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Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012Show full title

Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 of 9 March 2012 laying down specifications for food additives listed in Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council (Text with EEA relevance)

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E 161 b LUTEIN

SynonymsMixed Carotenoids; Xanthophylls
Definition

Lutein is obtained by solvent extraction of the strains of edible fruits and plants, grass, lucerne (alfalfa) and Tagetes erecta. The main colouring principle consists of carotenoids of which lutein and its fatty acid esters account for the major part. Variable amounts of carotenes will also be present. Lutein may contain fats, oils and waxes naturally occurring in the plant material.

Only the following solvents may be used for the extraction: methanol, ethanol, propan-2-ol, hexane, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone and carbon dioxide

Colour Index No
Einecs204-840-0
Chemical name3,3′-dihydroxy-d-carotene
Chemical formulaC40H56O2
Molecular weight568,88
Assay

Content of total colouring matter not less than 4 % calculated as lutein

2 550 at ca. 445 nm in chloroform/ethanol (10 + 90) or in hexane/ethanol/acetone (80 + 10 + 10)

DescriptionDark, yellowish brown liquid
Identification
SpectrometryMaximum in chloroform/ethanol (1:9) at ca. 445 nm
Purity
Solvent residuesAcetoneNot more than 50 mg/kg, singly or in combination
Methyl ethyl ketone
Methanol
Ethanol
Propan-2-ol
Hexane
ArsenicNot more than 3 mg/kg
LeadNot more than 3 mg/kg
MercuryNot more than 1 mg/kg
CadmiumNot more than 1 mg/kg

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