XANTHOPHYLL COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR USE THEREOF Russian patent published in 2018 - IPC A23L5/44 A23K20/179 A23L33/00 C07C27/02 C09F1/04 

FIELD: chemistry.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to carotenoid compositions and methods for their preparation. Composition comprises a soap derived from the saponification of a natural carotenoid-containing oleoresin, wherein the soap contains non-esterified xanthophyll particles and gum consists of natural carotenoid-containing gum. Composition contains at least 75 mg of non-esterified xanthophyll per gram of soap and maintains a total concentration of xanthophylls above 80%, if stored at room temperature in an oxygen-permeable dark packet for three months. Alternatively, the invention relates to a composition comprising soap obtained by saponification of natural carotenoid-containing gum, where the soap contains non-esterified xanthophyll particles and 90% particles of said xanthophylls have a largest diameter of less than 0.5 mcm. Composition contains at least 75 mg of non-esterified xanthophyll per 1 g of soap. Invention relates to an animal feed containing any of said compositions. Invention relates to a method of improving the effectiveness of staining animal feed, which comprises combining the feed with any of said compositions. Invention relates to a method of increasing carotenoid content of egg yolk. Invention relates to a method of increasing the content of skin carotenoids in a subject. Invention relates to a method of producing the end product with a concentration of non-esterified carotenoids higher than 10%, the method comprising: alkaline saponification of natural carotenoid-containing gum which occurs in the presence of a metal hydroxide with thorough stirring and a temperature of 110-180 °C to obtain soap containing non-esterified carotenoids and gum, consisting of natural carotenoid-containing gum; fine grinding of the resulting soap to obtain a finely divided soap and isomerising the non-esterified carotenoids in said soap to produce the end product, the soap being heated so that more than 80% of the present non-esterified carotenoids have a completely trans-isomeric configuration. Invention relates to a carotenoid preparation which contains the end product obtained by said method. Invention relates to a method of producing an aqueous product from water and an end product with a concentration of non-esterified carotenoids higher than 10% and a carotenoid preparation prepared by said method.

EFFECT: carotenoid composition has improved bioavailability, stability, and enhanced colour efficiency.

57 cl, 22 dwg, 16 tbl, 24 ex