Described herein is a material for reversibly binding to a carotenoid comprising a support coupled to silver ions in an amount to enable reversible binding with carotenoids, and wherein with the exception of silver ions, is substantially free of transition metals. Also described herein is a process for reversibly binding a carotenoid, the process comprising the steps of: providing a support coupled to silver ions in an amount to enable reversible binding with the carotenoid, wherein with the exception of silver, the support is substantially free of transition metals, contacting the support with the carotenoid under binding conditions to bind it thereto and dissociating the carotenoidod from the support under dissociating conditions to release the carotenoid.
