Tagetes erecta L. · Family: Asteraceae · Flower Oleoresin
Marigold is the world's commercial source of lutein, and India leads its cultivation. The one thing that decides what you are actually buying is the assay basis: lutein occurs in marigold as esters, and "20% lutein esters" is roughly half the free-lutein content of "20% lutein". We state the basis explicitly on every batch, with the zeaxanthin ratio alongside it.
The assay basis is the whole purchase
Marigold oleoresin is extracted from the dried petals of Tagetes erecta and is the world's commercial source of lutein — the carotenoid behind the eye-health supplement category, the yellow in a great many foods, and the pigment that colours egg yolk and poultry skin in the feed industry. India is the leading producer of marigold for lutein extraction, which makes this one of the strongest origin positions in our entire range.
It is also the ingredient where the specification is most often misread, and the reason is chemical. In the marigold flower, lutein exists almost entirely as fatty acid esters — lutein dipalmitate and related forms — not as free lutein. An oleoresin is therefore naturally an ester product, and a figure quoted as "lutein esters" describes a molecule that is roughly half ester weight and half lutein.
So "20% lutein esters" and "20% lutein" are not the same purchase. Converting ester content to free-lutein equivalent involves a factor of roughly one half, which means a buyer comparing two quotations without checking the basis can be off by nearly a factor of two on the thing they are actually paying for. This is the single most expensive misunderstanding in the lutein trade, and it is entirely avoidable.
We state the basis explicitly on every certificate — lutein as esters, or free lutein after saponification — along with the lutein-to-zeaxanthin ratio, which matters for eye-health formulators working to a defined ratio. Saponified grades, where the esters are hydrolysed to free lutein, are available for supplement applications that dose on free lutein.
What is in marigold oleoresin
The natural form in the flower — principally lutein dipalmitate and related fatty acid esters. This is what an unsaponified oleoresin contains, and why the assay basis has to be stated.
Produced by saponifying the esters. Higher assay on a like-for-like basis and the form most supplement specifications are written around.
Present alongside lutein at a much lower level. The lutein-to-zeaxanthin ratio is declared, since eye-health formulations are frequently built to a defined ratio.
Minor carotenoid fraction contributing to the overall colour and to total carotenoid figures where those are quoted.
Naturally co-extracted from the petal; substantially reduced in purified and saponified grades.
Vegetable oil carriers and antioxidants used to standardise and protect the carotenoid fraction — declared with inclusion levels.
Why formulators specify a basis-declared marigold oleoresin
Lutein as esters or as free lutein equivalent, named on the certificate — the difference is roughly a factor of two.
Reported per batch, because eye-health formulations are commonly built to a defined lutein-to-zeaxanthin ratio.
The world's principal marigold-for-lutein growing base, giving depth of supply and genuine origin advantage.
Esters hydrolysed to free lutein for supplement applications dosed on free-lutein content.
Poultry pigmentation and food colour grades alongside supplement grades, each specified for its application.
Solvent named and tested every batch — the defining control on any solvent-extracted carotenoid.
These are functional and physico-chemical properties of the actives; SV Botanica does not make medical or therapeutic claims for this ingredient.
Ester grades, saponified grades and application forms
| Grade | Standardisation | Form | Best For | Solubility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marigold Oleoresin 5–10% (esters) Feed grade | Lutein esters 5–10%; ratio declared | Dark orange-brown viscous paste | Poultry feed pigmentation, egg yolk colour | Oil-soluble |
| Marigold Oleoresin 15–20% (esters) Standard | Lutein esters 15–20%; ratio declared | Dark orange-brown viscous paste | Food colour, supplement feedstock | Oil-soluble |
| Lutein 5–20% (saponified) Free lutein | Free lutein after saponification; ratio declared | Orange-yellow powder or paste | Supplement formulation dosed on free lutein | Oil-soluble / dispersible |
| Lutein 80% (purified) High-assay | Purified free lutein; zeaxanthin declared | Deep orange crystalline powder | High-potency supplements, low-inclusion formats | Poorly water-soluble |
| Lutein Beadlet / CWS Dispersible | Cold-water-soluble beadlet or emulsion | Orange free-flowing beadlets | Beverages, tablets, aqueous systems | Water-dispersible |
Every grade states whether lutein is expressed as esters or as free lutein — the two differ by roughly a factor of two, and quoting one against the other is the most common and most expensive error in this trade. Feed-grade material is specified for pigmentation performance and is a genuinely different product from a supplement grade; the two should not be compared on assay alone. Saponified grades hydrolyse the natural esters to free lutein, which is the form most supplement specifications are written around. Where carriers or antioxidants are used to standardise and protect the carotenoid fraction, both are declared with inclusion levels — carotenoids are oxidation-sensitive and unprotected material loses assay in storage.
Full product specification for Marigold Oleoresin, lutein esters 20%. Values are specification limits, not batch results; a batch-specific CoA is issued per shipment.
| Parameter | Specification / Limit | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical Source | Tagetes erecta L. | — |
| Plant Family | Asteraceae | — |
| Part Used | Dried flower petal | — |
| Country of Origin | India | — |
| Appearance | Viscous paste | Organoleptic |
| Colour | Dark orange-brown* | Organoleptic |
| Odour | Characteristic of marigold | Organoleptic |
| Lutein Content | NLT 20% — as lutein esters; basis stated on certificate | By HPLC |
| Free Lutein Equivalent | Calculated and reported — conversion basis stated | By HPLC |
| Zeaxanthin | Reported per batch; lutein : zeaxanthin ratio declared | By HPLC |
| Total Carotenoids | Reported on request | Spectrophotometric |
| Saponification | Unsaponified (ester form) — saponified grades available | Declaration |
| Solubility | Oil-soluble; dispersible and beadlet grades available | — |
| Carrier / Antioxidant | Declared with inclusion level | Declaration |
| Moisture (% w/w) | NMT 2.0 | Karl Fischer |
| Residual Solvent | Solvent named; within permitted limits — every batch | By GC |
| Lead (ppm) | NMT 1.0 | ICP-MS |
| Arsenic (ppm) | NMT 1.0 | ICP-MS |
| Cadmium (ppm) | NMT 0.3 | ICP-MS |
| Mercury (ppm) | NMT 0.1 | ICP-MS |
| Pesticide Residues | Complies (EU MRL, on request) | GC-MS / LC-MS/MS |
| Ethylene Oxide (ETO) | Not treated — declaration provided | LC-MS/MS (on request) |
| Aflatoxins B1 / Total (ppb) | NMT 2 / NMT 4 | HPLC-FLD |
| Total Plate Count (cfu/g) | NMT 10,000 | USP <2021> |
| Yeast & Moulds (cfu/g) | NMT 100 | USP <2021> |
| Escherichia coli | Absent | USP <2022> |
| Salmonella sp. | Absent | USP <2022> |
| HS Code | 3203.00 / 3301.90 (grade-dependent) | — |
| Kosher / Halal | Certified (on request) | Certification |
| Shelf Life | 24 months from date of manufacture, in original packed condition | — |
| Storage | Cool, dark place below 25°C, tightly closed, protected from light and air | — |
*Colour and consistency vary with grade, carrier and carotenoid concentration. The first two lines of this specification are the whole document. Lutein occurs in marigold almost entirely as fatty acid esters, so an oleoresin is naturally an ester product — and an ester figure is roughly twice the corresponding free-lutein figure. We therefore state the basis explicitly and report the free-lutein equivalent with the conversion basis named, so a buyer can compare a saponified grade against an ester grade without doing arithmetic on assumptions. Zeaxanthin is reported and the lutein-to-zeaxanthin ratio declared, because eye-health formulations are frequently written to a defined ratio and a material that meets the lutein figure can still miss the ratio. Note also that carotenoids are oxidation- and light-sensitive: assay declines in poor storage, which is why antioxidant systems are used and why we declare them. Feed grades are specified for pigmentation performance rather than supplement assay and should not be compared with supplement grades on a single number. A current Certificate of Analysis and MSDS are issued with every batch.
From petal to declared carotenoid — basis-stated, ratio-reported, documented
Raw Material: Produced from dried Tagetes erecta petal grown across India's marigold cultivation belt. India is the world's leading producer of marigold for lutein extraction, which gives this product a genuine origin advantage rather than a marketing one. Incoming petal is assessed for carotenoid content before extraction, since flower quality and drying practice both drive achievable assay.
Extraction & Testing: Produced at certified facilities in India. Each batch is assayed for lutein by HPLC with the basis explicitly stated — as esters, or as free lutein where the grade is saponified — with the free-lutein equivalent calculated and the conversion basis named. Zeaxanthin is reported and the ratio declared. Residual solvent is tested by GC against the named solvent. Contaminant testing covers moisture, heavy metals by ICP-MS, aflatoxins, pesticide residue screening and a full microbiological panel.
Documentation: Every shipment ships against a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis stating lutein with its basis, free-lutein equivalent, zeaxanthin and ratio, saponification status, solvent and residual level, carrier and antioxidant with inclusion levels, together with an MSDS. Halal, Kosher and Organic certification are available — see our guides on EU pesticide MRL compliance and EU import requirements.
What backs every batch of Marigold Oleoresin oleoresin
Key information for global product registration and labelling
We would put this above every other consideration on this ingredient. Lutein exists in marigold almost entirely as fatty acid esters, and an ester figure is roughly twice the equivalent free-lutein figure. A specification reading "lutein 20%" without stating the basis is genuinely ambiguous — and if your finished-product label declares a lutein quantity, that declaration has to rest on the correct basis or it is wrong. Buyers should require the basis on the certificate, require the conversion factor used, and make sure their own label claim is calculated from free lutein where that is what the claim describes. We state the basis, report the free-lutein equivalent, and name the conversion basis so the arithmetic is visible rather than assumed.
Lutein from Tagetes erecta is a permitted natural colour in the EU under E161b, with its own specification, and lutein preparations from marigold are also authorised for use in animal feed for pigmentation under the feed additive framework. Those are separate regulatory routes with separate specifications, and a feed-grade material is not automatically suitable for food or supplement use. Tell us the application at enquiry: we will supply the grade specified for that route, and the documentation your reviewer will need. Novel food status does not generally arise for conventional lutein preparations, but any unusual concentration or preparation should be confirmed by your regulatory reviewer.
Supplied from India by SV Botanica — FSSAI Central Licence holder and an APEDA-registered exporter — from the world's leading marigold cultivation base. Shipped against a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis carrying the lutein basis, free-lutein equivalent, zeaxanthin ratio and residual solvent results, with export documentation available on request. This product is supplied as an ingredient and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Guides on lutein specification and marigold sourcing
Why the two figures differ by roughly half, and how to compare quotations correctly.
RegulatoryResidue limits and screening for India-origin ingredients.
RegulatoryDocumentation, controls and border expectations for Indian botanicals.
Other carotenoid and colour products from our range
Technical and commercial questions answered by our ingredients team
Ester and saponified grades, each stating the lutein basis, free-lutein equivalent and zeaxanthin ratio. Tell us your application and target basis. Samples for qualified buyers.
Supplied as a bulk ingredient for further manufacture. Buyers are responsible for compliance with the regulations of their destination market. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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