Meso-Zeaxanthin (3R,3′S-Zeaxanthin) is a xanthophyllcarotenoid, and is one of the three stereoisomers of zeaxanthin. The meso form is the second most abundant in nature, after 3R,3′R-zeaxanthin, which is produced by plants and algae.[1]meso-Zeaxanthin has been identified in specific tissues of marine organisms[2] and in the macula lutea, also known as the "yellow spot", of the human retina.[3][4]
^De Ville, T. E.; Hursthouse, M. B.; Russell, S. W.; Weedon, B. C. L. (1969). "Absolute configuration of carotenoids". Journal of the Chemical Society D: Chemical Communications. 22 (22): 1311–1312. doi:10.1039/C29690001311.
^Maoka, Takashi; Arai, Akihiro; Shimizu, Minoru; Matsuno, Takao (1986). "The first isolation of enantiomeric and meso-zeaxanthin in nature". Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B: Comparative Biochemistry. 83 (1): 121–124. doi:10.1016/0305-0491(86)90341-X. PMID3943294.
^Bone, R. A.; Landrum, J. T.; Friedes, L. M.; Gomez, C. M.; Kilburn, M. D.; Menendez, E.; Vidal, I.; Wang, W. (1997-02-01). "Distribution of lutein and zeaxanthin stereoisomers in the human retina". Experimental Eye Research. 64 (2): 211–218. doi:10.1006/exer.1996.0210. ISSN0014-4835. PMID9176055.