title: Verification ofMeso-Zeaxanthin in Fish.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The carotenoids lutein (L), zeaxanthin (Z), andmeso-zeaxanthin (MZ) accumulate in the central retina (the macula), where they are collectively known as macular pigment (MP). MP has been shown to enhance visual function in both diseased and non-diseased retinae, and therefore an understanding and confirmation of, the origins of these carotenoids is needed. Studies have shown that L and Z are present in many foodstuffs found in a typical Western diet (e.g. spinach, kale, peppers, yellow corn and eggs). It has been shown that MZ is generated from L in the primate retina and earlier reports suggested that MZ was present in some fish species. Recently, however, one research group reported that MZ is not present in fish and suggested that the earlier reports showing MZ in these marine species were a methodological artefact. The current study was designed to investigate the reason for the contradiction, and test for the presence of MZ in fish and some other foods.
  
  
  METHODS
  Raw fruits, vegetables and fish were extracted for carotenoid analysis by high performance liquid chromatography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MZ was not detected in any of the fruits or vegetables tested in our study. However, using retention time matching, absorption spectrum comparison, and sample spiking, we verified the presence of MZ in salmon skin, sardine skin, trout skin and trout flesh.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study confirmed the presence MZ in nature, and in the human food chain.
authors.affiliation: Macular Pigment Research Group, Department of Chemical and Life Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland.
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Nolan
authors.affiliation: Macular Pigment Research Group, Department of Chemical and Life Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Beatty
authors.affiliation: Macular Pigment Research Group, Department of Chemical and Life Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland.
authors.forename: Katie A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Meagher
authors.affiliation: Howard Foundation, Cambridge, UK.
authors.forename: Alan N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.affiliation: Macular Pigment Research Group, Department of Chemical and Life Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.affiliation: Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), University of Ulster, Coleraine, UK.
authors.forename: David I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Thurnham
keywords: Carotenoids; Fish; Food analysis; Food composition; HPLC; Lutein; Macular pigment; Meso-zeaxanthin; Seafood; Zeaxanthin