A process for producing a preparation in powder form containing at least one carotenoid. The process contains the following steps: i) suspending one or more carotenoids a) in an aqueous molecular dispersed or colloidal solution of at least one modified starch b) and sucrose c), ii) comminuting the suspended particles, and iii) subsequently converting the suspension optionally in the presence of a coating material into a dry powder;
where the suspension contains in process step ii), based on the dry matter of the aqueous suspension, from 1 to 25% by weight of at least one carotenoid, and the ratio of carotenoid a) to sucrose c) is from 1:2 to 1:80 by weight.

A process for producing a preparation in powder form containing at least one carotenoid. The process contains the following steps: i) suspending one or more carotenoids a) in an aqueous molecular dispersed or colloidal solution of at least one modified starch b) and sucrose c), ii) comminuting the suspended particles, and iii) subsequently converting the suspension optionally in the presence of a coating material into a dry powder;
where the suspension contains in process step ii), based on the dry matter of the aqueous suspension, from 1 to 25% by weight of at least one carotenoid, and the ratio of carotenoid a) to sucrose c) is from 1:2 to 1:80 by weight.

The invention describes a process for making astacene of formula 1, the exocyclic double bonds thereof having either an E configuration or an E- and/or Z-configuration, wherein astaxanthin of the general formula 2 having asymmetric centers 3 and 3, each of which respectively having an (S)- or (R)-conformation and the exocyclic double bonds of said astaxanthin 2 having either an E- or E- and/or Z configuration, is oxidized in the presence of at least one tertiary alcoholate.

The invention describes a process for making astacene of formula 1, the exocyclic double bonds thereof having either an E configuration or an E- and/or Z-configuration, wherein astaxanthin of the general formula 2 having asymmetric centers 3 and 3, each of which respectively having an (S)- or (R)-conformation and the exocyclic double bonds of said astaxanthin 2 having either an E- or E- and/or Z configuration, is oxidized in the presence of at least one tertiary alcoholate.

The present invention relates to novel processes for isolation of capsanthin and several other carotenoids from paprika oleoresin that is a concentrated extract of paprika fruit (Capsicum annuum). In another aspect, the present invention relates to the use of mild non-aqueous and aqueous saponification processes for isolation of high purity capsanthin and other carotenoids from paprika oleoresin at temperature between about 20 to 50? C. In another aspect, the present invention relates to saponification processes resulting in a crystalline mixture of capsanthin, ?-carotene, ?-cryptoxanthin, and zeaxanthin that can be separated by solvent extraction and crystallization to provide high purity capsanthin, as well as other carotenoids.

The present invention relates to novel processes for isolation of capsanthin and several other carotenoids from paprika oleoresin that is a concentrated extract of paprika fruit (Capsicum annuum). In another aspect, the present invention relates to the use of mild non-aqueous and aqueous saponification processes for isolation of high purity capsanthin and other carotenoids from paprika oleoresin at temperature between about 20 to 50? C. In another aspect, the present invention relates to saponification processes resulting in a crystalline mixture of capsanthin, ?-carotene, ?-cryptoxanthin, and zeaxanthin that can be separated by solvent extraction and crystallization to provide high purity capsanthin, as well as other carotenoids.

A gel composition comprises hydrophilic monomers, a cross-linking agent, an initiator, and astaxanthin-modified cyclodextrin complexes. The astaxanthin-modified cyclodextrin complexes comprise astaxanthin and modified cyclodextrin. The modified cyclodextrin has a chemical structure of

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with a hollow cavity, wherein R represents a chemical group having carbon-carbon double bond. The astaxanthin is embedded in the hollow cavity. The disclosure also provides a method for manufacturing a gel composition, and a method for manufacturing an ophthalmic lens using the gel composition.

Disclosed in the present invention are a composition containing lutein/lutein ester and applications thereof. Components of the composition containing lutein/lutein ester comprise lutein/lutein ester, -carotene and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The weight ratio of lutein/lutein ester to -carotene is 1:0.1-100. In the present invention, by cooperatively using lutein/lutein ester and -carotene and using auxiliary natural healthy ingredients, the dosage form of an orally disintegrating tablet is prepared. The orally disintegrating tablet is absorbed through the oral cavity, has fast effectiveness and small first-pass effect, reduces damage of gastric acid to lutein/lutein ester, has high bioavailability, and has the characteristics of nutritional and health-care effects, good mouthfeel and fast absorption. By eating the product, visual power can be obviously enhanced, the ocular blood flow is increased, and eye muscle fatigue is alleviated, and accordingly the morbidities of cataract, senile niacula lutea retinae lesion and adolescent myopia are reduced.

Disclosed in the present invention are a composition containing lutein/lutein ester and applications thereof. Components of the composition containing lutein/lutein ester comprise lutein/lutein ester, -carotene and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The weight ratio of lutein/lutein ester to -carotene is 1:0.1-100. In the present invention, by cooperatively using lutein/lutein ester and -carotene and using auxiliary natural healthy ingredients, the dosage form of an orally disintegrating tablet is prepared. The orally disintegrating tablet is absorbed through the oral cavity, has fast effectiveness and small first-pass effect, reduces damage of gastric acid to lutein/lutein ester, has high bioavailability, and has the characteristics of nutritional and health-care effects, good mouthfeel and fast absorption. By eating the product, visual power can be obviously enhanced, the ocular blood flow is increased, and eye muscle fatigue is alleviated, and accordingly the morbidities of cataract, senile niacula lutea retinae lesion and adolescent myopia are reduced.

Disclosed herein are active agents, compositions containing them, unit dosage forms containing them, and methods of their use, e.g., for treating a metabolic disorder or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or for modulating a metabolic marker or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease marker.