Provided is a method for preparing water-soluble astaxanthin complex. The method includes mixing a raw material containing astaxanthin with a solution containing an organic acid and performing cell disruption and leaching and can enable natural astaxanthin to interact with components such as proteins, nucleic acids, or polysaccharides that naturally exist in the raw material, so as to directly prepare water-soluble astaxanthin complex without modifying astaxanthin. The method requires a natural source of astaxanthin, has low equipment requirements and production costs, is simple to operate, green and safe with no organic solvent residues, and easy to industrialize.

The representative figure is FIG. 1.

Provided is a method for preparing water-soluble astaxanthin complex. The method includes mixing a raw material containing astaxanthin with a solution containing an organic acid and performing cell disruption and leaching and can enable natural astaxanthin to interact with components such as proteins, nucleic acids, or polysaccharides that naturally exist in the raw material, so as to directly prepare water-soluble astaxanthin complex without modifying astaxanthin. The method requires a natural source of astaxanthin, has low equipment requirements and production costs, is simple to operate, green and safe with no organic solvent residues, and easy to industrialize.

The representative figure is FIG. 1.

The present invention relates to a process for converting commercially available lutein and/or lutein esters from extracts of marigold flower petals to (3R)-β-cryptoxanthin (major) and (3R,6′R)-α-cryptoxanthin (minor) in ratios ranging from 95:5 to 98:2 in a one-pot reaction at room temperature. Because the entire process can be carried out by employing safe and environmentally friendly food-grade reagents, the resulting mixture of these carotenoids is suitable for human consumption as a dietary supplement.

The present invention relates to a process for converting commercially available lutein and/or lutein esters from extracts of marigold flower petals to (3R)-β-cryptoxanthin (major) and (3R,6′R)-α-cryptoxanthin (minor) in ratios ranging from 95:5 to 98:2 in a one-pot reaction at room temperature. Because the entire process can be carried out by employing safe and environmentally friendly food-grade reagents, the resulting mixture of these carotenoids is suitable for human consumption as a dietary supplement.

The invention relates to a method for preparing a cyclic α-ketoalcohol, particularly a 6-hydroxycyclohexenone from a cyclic α-ketoenol, particularly a 6-hydroxycyclohexadienone, using a reducing agent. This reducing agent is selected from hydrogen gas; a secondary alcohol, formic acid and the salts of formic acid or a mixture of at least two representatives of these compound classes. The invention further comprises the use of an α-ketoenol, in particular a 6-hydroxycyclohexadienone, as intermediate for preparing astaxanthin.

The invention relates to a method for preparing a cyclic α-ketoalcohol, particularly a 6-hydroxycyclohexenone from a cyclic α-ketoenol, particularly a 6-hydroxycyclohexadienone, using a reducing agent. This reducing agent is selected from hydrogen gas; a secondary alcohol, formic acid and the salts of formic acid or a mixture of at least two representatives of these compound classes. The invention further comprises the use of an α-ketoenol, in particular a 6-hydroxycyclohexadienone, as intermediate for preparing astaxanthin.

The present invention provides beta-cryptoxanthin crystals from plant source and a process for its preparation. The present invention particularly relates to a process for the preparation of high purity beta-cryptoxanthin crystals comprising at least about 10% by weight total xanthophylls, of which at least about 75% by weight is trans-beta-cryptoxanthin and the remaining including beta-carotene, and trace amounts of trans-capsanthin and other carotenoids derived from the plant source, including capsicum fruits. The production of beta-cryptoxanthin crystals with high content of trans-beta-cryptoxanthin makes it ideal and suitable for use as a provitamin A source material and also has potential effects on improving bone health and inhibiting bone resorption.

The present invention provides beta-cryptoxanthin crystals from plant source and a process for its preparation. The present invention particularly relates to a process for the preparation of high purity beta-cryptoxanthin crystals comprising at least about 10% by weight total xanthophylls, of which at least about 75% by weight is trans-beta-cryptoxanthin and the remaining including beta-carotene, and trace amounts of trans-capsanthin and other carotenoids derived from the plant source, including capsicum fruits. The production of beta-cryptoxanthin crystals with high content of trans-beta-cryptoxanthin makes it ideal and suitable for use as a provitamin A source material and also has potential effects on improving bone health and inhibiting bone resorption.

A preparation in the form of a powder containing: (a) at least one carotenoid, (b) at least one modified starch, and (c) sucrose; wherein the at least one carotenoid is present in the powder in an amount of 1 to 25% by weight, based on the weight of the powder; and wherein the at least one carotenoid and the sucrose are present in the powder in a ratio by weight of 1:2 to 1:80.

A preparation in the form of a powder containing: (a) at least one carotenoid, (b) at least one modified starch, and (c) sucrose; wherein the at least one carotenoid is present in the powder in an amount of 1 to 25% by weight, based on the weight of the powder; and wherein the at least one carotenoid and the sucrose are present in the powder in a ratio by weight of 1:2 to 1:80.