DESCRIZIONE
A carotenoid composition, a process for producing a carotenoid composition, and methods of use thereof. The composition comprises a soap derived from the saponification of a natural carotenoid-containing oleoresin, wherein the soap contains non-esterified xanthophyll particles, and retains greater than 80% total xanthophyll concentration when stored at room temperature, in an oxygen permeable dark bag, for three months. The process comprises (a) alkaline saponification of a natural carotenoid-containing oleoresin, wherein the saponification occurs in the presence of a metal hydroxide, with intimate mixing, and occurs at a temperature between 110-180 degrees Centigrade, resulting in a composition comprising non-esterified carotenoids. (b) atomization of the resulting soap, and (c) isomerization of the nonesterified carotenoids, wherein the atomized soap is heated such that greater than 80% of the non-esterified carotenoids present are in the all-trans isomer configuration, and the non-esterified carotenoid concentration of the final soap product is greater than 10%.