Premium Natural β-Carotene CAS 7235-40-7 API for Food Additives & Healthcare Products

β -Carotene More Info

β -Carotene, identified by the Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number 7235-40-7, is a naturally occurring organic pigment belonging to the terpenoid family and classified as a carotenoid. Its molecular formula is C₄₀H₅₆, with a molecular weight of approximately 536.87 grams per mole, and it exists as a red to reddish-purple crystalline powder that is virtually insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents such as ,  The IUPAC name for this compound is 1,3,3-trimethyl-2-[(1E,3E,5E,7E,9E,11E,13E,15E,17E)-3,7,12,16-tetramethyl-18-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-1-en-1-yl)octadeca-1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17-nonaen-1-yl]cyclohex-1-ene, a systematic name that reflects its long conjugated polyene chain composed of eleven double bonds, which is responsible for both its characteristic color and its biological activity as a precursor to vitamin A . Structurally, β-carotene consists of two retinyl groups joined at their aldehyde ends, and it is classified as a provitamin A carotenoid, meaning it can be enzymatically cleaved within the body to generate retinol, the active form of vitamin A .

The biological significance of β-carotene extends far beyond its role as a vitamin A precursor, encompassing a range of physiological functions that have been extensively investigated over decades of research. As the most abundant and widely distributed carotenoid in nature, it is synthesized exclusively by plants, algae, fungi, and certain bacteria, and it serves a critical photosynthetic function by absorbing light in the blue and blue-green regions of the spectrum and transferring that energy to chlorophyll molecules while simultaneously protecting photosynthetic tissues from photo-oxidative damage . In the human diet, β-carotene is found abundantly in orange and yellow fruits and vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and mangoes, as well as in dark leafy greens like spinach and kale, where its orange color is masked by the green of chlorophyll . Upon ingestion, a portion of dietary β-carotene is converted to vitamin A through the action of β-carotene 15,15′-dioxygenase in the intestinal mucosa, with one molecule yielding two molecules of retinal, which is subsequently reduced to retinol. This conversion pathway provides a regulated mechanism for vitamin A synthesis that helps prevent toxicity, as the body only converts β-carotene to retinol when vitamin A stores are depleted .

The antioxidant properties of β-carotene have been a primary focus of scientific investigation, given its ability to quench singlet oxygen and scavenge peroxyl radicals through its extended system of conjugated double bonds . As a lipophilic molecule, β-carotene localizes within cell membranes and lipoproteins, where it is particularly effective at neutralizing oxidative damage initiated by lipid peroxidation, thereby protecting membrane integrity and preventing the propagation of oxidative chain reactions . This capacity for free radical scavenging, combined with its role in maintaining vitamin A status, has led to extensive research into its potential for reducing the risk of chronic diseases associated with oxidative stress, including cardiovascular disease, age-related macular degeneration, and certain cancers . However, the results of large-scale intervention trials have yielded complex and sometimes contradictory findings, with some studies demonstrating protective effects of dietary β-carotene while others, particularly those involving high-dose supplementation in smokers, have unexpectedly shown an increased risk of lung cancer, highlighting the importance of context, formulation, and the synergistic interplay of nutrients within whole foods .

The regulatory and safety profile of β-carotene reflects its long history of use as both a nutrient and a food colorant. It is approved as a food additive under the European Union number E160a and is recognized as generally recognized as safe by the United States Food and Drug Administration for use in a wide array of food products, including beverages, baked goods, dairy products, and dietary supplements . As a food colorant, it provides a range of yellow to orange-red hues and is valued for its natural origin and stability across a broad pH range, though it is susceptible to degradation by light, heat, and oxygen, necessitating careful handling and formulation . From a toxicological perspective, β-carotene is considered to have an exceptionally low acute toxicity profile, with no established adverse effect level for the general population when consumed from dietary sources. The most notable adverse effect associated with excessive intake is carotenodermia, a benign and reversible condition characterized by yellow-orange discoloration of the skin, particularly on the palms and soles, which occurs with prolonged high-dose supplementation but is not associated with any underlying pathology . The European Food Safety Authority has established an acceptable daily intake of up to five milligrams per kilogram of body weight for β-carotene used as a food colorant, and extensive toxicological evaluations have concluded that it is not genotoxic, carcinogenic, or reprotoxic under normal conditions of use .

The analytical characterization and quality control of β-carotene are essential considerations in both food and pharmaceutical applications, given its susceptibility to isomerization and degradation. Naturally occurring β-carotene exists primarily in the all-trans configuration, which is the most thermodynamically stable and biologically active form, though exposure to light, heat, or acidic conditions can induce isomerization to various cis forms that have reduced provitamin A activity . High-performance liquid chromatography is the primary analytical method employed for the quantification and isomer profiling of β-carotene in raw materials, finished products, and biological samples, allowing for precise determination of content and stability . The compound is commonly produced through total synthesis, from fermentation processes using Blakeslea trispora, or through extraction from natural sources such as palm oil and microalgae, with each production method yielding products with distinct isomer profiles and purity characteristics . In the pharmaceutical context, β-carotene is incorporated into oral dosage forms, including soft gelatin capsules and chewable tablets, for use as a vitamin A supplement, particularly in populations at risk of deficiency, and it is also employed in topical formulations for its photoprotective and antioxidant properties, where it is believed to contribute to the skin's defense against ultraviolet-induced damage .

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