beta-Carotene
Beta-carotene is a red-orange coloured carotenoid pigment found in photosynthetic bacteria, a few species of fungi and archaea, microalgae, macroalgae and higher plants. A fungi, Blakeslea trispora, produces beta-carotene at a relatively high yield.
Natural beta-carotene is commercially produced by cultivating the microalga Dunaliella salina at a large scale.
Beta-carotene is a polyene with two retinyl groups. Natural beta-carotene is a blend of both cis and trans isomeric forms.
Beta-carotene plays crucial physiological roles, including light-harvesting in photosynthesis and photoprotection. Beta-carotene is the pro-vitamin A carotenoid and is a potent antioxidant.
Beta-carotene holds significant market value and has been used as a food colourant and animal feed additive. In food and beverages, use of natural beta-carotene can be used to replace artificial azo dyes. Beta-carotene as a health supplement is recommended for people with certain health conditions.
The use of beta-carotene in animal feed can improve bovine fertility.
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Analysis Packages for beta-Carotene
The Celignis Analysis Package(s) that determine this constituent are listed below:
P74 Pigments in Seaweed |
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Fucoxanthin, Astaxanthin, Chlorophyll-c, Chlorophyll-a, Chlorophyll-b, Lutein, beta-Carotene, Neoxanthin, Antheraxanthin, Violaxanthin |
P76 Seaweed Vitamins (Fat-Soluble) |
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beta-Carotene, Ergocalciferol (Vitamin D2), Alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), Phylloquinone (Vitamin K1) |
P150 Plant Pigments |
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Chlorophyll-a, Chlorophyll-b, Lutein, beta-Carotene, Neoxanthin, Astaxanthin, Zeaxanthin, Antheraxanthin, Violaxanthin |
Equipment Used for beta-Carotene Analysis
Ion Chromatography A Dionex ICS-3000 system that is equipmed with electrochemical, conductivity, and ultraviolet-visible detectors. |
Additional Material
We can determine the beta-Carotene content of biomass, click here to learn more about our various biomass analysis methods.We can determine the beta-Carotene content of seaweed, click here to learn more about our various methods for analysing seaweed.