Functional properties of zeaxanthin

In the human body, zeaxanthin is a strong antioxidant, and it can also protect the body's tissue cells by quenching one line of oxygen and scavenging free radicals, so as to protect the biological system from some potential harmful effects caused by excessive oxidation reactions. Zeaxanthin is one of two carotenes in the lens. It has 11 conjugated double bonds and hydroxyl groups in the tail group. This structure makes it have strong antioxidant capacity. As a strong antioxidant, it can quench the triple state of singlet oxygen and photosensitizer, eliminate the damage of oxygen radicals, prevent membrane lipid peroxidation, reduce the formation of lipofuscin, and then prevent the formation of cataracts. The results showed that the risk of cataracts in populations with high intakes of lutein and zeaxanthin was 19% - 22% lower than those with low intakes. Prevention of senile macular disease

If the macular area does not have normal function, a person's basic visual function will be damaged gradually, even the risk of blindness. In the center of the macular region, the incident light is strongest and the most active oxygen is produced. A large number of epidemiological studies have also shown that zeaxanthin has the effect of absorbing the most damaging blue light in the retina, thereby protecting cone cells in the central concave retina. Many studies have shown that increasing the amount of corn yellow substance in a short time can increase the pigment of the macula, thereby increasing the ability of the macular area to resist harmful substances and light beam damage, and prevent and slow down aging macular degeneration.

In addition, zeaxanthin itself has high nutritional value. After eating, it can be converted into vitamin A with biological activity in the human liver, which has a special effect on promoting human growth and development, protecting vision and epithelial cells, enhancing disease resistance and prolonging life. Zeaxanthin is primarily found in the yellow epidermis of corn, and by-products of corn processing that can be used to produce zeaxanthin include yellow corn powder, DDGS, and corn husks. Extraction and preparation methods include organic solvent extraction, ultrasonic extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, surfactant method, enzyme extraction, supercritical fluid extraction and membrane-assisted separation and extraction technology.