carotene

Carotene is a naturally occurring pigment and carotenoid compound found in plants that gives yellow and orange fruits and vegetables their characteristic colors. It is a tetraterpene with 40 carbon atoms per molecule (C40H56) and exists in several forms including alpha, beta, gamma, delta, epsilon, and zeta. Beta-carotene is the most common form and serves as a precursor to vitamin A (retinol) in the human body. The body converts beta-carotene to vitamin A as needed, preventing toxic buildup that can occur with preformed vitamin A from animal sources. Carotene also functions as an antioxidant, helping protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.

Brand names

LumiteneCarotaben

Other names

beta-carotenealpha-carotenegamma-carotenedelta-caroteneepsilon-carotenezeta-caroteneprovitamin Aβ-caroteneα-caroteneγ-caroteneδ-caroteneε-caroteneζ-carotene