What Is Zeaxanthin?

Zeaxanthin (Zeaxanthin, 3,3'-dihydroxy--carotene), also known as zeaxanthin, has a molecular formula of C ₄₀ H ₅₆ O ₂ and a molecular weight of 566.88. It belongs to isoprene and is an oxygen-containing compound. Xanthophyll, an isomer of lutein. Most of the zeaxanthin found in nature is AllE-iso-mer.

Exterior

Pure zeaxanthin is a crystalline powder, orange-red, and odorless. The dilute solution is orange-red and blood-red oily liquid above 10 , and yellow semi-solidified oily substance below 10 .

structure

Zeaxanthin is a polyene molecule containing 9 alternating carbon conjugated double and single bonds. One end of the carbon skeleton is connected with one ionone ring with a hydroxyl group. This conjugated double bond system constitutes a light-absorbing chromophore, which gives carotenoids a unique color and provides a visible light absorption spectrum that can be used as a basis for identification and quantitative analysis. Zeaxanthin has two stereo centers, so theoretically there can be 4 stereoisomers, which are 3R, 3'R-zeaxanthin, 3S, 3'S-zeaxanthin, 3R, 3'S-zeaxanthin, and 3S. , 3'R-zeaxanthin. However, the molecular structure of zeaxanthin is a symmetrical structure, and the two stereoisomers of 3R, 3'S- and 3S, 3'R- are actually the same. Therefore, there are actually only three stereoisomers of zeaxanthin, of which 3R, 3'S-zeaxanthin and 3S, 3'R-zeaxanthin are called meso-zeaxanthin, while naturally occurring zeaxanthin mainly Yes 3R, 3'R-zeaxanthin ^[1]

Zeaxanthin is a typical oil-soluble chloroplast pigment. In nature,

Zeaxanthin is a carotenoid, and the products of carotenoid biosynthesis are all trans-structures, so lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin produced in fruits and vegetables are all trans-structures. Carotenoid biosynthesis begins with the synthesis of the terpenoid precursors isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) and dimethyl propylene pyrophosphate (DMAPP), and then IPP is converted to geranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP), GGPP The first carotenoid octahydrolycopene is produced through dimerization, and then a series of dehydrogenation is used to produce hexahydrolycopene, -carotene, and streptavidin, and finally lycopene is synthesized. Since then, carotenoids such as -carotene, -carotene, cryptoxanthin, lutein, and zeaxanthin have been produced with a series of cyclization, hydroxylation, and epoxidation ^[2]

In the human body, zeaxanthin is a strong antioxidant. It can also protect the body's tissue cells by quenching the singlet oxygen, eliminating free radicals and other antioxidant behaviors, thereby protecting the biological system from some excessive oxidation reactions. Potentially harmful effects ^[5]

Food preservative

Zeaxanthin has strong antioxidant properties. Compared with commonly used synthetic antioxidants (BHT), the antioxidant capacity of zeaxanthin is stronger than that of BHT during the initial period of oxidation. Zeaxanthin can prevent the oxidation of lipids and vitamins in food, keep the nutrients and flavor of food from being damaged by oxidation, and prolong the preservation period of food. Therefore, zeaxanthin is an ideal natural food preservative. Zeaxanthin is often used in solid food for production.

Natural colorant

The application of safe and non-toxic natural food coloring instead of synthetic food coloring is a trend of industrial development. Zeaxanthin itself is a normal ingredient in food. One oxygen-containing group on two six-membered carbon rings in the zeaxanthin molecule makes it have greater stability and strong coloring ability; Nutrition fortification or certain pharmacological effects, and has a positive effect on regulating human metabolism, in line with the development direction of natural food additives "natural", "nutrition" and "multifunctional".

Zeaxanthin is approved as a food colorant by many countries in Europe, America and other countries due to its strong coloring ability.

New drink

Zeaxanthin is widely present in fruits, vegetables, and flowers. As one of the main components of carotenoids, it has the effects of preventing AMD, cataracts, and cardiovascular diseases. Zeaxanthin is a health food additive. Zeaxanthin has been approved by the US FDA as a new nutritional additive for use in foods, and its amount is generally not more than 5%. Although the development of health products using zeaxanthin as the main functional ingredient is not mature enough, zeaxanthin has abundant natural sources, and the development and utilization of zeaxanthin has broad prospects.

Breeding feed

Compared with other carotenoids, zeaxanthin can be uniformly deposited in the yolk of poultry meat and eggs, so it can enhance the pigmentation of poultry and fish. feed

Medium and high doses of lutein add yellow-green color to the yolk of poultry meat and eggs, and zeaxanthin-rich corn as feed can make poultry meat yellow-red in color and can be well deposited in It is colored in the meat of poultry.

Zeaxanthin is used as a feed additive, which can effectively improve animal nutrition, egg yolk, poultry meat, and skin color. In meat and poultry, zeaxanthin is deposited in claws, beaks, and subcutaneous fat to color it and improve carcass quality of poultry. In egg-laying poultry, zeaxanthin is deposited in the yolk to make it yellow, which improves the quality of the egg and increases its nutritional value.

In addition, zeaxanthin can be used as a protective agent for light-sensitive cells due to its photoprotective ability. Zeaxanthin also protects the skin, delays aging, and reduces the formation of lipofuscin, which makes zeaxanthin shine in the cosmetics field. Makes its debut in the cosmetics field.