Supercritical CO2 extraction of carotenoids

There are currently more than 600 carotenoids known, which can be divided into two categories, namely lutein containing oxygen atoms in the molecule, and carotenoids containing only carbon and hydrogen without oxygen atoms.

Carotenoids generally absorb blue light. There are two key roles in plants and algae: absorbing light energy for photosynthesis; protecting chlorophyll from photooxidation damage.

For the human body, 4 types of carotene, β-carotene, α-carotene, γ-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin (Cryptoxanthin), have vitamin A activity (that is, they can be converted into Retinaldehyde). These 4 and other carotenoids can also be used as antioxidants.

In the eyes, specific carotenoids (lutein and zeaxanthin) are obviously the parts that directly absorb harmful blue and near-ultraviolet light, protect the macula, and have the clearest vision.