Lutein Ester
Lutein Ester is the diester form of the macular carotenoid lutein, most commonly the dipalmitate, in which the two hydroxyl groups of lutein are esterified with palmitic acid. The molecule occurs naturally in marigold petals, where lutein exists predominantly in esterified rather than free form.
The material is a dark orange to deep red waxy solid or oleoresin, oil-soluble and insoluble in water. It delivers a higher mass loading of total carotenoid pigment per kilogram of finished raw material than equivalent free-lutein oil products.
We source bulk Lutein Ester from top China manufacturers for our partners, working with several of them. The manufacturers are in Shandong, Hubei and Yunnan. A smaller requirement can ship in a combined container with other ingredients.
Please send the grade you need, the volume and your destination port, and we will come back with a solution and a price.
or call +86-21-6858 0751
- Packaging
- 20 kg fibre drum, light-shielded
- ISO 9001
- HACCP
- Halal
- Kosher
Specifications
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Dark red-orange oily paste or beadlet |
| Total Carotenoids | 20–80% (grade) |
| Free Lutein (after saponification) | 5–20% |
| Zeaxanthin | ≥5% |
| Moisture | ≤0.5% |
| Heavy Metals (as Pb) | ≤2 mg/kg |
| Arsenic | ≤1 mg/kg |
| Residual Solvents | Complies |
| Total Plate Count | ≤1,000 cfu/g |
| Salmonella | Absent in 25g |
| Shelf Life | 24 months |
Common Markets Grades
Lutein Ester is graded by total carotenoid content, typically as 20, 40, 50, 70, or 80 percent oleoresin in refined vegetable oil. Higher concentrations exist as purified dipalmitate crystalline material.
Beadlet grades for tablet and capsule applications are graded at 5, 10, and 20 percent total carotenoids, with starch or modified starch matrices and stabilising antioxidants.
Cold-water-dispersible (CWS) beadlets for beverage applications exist at 1 and 5 percent total carotenoids, using emulsifier systems based on gum acacia or modified food starch.
The ester form is the preferred grade for finished products that report lutein content on a free-equivalent basis after expected gastrointestinal hydrolysis.
Applications
- Eye-health dietary supplements positioned for macular and retinal support
- Combination eye-health formulas with zeaxanthin, astaxanthin, and bilberry
- Soft-gel and capsule supplements for daily lutein dosing
- Children's chewable vitamins and gummies for early eye-health support
- Adult multivitamin formulations with macular carotenoid coverage
- Functional foods and beverages for active-aging consumer segments
- Nutricosmetic beauty-from-within capsules for skin and eye support
- Infant formula and follow-on milk for visual development support
- Animal feed for laying hens to enrich yolk pigmentation and egg lutein content
- Pet food and treats for retinal and skin-health positioning
- Colour and nutrient fortification of bakery and dairy products
Brands Using Lutein Ester
Widely-distributed consumer products that list Lutein Ester on the ingredient label.
- Bausch + Lomb PreserVisionAREDS Lutein Formula Soft Gels ↗PreserVision AREDS Lutein Formula soft gels deliver lutein (from marigold flower extract) replacing beta-carotene in the original AREDS antioxidant/zinc formula for macular health.Label verified 2026-05-24
- Bausch + Lomb PreserVisionAREDS 2 Formula Soft Gels ↗PreserVision AREDS 2 soft gels contain lutein and zeaxanthin (from marigold flower) with vitamins C, E, zinc and copper, formulated to the National Eye Institute AREDS 2 study recommendation.Label verified 2026-05-24
- Bausch + Lomb OcuviteOcuvite Adult 50+ MiniGels ↗Ocuvite Adult 50+ once-daily MiniGel features lutein and zeaxanthin (from marigold flower extract) plus omega-3s, zinc, copper and vitamins C, D and E for adults over 50.Label verified 2026-05-24
Brand names, product names and logos are the property of their owners. They appear here as published evidence that the ingredient is used, taken from the brand's own label or website. Their appearance is not an endorsement, and it does not mean the brand buys from us or from any manufacturer listed on this site.
China Manufacturers of Lutein Ester
Top Lutein Ester manufacturers in China.
Qingdao Borong Biotechnology Co., Ltd.10 ingredients in the directory
Shandong Tianyin Biotechnology Co., Ltd.3 ingredients in the directory
WuHan Stars Modern Bio-engineering Co., Ltd.3 ingredients in the directory- Yunnan Borui Bio-tech. Co., Ltd.11 ingredients in the directory
Company names and logos are the property of the manufacturers themselves. They are listed here because our own directory records them as producing this ingredient. A listing is not an endorsement by them, and we do not represent them or speak on their behalf.
How We Help Source Lutein Ester
Direct Factory Sourcing
We run the whole process: selecting the manufacturer from the top Chinese food ingredient producers, negotiating the price, verifying quality, and coordinating the logistics. You deal with us instead of with several factories at once.
Original Packaging and Documents from the Manufacturer
The manufacturer sends your Lutein Ester out of its own factory in the original packing, through to your destination port. The COA, COO, MSDS, TDS and any certifications reach you from the manufacturer as well.
Free Samples and Lead Time
We send 100 to 500 g free for your own laboratory to test and you cover only the courier, usually within 2 to 3 working days. ETD is usually within 7 to 15 days once the order is confirmed, and we check that date against the factory's own manufacturing schedule before we give it to you.
Combined Shipment
We can load Lutein Ester together with other ingredients such as Arachidonic Acid, Coenzyme Q10 and Chondroitin Sulphate Sodium into one 20' FCL. If your quantity is small, we can also ship LCL.
Regulatory Status
Lutein ester from Tagetes erecta is permitted as a dietary ingredient in the United States and holds self-affirmed GRAS status for use in conventional foods within defined use levels.
In the European Union, lutein from Tagetes erecta is permitted in food supplements and selected food categories under the relevant fortification framework. The ester form is recognised as the natural occurring form and is captured within the same authorisations as the free lutein.
JECFA has evaluated lutein from Tagetes erecta and assigned it an acceptable status as a food colour and nutrient ingredient.
Kosher and Halal certifications are routinely available, and the marigold-derived material qualifies for natural-source and vegetarian labelling claims.
Manufacturing Process
Production starts with the cultivation and harvest of marigold flowers, predominantly Tagetes erecta, grown commercially in India, Mexico, China, and parts of South America. The flowers are dried, pelletized, and stored for downstream processing.
Lutein-rich oleoresin is extracted from the pellets using hexane or supercritical carbon dioxide. The extract is concentrated under vacuum and saponified or processed further depending on the target grade.
For the ester grade, the natural diester profile is preserved by limiting saponification and instead enriching the diester content through crystallisation and washing steps in alcoholic solvents.
Beadlets are produced by emulsifying the oleoresin with carrier matrix in hot solution, spray-drying or spray-cooling to form free-flowing beads, and surface-coating with starch to limit dust and oxidation.
