Lutein in specific marigold flowers and microalgae

Lutein is currently produced from marigold flowers. Microalgae can grow fast with high fixation rate of CO₂, which have been proposed an alternative lutein source. This communication determined the contents of free lutein and lutein ester of two marigold flowers (Tagetes erecta and Tagetes patula) and two microalgae samples (Chlorella pyrenoidosa and Scenedesmus obliquus) using the same lutein extraction and identification protocol. The tested T. erecta has low lutein content. The T. patula has high content of lutein ester. Conversely, the tested C. pyrenoidosa and S. obliquus exhibit high contents of free lutein and chlorophyll and minimal quantity of lutein ester. Microalgae can be used instead of marigold flowers for lutein production if rapid production of free lutein products is required.