The possible significance of egg yolk and yolk powder lutein and zeaxanthin content in the prevention of age related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of severe and irreversible vision loss in the world. As there is no effective treatment for all types of AMD, the prevention is of great importance. Oxycarotenoids have been shown to be good filters of harmful blue light, and their antioxidative properties have been demonstrated in vitro. The egg yolk contains considerable amount of these oxycarotenoids. The yolk powder as the processed egg products can be useful functional nutritive additive for the prevention of AMD in humans. The appropriate feeding of layers can result high concentration in yolk. These eggs and/or yolk powder are possible sources of the important oxycarotenoids. The HPLC determination of lutein and zeaxanthin and other antioxidant vitamins (retinol and tocopherol) from raw egg yolk and powder is presented in the study. The authors stated that egg yolk powder can be easily portioned and a good source of lutein and zeaxanthin for the AMD prevention.