Page 162 - Encyclopedia of Chemical Compounds 3 Vols

BETA CAROTENE

Interesting Facts

• The name carotene comes • At least eight other
from the Latin word for carotenoids are known.
‘‘carrot.’’ They include a-carotene,
b,c-carotene, and
• Scientists have found a
c, c-carotene.
way to change the genetic
structure of rice so that it
contains beta-carotene.
The modified rice is
designed to help people in
countries where vitamin A
deficiency is a serious
problem.

HOW IT IS MADE
Beta-carotene can be obtained from natural sources by
crushing or pulverizing the source (such as carrots) and
adding a solvent that will dissolve the organic components
of the plant. These components can then be separated from
each other by chromatographic techniques. A major com-
mercial source of beta-carotene obtained by this method is
the algae Dunaliella salina,which growsinlarge saltlakes
in Australia. The compound can also be prepared syntheti-
cally by one of two methods, the BASF and the Roche
methods, both named after the pharmaceutical firms
where they were developed. Both methods of preparation
begin with long-chain hydrocarbons containing about
twenty carbon atoms each. These hydrocarbons are then
joined to each other to form the 40-carbon beta-carotene
compound.

COMMON USES AND POTENTIAL HAZARDS
Beta-carotene has two uses: in vitamin supplements and
as a food additive. Anyone who eats a healthy diet that
includes foods rich in vitamin A, such as fish oil, liver,
eggs, butter, and orange or yellow vegetables and fruits,
will get adequate amounts of beta-carotene. However, many

CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS 111