Definition:

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herbgreey®Marigold extract Health Benefits:

herbgreey®Marigold extract is a carotenoid compound that is extracted and purified from natural plants. It has a distinctive orange-yellow appearance and is an important nutrient that the human body cannot synthesise itself and must obtain from external sources. It is widely used in the food, health supplement, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries due to its antioxidant properties and physiological protective effects on specific organs.

Particularities of herbgreey®Marigold extract:

Product Specifications:

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Product quality standards:

● USP, GRAS, Food grade, In-house

▶Eye health

herbgreey®Marigold extract Applications:

Lutein is a key pigment in the macular region of the retina. The human body cannot synthesise it and must obtain it from external sources. It is also a core protector of eye health. Its molecular structure contains multiple conjugated double bonds, enabling lutein to absorb harmful blue light in the 400-500 nm range (e.g. blue light from electronic screens, LED lights and ultraviolet rays). This type of blue light has a high level of penetration and can directly damage retinal photoreceptor cells (rod and cone cells), leading to cell apoptosis with prolonged exposure. Research findings indicate that individuals who consume at least 6 mg of lutein and zeaxanthin daily have a 40% lower risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD). A clinical study targeting patients with early-stage AMD (with daily supplementation of 20 mg of lutein and 2 mg of zeaxanthin) found that, after 12 months, macular pigment density had increased by 20%, while the rate of vision loss had slowed by 50%.Lens opacity, or cataracts, is associated with long-term oxidative damage and UV exposure. Lutein can reach the lens via the bloodstream, where it eliminates free radicals, prevents lipid peroxidation and reduces the denaturation of lens proteins.

■ Source

The commercial production of herbgreey®Marigold extract primarily relies on high-content natural plants, with slight variations in the extraction process and application scenario depending on the raw material used. The main source is marigold (Tagetes erecta) petals, which contain the highest levels of lutein (0.1-0.4% dry weight) and are used most widely in commercial production around the world. Advantages of this include large-scale cultivation, controllable costs and mature extraction technology. Spinach, kale and other dark green vegetables contain moderate levels of lutein (approximately 0.01% to 0.03% fresh weight) as well as zeaxanthin, which is structurally similar to lutein. These natural dietary sources do not require complex industrial extraction and are suitable for daily consumption. Some species of microalgae, such as Haematococcus pluvialis and Chlorella, have a high lutein content and often coexist with other bioactive compounds, such as astaxanthin. This makes large-scale production possible through biotechnological fermentation.

herbgreey®Marigold extract is available in the following specification and contents:

☑  herbgreey®Marigold extract powder 5%/10%/20%

The primary application areas for herbgreey®Marigold extract are food supplements and health foods, with the core objective of supplementing dietary deficiencies in lutein in order to meet the body's nutritional needs, particularly among specific populations. Dietary supplements are available in various forms, including capsules, tablets, softgels and powders, as well as drops, which are suitable for children or individuals with swallowing difficulties. Lutein softgels are often blended with zeaxanthin at a ratio of 5:1 or 10:1 to mimic their natural ratio in the human retina and work synergistically. Some products also contain additional nutrients, such as vitamins A and C and zinc, to support eye health. Health supplements are typically food products that offer specific health benefits. Examples include chewable tablets, effervescent tablets, solid beverages and pressed candies. These products must obtain health supplement certification from national or regional authorities. Adding herbgreey®Marigold extract as a functional ingredient to ordinary foods increases their nutritional value, meeting consumers' demand for 'eating while supplementing'. While no health food certification is required, the product must comply with food additive or nutritional supplement regulations and standards.

herbgreey®Marigold extract is widely used in skincare products due to its antioxidant and photoprotective properties. It is particularly effective in combating UV damage and improving issues related to skin photoaging. It is also an important natural colourant and nutritional supplement, primarily used in poultry, livestock and aquaculture to replace synthetic dyes while enhancing the nutritional value of animal products. It can also be used to colour pet food naturally, such as cat and dog food, and can supplement the carotenoids needed to support eye health, particularly in older pets.

■ Active ingredients

Lutein is the primary active component in the extract and is central to its physiological functions. It belongs to the “oxygenated carotenoids” (xanthophylls) subfamily of the carotenoid family and is chemically known as “3,3'-dihydroxy-β,α-carotene”. Its molecular structure contains two hydroxyl groups (-OH) and multiple conjugated double bonds, which are key to its antioxidant properties and light-filtering capabilities: conjugated double bonds absorb blue light, while hydroxyl groups enhance affinity with biological membranes. Unlike β-carotene (a vitamin A precursor), lutein does not have vitamin A activity; however, it has a stronger retention capacity in light-sensitive tissues, such as the eyes and skin.

Lutein is an isomer of zeaxanthin, differing only in the position of the double bond, and a key component naturally present in Marigold extracts. Together, lutein and zeaxanthin are often referred to as 'macular pigments', and they have complementary functions that cannot be replaced. In natural plants, lutein and zeaxanthin typically coexist. In marigold extracts, zeaxanthin content accounts for 10-20% of lutein. In dark green vegetables such as spinach and kale, the ratio is close to 1:1. In microalgae extracts, the zeaxanthin content can be higher, reaching up to 30% in some species of algae. Some commercial products adjust the ratio of lutein to zeaxanthin through blending (e.g. 5:1 or 10:1) to match the natural ratio in the macular region of the retina (approximately 10:1), thereby enhancing the protective effect on the eyes.

Marigold extracts, especially those derived from natural sources, contain small amounts of carotenoids that are structurally similar to lutein, as well as the active compounds found in the plant. Although these components are present in low concentrations, they can enhance the extract's overall efficacy. α-Carotene and β-carotene are present in small amounts in marigold and vegetable extracts. They possess vitamin A activity, which can improve night vision and work synergistically with lutein to protect ocular mucous membranes. Cryptoxanthin is an oxygenated carotenoid with antioxidant properties that can reduce skin photo-damage. It is commonly found in microalgae extracts. Marigold extracts contain small amounts of flavonoids and phenolic acids (such as chlorogenic acid), which enhance the antioxidant capacity of lutein and inhibit inflammatory responses.

Although lutein is a weaker antioxidant than vitamins C and E, its lipophilic nature enables it to penetrate lipid-rich areas such as cell membranes and mitochondria. There, it exerts targeted antioxidant effects and helps regulate inflammatory responses. Lutein can eliminate reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide anions and hydrogen peroxide, from the body. It inhibits lipid peroxidation reactions in particular, which are a core mechanism leading to cell membrane damage and cellular ageing, and protects vascular endothelial cells, liver cells and others from oxidative damage.

▶ Antioxidan

One of the main causes of cardiovascular disease is vascular endothelial inflammation and lipid oxidation, such as the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL). herbgreey®Marigold extract can reduce inflammatory responses in the vascular wall by inhibiting the release of inflammatory factors from the vascular endothelium (such as TNF-α and IL-6), and can prevent LDL oxidation (oxidised LDL is the 'culprit' of atherosclerosis). This reduces the risk of arterial plaque formation.

▶ Cardiovascular health

■ Extraction process characteristics

The production process for herbgreey®Marigold extract must be tailored to the characteristics of the raw materials used, such as marigold, microalgae and dark green vegetables. The core objective is to extract fat-soluble lutein and its synergistic components efficiently, while removing impurities and improving the purity and stability of the extract, all the while retaining the physiological functions of the active ingredients.

Marigold is the primary commercial source of lutein, accounting for over 90% of global production. Its petals contain lutein esters, which are formed by the combination of lutein and fatty acids. To be absorbed by the human body, these esters must be hydrolysed into free lutein. The balance between drying to preserve viability and subsequent hydrolysis must be considered during pre-processing. Richtek selects marigold petals that flower for 2-3 days (when the lutein content is at its highest, at around 1.5-3.0%). Manually or mechanically remove impurities such as calyxes and flower stems to avoid introducing substances such as cellulose and ash that may affect subsequent extraction. Inactivate the polyphenol oxidase in the petals using hot air or microwave blanching (to prevent lutein from being oxidised and degraded), then reduce the moisture content to below 8% using low-temperature hot air drying or vacuum freeze-drying.

Extraction is the key process for separating lutein and its synergistic components from raw materials. It is therefore essential to select extraction technology that is 'highly efficient, low in residues and environmentally friendly', based on the characteristics of the raw materials. Solvent extraction is a traditional, low-cost process that uses lipophilic solvents such as hexane, ethyl acetate and ethanol as extraction agents, leveraging the lipophilic properties of lutein. It remains the mainstream process for marigold extraction. Supercritical CO2 extraction is a more advanced process that leaves no residues and uses supercritical CO2 as the extractant, combining the permeability of a gas with the solubility of a liquid. It is the preferred method for producing Marigold extracts that are free from solvent residues and highly active.

The crude extract contains impurities, such as chlorophyll, wax, protein and solvent residues, which must be removed through a refining process. Lutein in marigold crude extracts exists in an ester form, bound to either palmitic or stearic acid. Human absorption rates of this form of lutein are only 1/3 to 1/2 of those of free lutein, necessitating hydrolysis to convert it. The mainstream industrial method is chemical hydrolysis, while enzymatic hydrolysis using lipase is a greener process that leaves no chemical residues, but has higher enzyme costs.

General Information:

☑  herbgreey®Lutein crystal 75%/80%

herbgreey®Marigold extract can boost the body's defences against pathogens by enhancing the activity of immune cells, such as T cells and macrophages. It can also promote the ability of macrophages to phagocytose bacteria and viruses, thereby reducing immune disorders caused by the excessive activation of immune cells.

▶ Immune health