Beta-carotene

Key Attributes.

Name:beta-Carotene Synonyms :beta,beta-Carotene; Carotene; Solatene; trans-beta-Carotene Molecular structure: Molecular Formula :C40H56 Molecular Weight :536.88 CAS Registry Number :7235-40-7 EINECS :230-636-6 ß-Carotene is an organic compound - a terpenoid, a red-orange pigment abundant in plants and fruits. As a carotene with ß-rings at both ends, it is the most common form of carotene. It is a precursor (inactive form) of vitamin A. Being highly conjugated, it is deeply colored, and as a hydrocarbon lacking functional groups, it is very lipophilic. The structure was deduced by Karrer et al. In nature, ß-carotene is a precursor to vitamin A via the action of beta-carotene 15,15'-monooxygenase. ß-Carotene is also the substance in carrots that colours them orange. ß-Carotenoid is biosynthesized from geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate. The most common side effect of excessive ß-carotene consumption is carotenodermia, a harmless condition that presents as a conspicuous orange skin tint arising f