The bioavailability of synthetic β-carotene and β-carotene from a natural source in rabbits in the presence of citric pectin were determined. Thirty animals were divided into three groups which received the following diets for 30 days: vegetable group (VG): 6mg/day natural β-carotene (kale) + 12% citric pectin; positive control group (PCG): 6mg/day synthetic β-carotene (oil + β-carotene) + 12% citric pectin; negative control group (NCG): 12% citric pectin only. Plasma retinol and β-carotene did not differ significantly ( p > 0.05) between VG and PCG. Liver retinol (VG: 35.54 μg/g; PCG: 54.19 μg/g; NCG: 2.01 μg/g), β-carotene (VG: 0.65 μg/g; PCG: 0.68 μg/g; NCG: not detected) and retinyl palmitate (VG: 57.67 μg/g; PCG: 66.09 μg/g; NCG: 0.84 μg/g) also did not differ ( p > 0.05) between the VG and PCG groups. We conclude that the bioavailability of natural β-carotene is the same as that of synthetic β-carotene.