Health properties lutein

The recognition of the importance of MP in maintaining the health of the retina has led to the development of a number of methods for determining its concentration in situ. These methods, necessarily noninvasive, are routinely employed in dietary supplementation studies with lutein or zeaxanthin to monitor the uptake of the carotenoids into the retina. Every method exploits the optical properties of lutein and zeaxanthin, specifically their absorbance at visible wavelengths. The detection of a light signal, modified by the carotenoids, is accomplished either by the retinal photoreceptors themselves (psychophysical methods) or by a physical detector such as a photomultiplier,... 

There are hundreds, possibly thousands, of chemical constituents in plants that may have health-promoting properties. Increasingly, food and drinks companies are looking to exploit the association between phytochemicals and reduced risks of developing cancer or cardiovascular disease. Phytochemicals that are currently attracting the most attention include the antioxidant vitamins C, E and P-carotene polyphenols sterols carotenoids (particularly lycopene and lutein) and the flavonoids (particularly phytoestrogens) [see Chapters 2, 3 and 4]. 

The new trend in cereal breeding programs is to select genotypes with special uses and with better nutraceutical properties. These new genotypes are rich in carotenes (P-carotenes, lutein, zeaxanthin), phytosterols, phenolics, anthocyanins, tannins, and other antioxidants. These value-added grains will gradually gain market because of their proven health benefits. 

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