Process for preparing xanthophyll crystals (Lutemax)

1. Key points of this patent

What it protects: A process for saponifying xanthophyll (e.g. lutein) esters with an alcoholic alkali without added water and extracting them with ethyl acetate to obtain crystals. The key is to make crystals of lutein and related compounds without adding water for saponification and without halogenated solvents, which most countries do not allow for food use.

2. What the specification says

Xanthophylls (lutein and related compounds) made up about 12% of the starting extract and 81–91% of the crystals. Trans-lutein accounted for 90–92% of the xanthophylls in the crystals.