3R-3'R Diastereoisomer von Zeaxanthin zur Behandlung von der Degeneration der Macula

摘要

Methods and formulations are disclosed for making and purifying the 3R-3'R stereoisomer of zeaxanthin as a sole detectable isomer, in any desired quantity, for use as a drug or vitamin by humans. Zeaxanthin preparations which contain only the desired 3R-3'R stereoisomer can be produced by a strain of Flavobacterium multivorum bacterial cells (ATCC accession number 55238). These cells (and other cells transformed with their zeaxanthin-producing genes) do not create any detectable quantities of the undesired S-S or S-R isomers of zeaxanthin. The pure R-R isomer can be taken orally, either as a therapeutic drug by patients suffering from macular degeneration, or as a vitamin or nutritional supplement to reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration.