Lutein Oil
Lutein Oil is a suspension of free (non-esterified) lutein in refined vegetable oil, typically sold at 5, 10, 15, or 20 percent total carotenoid content. It is produced by saponifying marigold oleoresin to release free lutein and re-dispersing the resulting crystalline material in a food-grade carrier oil.
The format is the standard raw material for softgel capsule manufacturing, where the oil suspension fills directly into gelatin or non-animal shells without further reformulation.
We source bulk Lutein Oil from top China manufacturers for our partners. The manufacturer is in Shandong. 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 orange to red viscous oil suspension |
| Total Carotenoids (HPLC) | 5.0-20.0% by declared grade, ± 1.0% of label |
| Lutein, free form (HPLC) | ≥ 80% of total carotenoids |
| Zeaxanthin, free form (HPLC) | ≥ 4% of total carotenoids (typical lutein to zeaxanthin 5:1) |
| Carrier Oil | Refined sunflower, safflower or medium-chain triglyceride oil |
| Peroxide Value | ≤ 5.0 meq/kg |
| Acid Value | ≤ 2.0 mg KOH/g |
| Moisture | ≤ 0.5% |
| Residual Solvent (hexane) | ≤ 25 mg/kg |
| Heavy Metals (as Pb) | ≤ 1 mg/kg |
| Lead | ≤ 0.5 mg/kg |
| Arsenic | ≤ 0.5 mg/kg |
| Total Plate Count | ≤ 1000 CFU/g |
| Yeast and Mould | ≤ 100 CFU/g |
| Salmonella | Negative/25g |
Common Markets Grades
Lutein Oil is graded by total carotenoid content, with the major commercial grades at 5 percent, 10 percent, 15 percent, and 20 percent.
Most grades are made in sunflower oil, safflower oil, or medium-chain triglyceride carriers, with the choice driven by oxidative stability, allergen profile, and target market.
Standard specifications include controls on free lutein versus zeaxanthin ratio, with the typical 5:1 ratio reflecting the native marigold profile after saponification.
An organic-certified grade is produced using organic marigold input and organic carrier oil, serving the natural-channel softgel and gummy markets.
Applications
- Eye-health softgel capsules for daily macular pigment support
- AREDS-style combination supplements with zeaxanthin and antioxidants
- Adult multivitamins and active-aging blends with lutein coverage
- Gummies and pectin-based chewables using oil-phase incorporation
- Infant formula and follow-on milk for visual development support
- Beauty-from-within nutricosmetic capsules
- Cognitive support formulas with macular carotenoid positioning
- Functional dairy and plant-based milks via emulsion formats
- Veterinary softgels for senior pets with eye-health positioning
- Pediatric drops in oil-based vitamin combinations
- Animal feed and aquaculture pigmentation premixes
Brands Using Lutein Oil
Widely-distributed consumer products that list Lutein Oil on the ingredient label.
- Nordic NaturalsOmega Vision (Omega-3 + FloraGLO Lutein + Zeaxanthin Softgels) ↗Nordic Naturals Omega Vision softgels deliver concentrated omega-3 fish oil with 20 mg lutein (as FloraGLO lutein oil suspension extracted from marigold) and 4 mg zeaxanthin per serving for eye and macular health.Label verified 2026-05-24
- Jarrow FormulasLutein 20 mg Softgels ↗Lutein in sunflower-oil softgel; Floraglo lutein source.Label verified 2026-05-24
- SolgarLutein 20 mg Softgels (FloraGLO) ↗Solgar Lutein 20 mg softgels use FloraGLO lutein crystals dispersed in a safflower-oil softgel base (a classic lutein-in-oil delivery system) for eye-health and vision support.Label verified 2026-05-24
- MacuHealthMacuHealth Triple Carotenoid Formula Softgels ↗MacuHealth softgels deliver lutein (10 mg) in an oil-based softgel with meso-zeaxanthin (10 mg) and zeaxanthin (2 mg) in a patented 10:10:2 ratio that replenishes macular pigment.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 Oil
Top Lutein Oil manufacturers in China.
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 Oil
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 Oil 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 Oil 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
Free lutein from Tagetes erecta is permitted as a dietary ingredient in the United States, with self-affirmed GRAS conclusions in place from multiple suppliers for use in conventional foods.
In the European Union, lutein from Tagetes erecta is authorised for use in food supplements and selected fortified food categories within defined intake limits.
JECFA has assessed lutein from Tagetes erecta and concluded that it is acceptable for use as a food colour and ingredient.
Kosher, Halal, and vegetarian certifications are routinely available depending on the carrier oil and processing aids used in the saponification step.
Manufacturing Process
Production begins with marigold oleoresin, extracted from dried Tagetes erecta flower meal using hexane or supercritical carbon dioxide. The oleoresin contains lutein predominantly as the dipalmitate and other long-chain esters.
The oleoresin is saponified with potassium or sodium hydroxide in an alcoholic solvent system to hydrolyse the fatty acid esters and release free lutein. The reaction mixture is neutralised, washed, and the free lutein is recovered by crystallisation from polar solvents.
The crystalline free lutein is then dispersed into the chosen carrier oil under controlled temperature and shear, with added antioxidants such as mixed tocopherols and ascorbyl palmitate to stabilise the suspension.
The finished oil is filtered, deaerated, and packaged under nitrogen in light-protected containers to maintain pigment stability over the labelled shelf life.
