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Lutein

Lutein
Luteine - Lutein.svg
Space-filling model of lutein
Names
IUPAC name
β,ε-carotene-3,3'-diol
Other names
Luteine; trans-lutein; 4-​[18-​(4-​Hydroxy-​2,6,6-​trimethyl-​1-​cyclohexenyl)-​3,7,12,16-​tetramethyloctadeca-​1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17-​nonaenyl]-​3,5,5-​trimethyl-​cyclohex-​2-​en-​1-​ol
Identifiers
127-40-2 YesY
3D model (Jmol) Interactive image
ChEBI CHEBI:28838 YesY
ChEMBL ChEMBL173929 YesY
ChemSpider 4444655 YesY
ECHA InfoCard 100.004.401
E number E161b (colours)
PubChem 5281243
UNII X72A60C9MT YesY
Properties
C40H56O2
Molar mass 568.871 g/mol
Appearance Red-orange crystalline solid
Melting point 190 °C (374 °F; 463 K)
Insoluble
Solubility in fats Soluble
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
YesY  (what is YesYN ?)
Infobox references

Lutein (/ˈlt.n/ or /ˈltn/; from Latin luteus meaning "yellow") is a xanthophyll and one of 600 known naturally occurring carotenoids. Lutein is synthesized only by plants and like other xanthophylls is found in high quantities in green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale and yellow carrots. In green plants, xanthophylls act to modulate light energy and serve as agents to deal with triplet chlorophyll (an excited form of chlorophyll), which is overproduced at very high light levels, during photosynthesis. See xanthophyll cycle for this topic.

Lutein is obtained by animals directly or indirectly, from plants. Lutein is apparently employed by animals as an antioxidant and for blue light absorption. Lutein is found in egg yolks and animal fats. In addition to coloring yolks, lutein causes the yellow color of chicken skin and fat, and is used in chicken feed for this purpose. The human retina accumulates lutein and zeaxanthin. The latter predominates at the macula lutea while lutein predominates elsewhere in the retina. There, it may serve as a photoprotectant for the retina from the damaging effects of free radicals produced by blue light. Lutein is isomeric with zeaxanthin, differing only in the placement of one double bond.


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Wikipedia

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