeaxanthin comes along with its isomer lutein as a pigment in the retina before, especially in the so-called yellow spot ( macula lutea) and protects the retina as a filter against high light intensity. Lately zeaxanthin gaining increasing interest in the medical field, as it may in certain forms of retinal degeneration, especially in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a protective effect could have, based on the antioxidative effect of the compound.

Zeaxanthin in plants plays an important role in the conversion of light to heat, so that the plant at a high radiation intensity is not damaged ( xanthophyll ).