Knowra Beta-carotene Beta-carotene Beta-carotene is a red-orange carotenoid pigment made by plants and some microorganisms. It can act as an antioxidant and be converted by the body into vitamin A.
Carotenoids : Carotenoids are pigments made by plants, algae, fungi, and some bacteria, often responsible for yellow, orange, and red colors. Beta-carotene belongs to this pigment family and shares its light-absorbing structure.
Vitamin A deficiency : Vitamin A deficiency is a condition caused by insufficient vitamin A, which can impair vision, immunity, and development. Dietary beta-carotene can help supply vitamin A, making it relevant to deficiency prevention.
Lycopene : Lycopene is a red carotenoid pigment found in tomatoes and other red fruits and vegetables. It is a carotenoid like beta-carotene but is not converted into vitamin A.
Carrot : The carrot is a cultivated root vegetable, commonly orange and rich in beta-carotene. Carrots are a familiar dietary source whose orange color reflects abundant beta-carotene.
Retinal : Retinal is a vitamin A derivative that binds opsin proteins to form light-sensitive visual pigments. Enzymatic cleavage of beta-carotene can produce retinal, a direct precursor to other forms of vitamin A.
Orange-fleshed sweet potato : Orange-fleshed sweet potato is a sweet potato variety whose orange color comes largely from beta-carotene. It is a widely studied food source used to increase provitamin A intake.
Alpha-carotene : Alpha-carotene is an orange carotenoid found in foods such as carrots and winter squash that can yield vitamin A. It is a related provitamin A pigment, with lower vitamin A activity per amount than beta-carotene.
Pumpkin : Pumpkin is a winter squash with orange flesh that often contains substantial beta-carotene. Its flesh illustrates how the pigment colors foods beyond carrots.
Provitamin A : Provitamin A compounds are dietary substances that the body can convert into vitamin A. Beta-carotene is a prominent provitamin A, though conversion varies with diet and individual biology.
Golden Rice : Golden Rice is genetically engineered rice that accumulates beta-carotene in its grain endosperm. It was developed to provide a provitamin A source in a staple food.
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