FoodTCM

lutein ester

Name(s)	lutein ester
Scientific name(s)
Formula	C40H56O2
Molecular mass	568.8714
IUPAC name	Not available
INCHI	InChI=1S/C40H56O2/c1-29(17-13-19-31(3)21-23-37-33(5)25-35(41)27-39(37,7)8)15-11-12-16-30(2)18-14-20-32(4)22-24-38-34(6)26-36(42)28-40(38,9)10/h11-25,35-37,41-42H,26-28H2,1-10H3/b12-11+,17-13+,18-14+,23-21+,24-22+,29-15+,30-16+,31-19+,32-20+/t35?,36-,37+/m1/s1
SMILE	O[C@@H]1CC(C)=C(\C=C\C(\C)=C\C=C\C(\C)=C\C=C\C=C(/C)\C=C\C=C(/C)\C=C\[C@H]2C(C)=CC(O)CC2(C)C)C(C)(C)C1
CAS ID	127-40-2
PubChem ID	Not available
DrugBank ID	Not available
CHEBI ID	Not available

Description	Lutein, also known as all-trans-lutein or 3,3'-dihydroxy-alpha-carotene, is a member of the class of compounds known as xanthophylls. Xanthophylls are carotenoids containing an oxygenated carotene backbone. Carotenes are characterized by the presence of two end-groups (mostly cyclohexene rings, but also cyclopentene rings or acyclic groups) linked by a long branched alkyl chain. Carotenes belonging form a subgroup of the carotenoids family. Xanthophylls arise by oxygenation of the carotene backbone. Lutein is practically insoluble (in water) and an extremely weak acidic compound (based on its pKa). Lutein can be found in dandelion and ginkgo nuts, which makes lutein a potential biomarker for the consumption of these food products. Lutein can be found primarily in blood, as well as throughout most human tissues. Lutein exists in all eukaryotes, ranging from yeast to humans. Lutein is isomeric with zeaxanthin, differing only in the placement of one double bond. Lutein and zeaxanthin can be interconverted in the body through an intermediate called meso-zeaxanthin. The principal natural stereoisomer of lutein is (3R,3′R,6′R)-beta,epsilon-carotene-3,3′-diol. Lutein is a lipophilic molecule and is generally insoluble in water. The presence of the long chromophore of conjugated double bonds (polyene chain) provides the distinctive light-absorbing properties. The polyene chain is susceptible to oxidative degradation by light or heat and is chemically unstable in acids .

Description

Lutein, also known as all-trans-lutein or 3,3'-dihydroxy-alpha-carotene, is a member of the class of compounds known as xanthophylls. Xanthophylls are carotenoids containing an oxygenated carotene backbone. Carotenes are characterized by the presence of two end-groups (mostly cyclohexene rings, but also cyclopentene rings or acyclic groups) linked by a long branched alkyl chain. Carotenes belonging form a subgroup of the carotenoids family. Xanthophylls arise by oxygenation of the carotene backbone. Lutein is practically insoluble (in water) and an extremely weak acidic compound (based on its pKa). Lutein can be found in dandelion and ginkgo nuts, which makes lutein a potential biomarker for the consumption of these food products. Lutein can be found primarily in blood, as well as throughout most human tissues. Lutein exists in all eukaryotes, ranging from yeast to humans. Lutein is isomeric with zeaxanthin, differing only in the placement of one double bond. Lutein and zeaxanthin can be interconverted in the body through an intermediate called meso-zeaxanthin. The principal natural stereoisomer of lutein is (3R,3′R,6′R)-beta,epsilon-carotene-3,3′-diol. Lutein is a lipophilic molecule and is generally insoluble in water. The presence of the long chromophore of conjugated double bonds (polyene chain) provides the distinctive light-absorbing properties. The polyene chain is susceptible to oxidative degradation by light or heat and is chemically unstable in acids .