Beta-Carotene

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Cat Number

PIPE-0293

CAS Number

7235-40-7

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CAS Number

7235-40-7

EINECS

230-636-6

Storage

Store at -20°C

Synonyms

beta Carotene; beta,beta-Carotene; Betacarotene; Solatene; Carotaben; Provatene

Molecular Formula

C40H56

Molecular Weight

536.9

Smiles

CC1=C(C(CCC1)(C)C)/C=C/C(=C/C=C/C(=C/C=C/C=C(/C=C/C=C(/C=C/C2=C(CCCC2(C)C)C)\\C)\\C)/C)/C

Appearance

Orange to red powder

Melting Point

180-182°C

Boiling Point

633-677°C at 760 mmHg

Relative Density

0.94

General Description

Beta-carotene is a naturally occurring carotenoid with a conjugated polyene chain and two β-ionone rings at each end, giving it a deep orange-red color. Its chemical formula is C₄₀H₅₆, with a molecular weight of 536.9 Da. Beta-carotene is a hydrocarbon that is practically insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents. It is a precursor of vitamin A (retinol).

Mechanism of Action

Beta-carotene acts as a provitamin A carotenoid, which is converted to retinol in the intestine and liver by the enzyme β-carotene 15,15'-dioxygenase. Retinol is then metabolized to retinal and retinoic acid, which bind to nuclear receptors and regulate gene expression. The drug also has antioxidant properties, scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and protecting cells from oxidative damage.

Application

Beta-carotene is indicated as a dietary supplement for the prevention of vitamin A deficiency and for the treatment of erythropoietic protoporphyria, a photosensitivity disorder. It is also used in combination with other supplements for the prevention of age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. The drug is well-tolerated but can cause carotenemia (yellowish discoloration of the skin).

In red blood cells, β-carotene at 50 µM caused membrane expansion and slight elongation, reduced resistance to lysis, and shifted the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve toward higher O₂ partial pressures. At 500 µM, clustering occurred with increased resistance to hemolysis. β-carotene interacts with membrane skeleton proteins and may fine-tune O₂ transport. At low concentrations, it could be beneficial for optimizing cardiovascular performance.

Fig. 1 Exemplary steady-state Mössbauer spectra of RBCs. (Fiedor J, et al., 2021)

References

Fiedor J, et al. β-Carotene-Induced Alterations in Haemoglobin Affinity to O2. Antioxidants (Basel). 2021;10(3):451.

β-carotene oxygenase 2 (BCO2) was found to be essential for mitochondrial respiratory supercomplex assembly. BCO2 deficiency in mice disrupted supercomplex III₂+IV assembly, increased superoxide production, protein carbonylation, and inflammatory cytokines, elevated natural killer and M1 macrophage populations, and reduced T cells. BCO2 knockout mice were more susceptible to high-fat diet-induced obesity and hyperglycemia. Administration of Mito-TEMPO (mitochondrial antioxidant) attenuated the inflammation. BCO2 loss leads to mitochondrial oxidative stress, low-grade inflammation, and metabolic disorders.

Fig. 2 Expression of BCO2 is decreased in human diabetic liver specimens. (Wu L, et al., 2021)

References

Wu L, et al. β-carotene oxygenase 2 deficiency-triggered mitochondrial oxidative stress promotes low-grade inflammation and metabolic dysfunction. Free Radic Biol Med. 2021;164:271-284.

Does Beta-Carotene require strict protection from light, oxygen, and heat during storage?

Yes, it is highly sensitive to light, oxygen, and heat, which cause isomerization and oxidation. Store in airtight, light-resistant containers under -20°C.

Is Beta-Carotene stable in solution and softgel formulations?

Formulations require antioxidants (e.g., tocopherol) and protection from light.

What is the recommended packaging for Beta-Carotene to prevent degradation?

Use amber glass or aluminum containers, filled to minimize headspace and sealed under nitrogen. Store in refrigerated conditions and protect from light.

How is the impurity 9-cis-beta-carotene (an isomerization product) monitored?

This geometric isomer is specifically quantified using a stability-indicating HPLC method with UV-Vis detection, ensuring it remains within specifications.