Screening of vegetables and fruits from Panama for rich sources of lutein and zeaxanthin

In this study we present the results of a screening for good sources of the carotenoid pigments lutein and zeaxanthin, which are related to the eye health. Seventy-four fruits and vegetables available in Panama, including 20 for which there were not previous reports on their carotenoid content have been analysed. The results obtained have revealed the existence of 7 sources with high content (5–20 μg/g) and 8 with very high content (>20 μg/g) of lutein. More importantly, we found 4 sources with high content and 5 with very high content of zeaxanthin, for which only a few good sources were known so far. These results can be useful for the update of carotenoid composition tables, the domestication of some species, the development of ingredients for functional foods, the study of the molecular basis underlying high-zeaxanthin phenotypes, etc.