New carotenoids of the formula ##STR1## wherein R and n have the significances given herein, are useful for pigmenting the egg yolk, integuments and/or subcutaneous fat of poultry and the meat and/or integuments of fish and crustacea when included in the feed of the poultry, fish or crustacea. As well as such carotenoids and method of pigmenting the invention further embraces the pertinent carotenoid-enriched feed for poultry, fish or crustacea, the premixes for incorporation in such feeds and beadlets containing one or more of these carotenoids for incorporation in such premixes and the use of the carotenoids in the pigmenting method. The process of manufacturing such carotenoids, which more specifically may be designated as carotenoid ketones, monoesters and diesters, also represents an aspect of the invention.

A stable product containing finely a dispersed carotenoid for use in supplementing aqueous systems, such as foods, beverages, and personal care products, with the carotenoid. An emulsifier is dissolved in water and an anti-foam agent and a source of the carotenoid are added to the solution. The concentrated product may be added to the aqueous systems or dried to form a powder that is readily dispersible in aqueous systems. The product may also include an antioxidant to preserve the activity of the carotenoid. Emulsifiers particularly suited for use include sucrose fatty acid esters. The product is produced without the use of organic solvents or elevated temperatures.

This invention relates to fat containing consumable food products comprising .alpha.-cyclodextrin. The food products have reduced levels of bioavailable fat but have substantially the same fat, cholesterol and caloric content as a like food without .alpha.-cyclodextrin. The invention also relates to methods for reducing the bioavailability of fats in fat containing food products without reducing caloric intake as determined by bomb calorimetry and to methods for increasing high density lipoproteins in a subject and reducing or controlling weight by administering the food products of this invention.

A method of treating ischemic reperfusion injury in a subject. The method may include administering to the subject an effective amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable formulation. The pharmaceutically acceptable formulation may include a synthetic analog or derivative of a carotenoid. The subject may be administered a carotenoid analog or derivative, either alone or in combination with another carotenoid analog or derivative, or co-antioxidant formulation. The carotenoid analog may include a conjugated polyene with between 7 to 14 double bonds. The conjugated polyene may include a cyclic ring including at least one substituent. In some embodiments, a cyclic ring of a carotenoid analog or derivative may include at least one substituent. The substituent may be coupled to the cyclic ring with an ester functionality.