Zeaxanthin

Zeaxanthin is a xanthophyll carotenoid (C₄₀H₅₆O₂, molar mass 568.87 g/mol, CAS 144-68-3) and one of the two macular pigments that accumulate in the central retina of the human eye. It is a structural isomer of lutein, differing only in the position of one double bond in the terminal ionone ring.

Pure Zeaxanthin presents as an orange-yellow crystalline powder, oil-soluble and insoluble in water. Its position in the retina filters high-energy blue light and quenches reactive oxygen species generated by photoreceptor metabolism.

We source bulk Zeaxanthin from top China manufacturers for our partners, working with several of them. The manufacturers are in Shandong and Zhejiang. For this ingredient the minimum order is 100 kg, and 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

Minimum order: 100 kg
Packaging: 190 kg steel drum or 25 kg jerrican

Function: Nutraceutical

ISO 9001
HACCP
Halal
Kosher

Specifications

Item	Specification
Appearance	Orange to reddish-orange powder, beadlet or oil suspension
Zeaxanthin (HPLC)	≥ 20.0% for the 20% grade; 5% and 10% grades ≥ declared value
Total Carotenoids (UV, 450 nm)	≥ 22.0% for the 20% grade
Lutein	≤ 5.0%
all-trans (3R,3'R) Isomer	≥ 95.0% of total zeaxanthin
Carrier and Formulation	Vegetable oil suspension, or starch beadlet with gum acacia or modified starch and stabilising antioxidants
Loss on Drying	≤ 5.0%
Particle Size	95% through 80 mesh (powder and beadlet grades)
Peroxide Value	≤ 10 meq/kg (oil suspension grades)
Residual Solvent (total)	≤ 50 mg/kg
Heavy Metals (as Pb)	≤ 10 mg/kg
Total Plate Count	≤ 1,000 cfu/g
Yeast and Mould	≤ 100 cfu/g
Salmonella	Negative/25g

Common Markets Grades

Vegetable oil suspensions of zeaxanthin run at 5, 10, and 20 percent active content, mirroring the format conventions of the broader xanthophyll category.

Beadlet grades for tablet and capsule applications carry 5 and 10 percent total carotenoids, with starch matrices and stabilising antioxidants.

Cold-water-dispersible (CWS) beadlets at 1 and 5 percent active exist for beverage and dairy applications, using emulsifier systems based on gum acacia or modified starch.

The two industrial sources, marigold and fermentation, deliver different stereoisomer profiles. Marigold-derived material is predominantly the all-trans (3R,3'R) stereoisomer, while fermentation-derived material from Flavobacterium multivorum matches the same natural configuration.

Applications

Eye-health dietary supplements paired with lutein in AREDS2-style ratios
Macular degeneration support formulas for active-aging consumers
Blue-light defense supplements for screen-intensive lifestyles
Adult multivitamin blends with macular carotenoid coverage
Children's chewable vitamins and gummies for early eye-health support
Cognitive support formulas with macular carotenoid positioning
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
Aquaculture feed for pigmentation of ornamental and food fish

Brands Using Zeaxanthin

Widely-distributed consumer products that list Zeaxanthin on the ingredient label.

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 Zeaxanthin

Top Zeaxanthin 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 Zeaxanthin

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 Zeaxanthin 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 Zeaxanthin 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

Synthetic Zeaxanthin and Zeaxanthin from Flavobacterium multivorum have been authorised as novel food ingredients in the European Union for use in food supplements within defined intake limits.

Zeaxanthin from Tagetes erecta is captured within the broader marigold lutein authorisations in the European Union, where it is naturally co-present with lutein.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has acknowledged GRAS notifications for Zeaxanthin from several sources, supporting its use in conventional foods within defined use levels.

JECFA has evaluated synthetic Zeaxanthin and assigned it acceptable status as a food colour and ingredient. Kosher and Halal certifications exist across the major commercial sources.

Manufacturing Process

Zeaxanthin Manufacturing Process

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Industrial Zeaxanthin comes from three main routes: marigold co-product, dedicated calendula or paprika cultivation, and microbial fermentation.

The marigold co-product route enriches the small zeaxanthin fraction present in Tagetes erecta oleoresin through chromatographic separation from the dominant lutein fraction. This route is cost-efficient when integrated with lutein production.

The dedicated cultivation route uses paprika (Capsicum annuum) or genetically improved marigold lines bred for higher zeaxanthin content, followed by extraction and purification analogous to the lutein process.

The fermentation route uses Flavobacterium multivorum, Paracoccus species, or engineered yeasts to produce all-trans zeaxanthin at gram-per-litre titers in stirred-tank bioreactors. Downstream recovery includes solvent extraction, saponification (where applicable), and crystallisation to dietary-supplement purity.