Description

β-Carotene is a naturally occurring, fat-soluble pigment belonging to the carotenoid family, renowned for its potent provitamin A activity and vibrant orange-red color. This compound is essential for its dual functionality as a critical nutrient and a highly effective, natural colorant. It serves as a vital ingredient for manufacturers in the food and beverage, dietary supplement, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries seeking clean-label, functional solutions.

Application

• Food & Beverage Coloring: Used as a natural colorant (E160a) in juices, dairy products, confectionery, sauces, and baked goods to impart yellow to orange hues.
• Dietary Supplements & Nutraceuticals: Formulated into softgels, tablets, and multivitamin blends for its essential role as a source of Vitamin A, supporting vision, immune function, and skin health.
• Pharmaceuticals: Employed in medicinal preparations and therapeutic formulations where Vitamin A supplementation is clinically indicated.
• Cosmetics & Personal Care: Incorporated into skincare products (creams, lotions) and cosmetics for its antioxidant properties and to provide natural coloration.
• Animal Feed & Nutrition: Added to poultry feed to enhance egg yolk color and to aquaculture feed (e.g., for salmon) to improve flesh pigmentation.
• Fortified Foods: Used in the fortification of staple foods like margarine, cooking oils, and cereals to address Vitamin A deficiency.

Basic Information

Product Name	β-Carotene
CAS No.	86087-06-1
Molecular Formula	C₄₀H₅₆
Molecular Weight	536.87 g/mol
Synonyms	β-Carotene; Provitamin A; Food Orange 5; CI 75130; E160a; trans-β-Carotene; 1,1'-(3,7,12,16-Tetramethyl-1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17-octadecanonaene-1,18-diyl)bis[2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexene]; Solatene (trade name)
EINECS	Contact for details

Quality Control

Our β-Carotene is produced and tested to meet stringent quality standards appropriate for its target applications, including FCC (Food Chemicals Codex) and pharmaceutical-grade requirements where applicable. Our products undergo rigorous quality testing to ensure compliance with industry standards. Certificates of Analysis (COA) are available upon request.

Storage

Preserve in a tightly closed container, protected from light. Store under an inert atmosphere (e.g., nitrogen) at a controlled room temperature (15-25°C) in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area. Keep away from oxidizing agents and heat sources.

Specification

Item	Specification
Appearance	Reddish-brown to violet crystals or crystalline powder
Identification (IR)	Conforms
Assay (HPLC)	≥ 96.0% (all-trans-β-Carotene)
Loss on Drying	≤ 1.0%
Heavy Metals (as Pb)	≤ 10 ppm
Residue on Ignition	≤ 0.1%
Solvent Residues	Meets requirements

Note: Specifications can be tailored. Please contact us for the detailed technical data sheet of a specific grade.