Lutein is a pigment which is naturally present in plants. In the human eye, particularly in the center portion of the retina, it is a significant structure. This is a nutrient we require, but our bodies are incapable of producing it hence we require to ingest it or supplements. Apart from maintaining the health of our eyes, lutein is used in animal feeds since it is a natural and a safe product that has several beneficial properties. The report shows the application of lutein in feed and the way it can be useful in aquaculture and livestock farming globally. Sustainable farming is also on the rise in the use of lutein, a widely consumed feed additive. Lutein: What You Should Know and Where It Comes From
The major roles of lutein are to absorb harmful blue light, provide antioxidants that protect the retina, and possibly slow the development of age-related eye conditions, and thus, lutein in the eyes is a strong concern in the health supplement industry. Lutein levels are naturally high in green vegetables, flowers, and fruits. Commercially, marigold flowers are the most important product to extract lutein since they have a high content of lutein and extraction procedures are advanced, and hence they are the main source of natural lutein. Lutein is also present in small quantities in common foods (spinach, kale, broccoli, pumpkins, mangoes, and kiwifruits) and these can supply a proportion of the daily intake requirements.
Lutein is commercially available in different forms, and lutein powder is among the most commonly utilized, since it is easy to store and process. It is not just a primary ingredient in health supplements but also a major ingredient in feed additives, which makes it applicable to various industries.
Lutein is a feed additive that is natural and safe and, therefore, used on a large scale in livestock and aquaculture. It provides benefits that add value to different types of animals that are reared. Poultry farming: The laying of eggs by hens is aided by lutein that is deposited in the yolks hence giving a naturally bright orangish-yellow coloring to the eggs, a color that makes the eggs ber marketable and enhances their competitive edge. It also increases egg production as well as working as an antioxidant to enhance the health of a hen. When it comes to broiler chickens, lutein affects the color of the broiler skin together with the legs and thus aligns them with the colors that the customers perceive as perfect. It also assists in boosting resistance to diseases in broilers and in reducing stress throughout the growth process, impacts that increase the survival rate and efficiency of production.
Aquaculture, often called fish farming, involves raising fish and other aquatic creatures in controlled environments. This practice helps meet the growing
Lutein is used as a color in the reproduction of aquatic animals, such as salmon, shrimp and koi. It helps aquatic animals develop natural colors, and thus their body color is bright (like the orange-red of a salmon and the blue-red of a shrimp) and this greatly increases the market value of aquatic products. Lutein also increases the resistance of aquatic animals to stresses, enhances gut well-being, enhances feed conversion efficiency and enhances growth. Thus, it is necessary in farmed aquaculture. 3) Ruminant Farming
Properly adding lutein to the feed of ruminant animals such as dairy cows and beef cattle can assist in reducing breeding stress, strengthening their immune system and enhancing milk quality and meat quality. The ruminant farming value of lutein is slowly increasing due to the rising global market demand for high-quality dairy and meat products.
As it is a natural extract, lutein satisfies the requirements of modern breeding of antibiotic-free and green production. It is now, best used as a substitute to various chemical colourants, supporting the world trend in sustainable development and good farming.
Other Versatile Applications of Lutein
Lutein is also well utilized in health supplements, food products, and cosmetics besides in the feed industry. Lutein and zeaxanthin supplements are highly preferred in the health supplement market, and the advantages of lutein and zeaxanthin are already known- both of them can be used to protect eye health more effectively. Most good lutein zeaxanthin supplements usually comprise a combination of the two ingredients with vitamins and minerals in order to cater to the needs of different groups such as students, office employees, and the aged in eye care. Lutein is applied in the food and beverage industry as a natural ingredient in functional foods and drinks such as eye health milk powder, children's complementary foods, and fruit juice. In cosmetics, it is combined with eye creams and facial serums to prevent UV damage and skin aging.
The market seems to be shifting lately. Many investors are keeping an eye on trends. Some sectors show strong growth
Lutein demand continues to grow because animal breeding has become more industrialized. Farmers also want to use natural methods to produce healthy products. Shaanxi New Things Biotech follows the principles of natural and healthy development. The company provides different types of lutein including lutein powder as high-quality products to feed manufacturers all over the world. Lutein exists as a natural carotenoid which provides various uses that help the breeding industry develop health care facilities and other business sectors.