Isolation of Crystalline Lutein from Spinach Leaves

Up to date, any precise reports on crystalline lutein, which was comprised at about 20% in carotenoids of green leaves and at about 40% in these xanthophylls, have not been found. In previous report, the authors showed that the glycocarotenoids containing galactose were existent in spinach leaves, and in the processes of these carotenoids purification lutein was found to be crystallized easily from cold acetone in considerably good yields. This crystalline lutein had mp. 174-176℃, and E1cm 1% of 2344 at 446 nm. Furthermore, visible absorption spectrum, IR-spectrum, NMR-spectrum and Mass spectrum were also estimated for the identification of it.