Lutein

Lutein is a yellow carotenoid dye widely found in nature. The term lutein is used synonymously with xanthophyll. The dye accompanies chlorophyll and is found in green plants, flowers, fruits, bacteria, egg yolks, cereal grains and as dipalmitate in the retina of the eye.

food colouring (E 161 b), feed additive

The term "xanthophylls" is used to describe (besides carotenes) a second group of carotenoids. Xanthophylls have a great chemical similarity to carotenes, but in contrast to them they contain oxygen-containing groups. Xanthophylls are differently coloured natural substances (in animals as well as in plants).

1. Manayi A et al(2015) Lutein and cataract: from bench to bedside. Crit Rev Biotechnol 36:829-839.
2. Nataraj J et al (2016) Lutein protects dopaminergic neurons against MPTP-induced apoptotic death and motor dysfunction by amliorating mitochondrial disruption and oxidative stress. Nutr Neurosci 19:237-246.
3. Roldán-Fidalgo A et al (2016) In vitro and in vivo effects of lutein against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity. Exp Toxicol Pathol 68:197-204.
4. Tominari T et al (2017) Lutein, a carotenoid, suppresses osteoclastic bone resorption and stimulates bone formation in cultures. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 81:302-306.
5. Yoshizako H et al (2016) Comparison of macular pigment and serum lutein concentration changes between free lutein and lutein esters supplements in Japanese subjects. Acta Ophthalmol 94:e411-e416.