Abstract
Abstractβ-carotene is a principle carotenoid in carrots, and of the most common and widely studied carotenoids. Carotenoids are the phytonutrients that impart a distinctive yellow, orange, and red color to various fruits and vegetables. β-carotene is important not only for the color that it imparts to the food stuffs, but also because of the myriad of associated health benefits. It is the most potent precursor of vitamin A and is present naturally as a mixture of various isomers (cis and trans) of β-carotene molecule. It has a potent antioxidant capacity and offers an array of health benefits such as lowering the risk of heart diseases and certain types of cancers, enhancing the immune system, and protection from age-related macular degeneration—the leading cause of irreversible blindness among adults. Consumer attitude towards bioactive compounds, including β-carotene, as natural colorants and for health benefits is promising. Incorporation of β-carotene in various food systems is limited by its poor wat...
Highlights
Carotenoids are organic pigments found in chloroplast of plants and other photosynthetic organisms like algae, some bacteria, and fungi
Carotenoids are defined by their chemical structures having 40 carbon chains and are classified as: (i) Carotenes comprised entirely of carbon and hydrogen, e.g. α-carotene, β-carotene, and lycopene; and (ii) Oxygenated derivatives of these hydrocarbons known as xanthophylls, e.g. lutein and zeaxanthin (Britton, 1995; Qian, Decker, Xiao, & McClements, 2012)
Beta carotene (Greek beta and Latin carota) is an important member of the carotenoid family and is a strongly red orange-colored pigment abundant in plants and fruits. β-carotene is regarded as the major carotenoid present in human diet (Johnson, 2002) and is in turn the main source of vitamin A in humans
Summary
Β-carotene is important for the color that it imparts to the food stuffs, and because of the myriad of associated health benefits. It is the most potent precursor of vitamin A and is present naturally as a mixture of various isomers (cis and trans) of β-carotene molecule. It has a potent antioxidant capacity and offers an array of health benefits such as lowering the risk of heart diseases and certain types of cancers, enhancing the immune system, and protection from age-related macular degeneration—the leading cause of irreversible blindness among adults. Encapsulation can be a way forward to improve the stability and help in effective delivery of β-carotene
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
