METHOD FOR PRODUCTION OF RARE CAROTENOIDS FROM COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE LUTEIN.

Disclosed are processes for conversion of (3R, 3 R, 6 R)-lutein to (3R, 6 R)-agr; -cryptoxanthin, (3R)-bgr; -cryptoxanthin, anhydroluteins I, II, and III (dehydration products of lutein), and a method for separating and purifying the individual carotenoids including the unreacted (3R, 3 R)-zeaxanthin. The invention also includes two methods that transform (3R, 3 R, 6 R)-lutein into (3R, 6 R)-agr; -cryptoxanthin in excellent yields.