Figure 1.

Formation of lutein (L) from marigold flower as free L (microcrystals) and as a diacetate derivative. In the flower, L is present as esterified L with fatty acids. To extract this carotenoid, it is de-esterified and purified by crystallisation. To solubilise these crystals and facilitate absorption in the digestive system, L and other xanthophyll carotenoids (XCs) can be re-esterified with acetate or propionate upon crystallisation and re-suspended in the flower’s lipid matrix with added surfactants to maintain the XCs solubilised under ambient conditions.