Abstract: The dried powders of marigold flower were extracted by hexane for a few times until the extract was colorless. After filtration, the extract was collected and concentrated by a rotary evaporator until its total carotenoid amount (TCA) was 5% (W/ V). The concentrate was saponified by the addition of an equal volume of 10% (W/V) KOH-EtOH. This reaction usually took more than 12 hours at room temperature with stirring and N2 filling. The product of saponification was isolated by a liquid-liquid phase separation with the upper phase of di-ether and the lower phase of 2% (W/V) NaCl solution. The ether phase was washedby the NaCl solution for many time until its pH was 7. The ether phase was then evaporated to remove di-ether and water. The TCA and carotenoid composition (CC) assessments of final concentrate were performed. A mass spectroscopy of lutein fraction was undertaken to support its identification by HPLC.

Key words:  , marigold； lutein；