“Eco‐Friendly” Epimerization of Lutein to 3′‐Epilutein Under Solvent‐Free Mechanochemical Conditions by Using a Strongly Acidic Cation‐Exchange Resin

Abstract

Carotenoids represent a wide group of biologically active molecules found in nature with important applications in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. For example, lutein and its isomers meso‐ and trans‐zeaxanthin are globally the best‐selling carotenoids in terms of market value owing to their benefits to eye health. Here, the development of a solvent‐free mechanochemical epimerization protocol to convert naturally occurring lutein into 3′‐epilutein‐enriched mixtures (up to dr 37:63 lutein/3′‐epilutein) by using a strongly acidic cation‐exchange resin as an “eco‐friendly” catalyst is reported.