Patent ID: 7115786
Filing Date: 2006-10-03
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
1. A process for converting (a) (3R,3′R,6′R)-lutein (85% total carotenoids) or (b) purified lutein (97% total carotenoids) containing 5–7% (3R,3′R)-zeaxanthin or mixtures of (a) and (b) to a mixture of anhydroluteins I, II, and III at elevated temperature, comprising reacting (3R,3′R,6′R)-lutein in an alcohol or mixture of alcohols with a catalytic amount of an aqueous mineral acid or a strong organic acid at an elevated temperature of about 45° C. to about 100° C. to give a mixture of anhydroluteins comprising anhydrolutein III as the major product, anhydroluteins I and II as the minor products, and the recovered (3R,3′R)-zeaxanthin.