Ingredients are increasingly offered in vegetarian form to meet growing demand from both vegetarian consumers and those keen to avoid animal byproducts in the wake of diseases like BSE.
Supplement consumers are also more likely to be the most health-conscious segment of the population.
DSM already offers vegetarian beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin D3, its coenzyme Q10 brand ALL-Q and Optisharp zeaxanthin.
The new 5 per cent lutein is a cold water soluble form allowing it to be used in effervescent tablets and food and beverage products. The tablet grade form is said to be suitable for a range of tablet applications.
Lutein has been shown in studies to benefit eye health, protecting against cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. It is increasingly added to multivitamins and supplements.