title: Optical density spectra of the macular pigment in vivo and in vitro.
abstract: A precise relative optical density spectrum of the macular pigment, based upon its dichroic properties, was determined. The spectrum proved essentially identical to that of liposome-bound zeaxanthin and lutein, a system duplicating the macular pigment and its environment. Substantial agreement was also found with the spectra of Wyszecki and Stiles (1982, Color science: Concepts and methods, quantitative data and formulae. New York: Wiley) and Vos (1972, Institute for Perception, RVO-TNO, IZF 1972-17, Soesterberg, The Netherlands), and the latter is recommended as a standard. For 7 subjects, the pigment density spectrum derived from foveal and extra-foveal sensitivities was compared with the dichroism-based spectrum. Results indicated that the pigment is described by a common distribution of molecular orientations for all subjects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Florida International University, Miami 33199.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Bone
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Landrum
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cains
mesh_terms: D002338:Carotenoids / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis; D003118:Color Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D005403:Fixation, Ocular; D006801:Humans; D008266:Macula Lutea / Q000502:physiology; D008433:Mathematics; D008959:Models, Neurological; D012168:Retinal Pigments / Q000032:analysis* / Q000502:physiology; D013053:Spectrophotometry; D024341:Xanthophylls; D065146:Zeaxanthins; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*
chemical_list: D012168:Retinal Pigments; D024341:Xanthophylls; D065146:Zeaxanthins; D019207:beta Carotene; D002338:Carotenoids