Separation of (3R, 3′ R)-, (3R, 3′ S; meso)-, (3S, 3′ S)- Zeaxanthin, (3R, 3′ R, 6′ R)-, (3R, 3′ S, 6′ S)- and (3S, 3′ S, 6′ S)-Lutein via the dicarbamates of (S)-(+)-α-(1-naphthyl) ethyl isocyanate

A method is described for the qualitative and quantitative determination of configurational isomers of zeaxanthin (=3,3′ -dihydroxy-β, β -carotene) and lutein (=3,3′ -dihydroxy-α -cartotene). It is based on the reaction of these zeaxathin and lutein isomers with (S)-(+)-α-(1-naphthyl) ethyl isocyanate to afford diastereomeric dicarbamates, which are analyzed by HPLC.