palm oil carotenes

Palm oil carotenes are a natural mixture of carotenoids extracted from the fruit of the oil palm (*Elaeis guineensis*). This extract is unique among plant sources for its high concentration of alpha-carotene, typically containing a ratio of approximately 35% alpha-carotene and 60% beta-carotene, along with smaller amounts of gamma-carotene and lycopene. These compounds function as provitamin A precursors; upon ingestion, they are cleaved by the enzyme beta-carotene 15,15'-monooxygenase (BCO1) to produce retinal, which is essential for vision, immune function, and cellular differentiation. Beyond their role as vitamin precursors, palm oil carotenes act as potent antioxidants, quenching singlet oxygen and neutralizing reactive oxygen species (ROS) to protect cells from oxidative damage. They are primarily utilized as dietary supplements to prevent Vitamin A deficiency and as natural food colorants.

Brand names

CarotinoEVTeneCaroRet

Other names

palm carotenesmixed carotenes from palm oilElaeis guineensis carotenesE160a(ii)