Determination of lipid-soluble components in lutein forte

An HPLC method for quantitative determination of lutein, zeaxanthin, retinyl acetate, and tocopheryl acetate in Lutein Forte was developed. The resolution of peaks as a function of two- and three-component mobile phases (MP) was studied. It was shown that Lutein Forte contained a third carotinoid in addition to the declared carotinoids lutein and zeaxanthin. An experimental planning method established that the optimum combination for efficient separation of lutein and zeaxanthin (R = 1.52) and analysis time (24 min) was MP composition CH3CH:dioxane:H2O 88:7:5. The contents of lutein, zeaxanthin, retinyl acetate, and tocopheryl acetate corresponded according to the quantitative determination results to those declared. The relative uncertainty of the average results was less than 1.28%.