Beta Carotene

Beta Carotene: Nature’s Provitamin A Powerhouse – Supply, Science & Superior High quality

1. What is Beta-Carotene?

Beta-carotene (β-carotene) is a vibrant red-orange provitamin A carotenoid, predominantly present in crops and microorganisms. It is essentially the most potent precursor to retinol (vitamin A) inside the human physique. Chemically categorised as a tetraterpenoid, its construction consists of two retinyl teams linked by a polyene chain, liable for its coloration and antioxidant properties. In contrast to preformed vitamin A (retinol, retinal, retinoic acid), beta-carotene is transformed to energetic vitamin A solely as wanted by the physique, considerably decreasing the chance of hypervitaminosis A toxicity. Its major roles embrace serving as a essential dietary supply of vitamin A and appearing as a potent lipid-soluble antioxidant, neutralizing dangerous free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS).

2. Product Supply, Chemical Properties & Key Identifiers

• Main Natural Sources: Considerable in orange and yellow fruits & greens (carrots, candy potatoes, pumpkins, mangoes, apricots), darkish leafy greens (spinach, kale), purple palm oil, and sure algae (e.g., Dunaliella salina).

• Chemical Properties:

  • Molecular Components: C₄₀H₅₆

  • Molecular Weight (MW): 536.87 g/mol

  • Look: Deep red-orange to purple crystalline powder or resolution.

  • Solubility: Extremely soluble in natural solvents (chloroform, benzene), barely soluble in fat and oils, virtually insoluble in water. Solubility could be enhanced through formulation (emulsions, micelles).

  • Stability: Delicate to gentle, warmth, and oxidation. Requires safety (antioxidants, inert ambiance, opaque packaging).

• Key Identifiers:

  • CAS Registry Quantity: 7235-40-7

  • EC Quantity (EINECS): 230-636-6

3. Figuring out Excessive-High quality Beta-Carotene: Key Attributes

Selecting the “greatest” beta-carotene entails scrutinizing a number of essential components:

• Supply & Purity: Go for pure, plant-derived sources (like Dunaliella salina or marigold extracts) over artificial variations for superior bioavailability and shopper choice. Purity is paramount. Search for HPLC-verified purity exceeding 96%, ideally >99%. Impurities can scale back efficacy and pose security dangers.

• Composition: Specify the isomeric profile. All-trans beta-carotene is the first energetic type, however some cis-isomers happen naturally and will have completely different bioavailability.

• Efficacy & Bioavailability: Make sure the product demonstrates excessive bioconversion effectivity to retinol. Formulations using emulsion applied sciences (e.g., beadlets, nanoemulsions) considerably improve absorption within the intestine. Stability testing underneath related circumstances (warmth, gentle, pH) is important.

• Compliance: Should adhere to strict worldwide pharmacopoeial requirements (USP, EP, JP) and related meals/additive laws (FDA GRAS, EU Novel Meals, JECFA). Rigorous contaminant management (heavy metals, pesticides, solvents, microbes) is non-negotiable.

• Origin & Manufacturing: Traceability to respected sources and GMP-certified manufacturing amenities are indicators of high quality and security. Sustainable sourcing practices add worth.

• Well being Advantages & Mechanism:

  • Provitamin A Exercise: Important for imaginative and prescient (rhodopsin synthesis), immune operate (lymphocyte differentiation), mobile progress/differentiation, and replica.

  • Potent Antioxidant: Quenches singlet oxygen and scavenges free radicals, defending lipids, proteins, and DNA from oxidative harm, linked to decreased threat of continual illnesses (sure cancers, heart problems, age-related macular degeneration).

  • Pores and skin Well being: Contributes to pores and skin pigmentation (delicate pure sunscreen), helps pores and skin barrier operate, and combats photoaging through antioxidant motion.

  • Immune Modulation: Enhances cell-mediated immune responses and antibody manufacturing.

• Each day Consumption & Dosage:

  • No single RDA for beta-carotene itself. Necessities are expressed as Retinol Exercise Equivalents (RAE).

  • 1 mcg RAE = 12 mcg dietary beta-carotene (from meals) or 2 mcg supplemental beta-carotene (on account of formulation variations).

  • Enough Consumption (AI) for Vitamin A (Adults): 700-900 mcg RAE/day for males, 600-700 mcg RAE/day for ladies.

  • Typical Complement Doses: Vary from 3 mg to fifteen mg each day. Excessive-dose supplementation (>20 mg/day) ought to be medically supervised, notably for people who smoke. Deal with dietary sources first.

• Utilization: Integrated into softgels, tablets, capsules, useful meals, drinks, cosmetics (lotions, serums). Observe particular product labeling.

• Goal Viewers: People with restricted dietary vitamin A consumption, these in search of antioxidant assist, supporting pores and skin well being, particular scientific populations underneath steerage.

• Precautions & Facet Results:

  • Usually well-tolerated at really useful doses.

  • Excessive Doses (>30 mg/day): May cause innocent however reversible carotenodermia (yellow-orange pores and skin discoloration, particularly palms/soles).

  • People who smoke: Some giant research (ATBC, CARET) linked high-dose artificial beta-carotene dietary supplements to elevated lung most cancers threat in heavy people who smoke/alcohol customers. Natural beta-carotene from meals/dietary supplements at typical doses is NOT related to this threat. People who smoke ought to keep away from high-dose remoted dietary supplements until suggested in any other case.

  • Being pregnant/Lactation: Secure from meals; high-dose dietary supplements solely underneath medical supervision.

  • Interactions: Orlistat, bile acid sequestrants (cholestyramine, colestipol), mineral oil might scale back absorption.

• Contraindications: Hypersensitivity. Use warning in sufferers with hypercarotenemia or extreme liver/kidney illness.

4. Shaanxi Zhonghong Investment Technology Co., Ltd.: Your Trusted Beta-Carotene Associate

Shaanxi Zhonghong Investment Technology Co., Ltd. stands as a premier vertically built-in high-tech enterprise devoted to innovation in chemistry, supplies, and life sciences. With 28 years of specialised experience in bioactive compounds, we excel within the extraction, isolation, purification, and superior utility improvement of potent plant constituents.

• Core Competencies: Natural Plant Extraction, Beauty Actives, Pharma & Nutraceutical Components, Natural Pigments, Dietary Dietary supplements, Meals & Beverage Components, Natural Sweeteners.

• Scientific Prowess (R&D Limitations):

  • Joint Innovation: Strategic partnerships with 5 main universities through devoted joint laboratories.

  • IP Portfolio: Possession of 20+ proprietary patents, safeguarding superior extraction and purification methodologies.

  • Unique Compound Library: A globally distinctive repository enabling novel discovery and customization.

• Chopping-Edge High quality Infrastructure:

  • Superior Analytics: Outfitted with HPLC (Excessive-Efficiency Liquid Chromatography), UHPLC (Extremely-HPLC), and NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) Spectrometry for unparalleled structural affirmation and purity verification.

  • Superior Purity: Our stringent protocols constantly yield beta-carotene with purity requirements exceeding business averages by over 20%.

• World Provide Chain: Sturdy distribution community serving 80+ international locations throughout Asia, Europe, and the Americas, offering bespoke ingredient options to multinational pharmaceutical companies, analysis establishments, and main FMCG manufacturers.

Beta-Carotene: Unlocking Confirmed Well being Advantages

• Imaginative and prescient Help: Elementary for retinal operate and low-light imaginative and prescient.

• Immune System Enhancement: Important for sustaining mucosal boundaries and immune cell operate.

• Potent Antioxidant Protection: Protects mobile constructions from oxidative stress, a key consider getting old and continual illness.

• Pores and skin Vitality & Safety: Promotes wholesome pores and skin turnover, supplies delicate UV safety (mixed with sunscreens), and combats oxidative pores and skin harm.

• Mobile Well being & Communication: Helps regular cell progress, differentiation, and gene regulation.

Complete Product Specification & Certificates of Evaluation (COA)

Observe: Specs are indicative and primarily based on typical meals/pharma grade requirements. Precise COA supplied per batch.

Superior Manufacturing Workflow

Zhonghong’s beta-carotene manufacturing leverages proprietary extraction and purification know-how:

1. Sourcing & Pretreatment: Number of premium Dunaliella salina biomass or plant materials. Milling, drying.

2. Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE) / Solvent Extraction: Makes use of food-grade solvents or supercritical CO₂ for environment friendly, selective isolation of carotenoids underneath managed temperature/stress.

3. Focus: Removing of bulk solvent underneath vacuum.

4. Multi-Stage Chromatographic Purification: Preparative HPLC or adsorption chromatography achieves ultra-high purity (>99%), eradicating isomers, xanthophylls, and residual solvents.

5. Crystallization: Managed crystallization to acquire the specified crystalline type and particle dimension distribution.

6. Stabilization & Formulation (Non-obligatory): Conversion into oil suspensions, water-dispersible powders (beadlets), or emulsions utilizing encapsulation matrices (gelatin, starch, gum acacia) and antioxidant methods (tocopherols, ascorbyl palmitate).

7. Drying: Spray drying or freeze-drying for powdered kinds.

8. Strict High quality Management (QC): Rigorous HPLC/UHPLC assay, heavy steel evaluation (ICP-MS), pesticide residue screening (GC-MS/MS, LC-MS/MS), microbiological testing, residual solvent evaluation (GC), and physicochemical exams (loss on drying, solubility, particle dimension) guarantee compliance.

Stringent High quality Management Protocol

At Zhonghong, High quality by Design (QbD) ideas underpin our beta-carotene manufacturing. Our ISO 17025 accredited laboratory implements a multi-tiered QC technique:

• Uncooked Materials Qualification: Rigorous screening of incoming biomass/solvents towards pre-defined specs.

• In-Course of Controls (IPC): Important parameters (solvent ratios, temperature, stress, circulation charges, purity checkpoints) monitored all through extraction and purification through PAT (Course of Analytical Expertise) instruments like inline spectrophotometry.

• Ultimate Product Launch Testing: Each batch undergoes full compendial testing per USP-NF <601> Carotenoids and EP Monographs, together with:

  • Id: FTIR, UV-Vis Spectrophotometry, HPLC retention time match.

  • Assay & Purity: HPLC/UHPLC quantifies all-trans beta-carotene and associated substances/isomers towards USP/EP reference requirements. Purity usually exceeds 99.0%.

  • Contaminants: ICP-MS for heavy metals (Pb, As, Cd, Hg), GC-MS/MS & LC-MS/MS for pesticide residues adhering to strict EU MRLs, LAL take a look at for endotoxins (if relevant), full microbiological enumeration and pathogen testing.

  • Physicochemical Properties: Loss on drying, residue on ignition, solubility, particle dimension evaluation (laser diffraction), particular optical rotation.

• Stability Research: Actual-time and accelerated ICH Q1A(R2) compliant stability packages to ascertain shelf-life and storage circumstances.

• Documentation & Traceability: Full GMP documentation, digital batch information (EBR), and complete COA for full traceability from uncooked materials to completed product.

Packaging & World Logistics

• Main Packaging: Multi-layered aluminum foil luggage with internal polyethylene lining (5kg, 10kg, 25kg web) underneath nitrogen flush to stop oxidation. Additionally accessible in HDPE drums with double LDPE liners for bigger portions.

• Secondary Packaging: Sturdy fiberboard cartons.

• Storage: Retailer under 25°C (77°F) in a cool, dry place. Shield from gentle, moisture, and oxygen. Keep sealed packaging till use.

• Shelf Life: 24 months from manufacturing date when saved appropriately in unopened unique packaging.

• Logistics: World transport through air freight, sea freight (FCL/LCL), or specific courier. Compliant with IATA/IMDG laws. Chilly chain choices accessible for delicate formulations.

Well being Mechanisms, Innovation & Analysis Frontiers

• Mechanism of Motion: Enzymatic cleavage by BCO1 (Beta-Carotene Oxygenase 1) within the gut yields retinaldehyde, decreased to retinol. Antioxidant motion happens through electron switch and radical adduct formation, quenching singlet oxygen (¹O₂) and peroxyl radicals (ROO•). Modulates Nrf2/ARE pathway inducing endogenous antioxidant enzymes.

• Industrial Functions:

  • Nutraceuticals: Vitamin A dietary supplements, antioxidant blends, immune assist formulation.

  • Meals & Beverage: Natural colorant (E160a), fortification in dairy, juices, baked items, confectionery.

  • Cosmetics: Anti-aging lotions, serums, solar care merchandise (antioxidant enhance), lipsticks.

  • Animal Feed: Poultry feed for yolk pigmentation, aquaculture for flesh coloration.

• Zhonghong’s Improvements:

  • Enhanced Bioavailability Formulations: Proprietary nanoemulsions and self-microemulsifying drug supply methods (SMEDDS).

  • Stabilization Applied sciences: Superior encapsulation matrices and synergistic antioxidant blends.

  • Sustainable Extraction: Optimization of SFE-CO₂ for decreased solvent waste and vitality consumption.

• Analysis Frontiers & Challenges:

  • Personalised Diet: Understanding genetic polymorphisms (e.g., BCO1) affecting conversion effectivity.

  • Illness Prevention: Clarifying roles in most cancers chemoprevention, cardiovascular well being, and cognitive decline past primary deficiency correction. Dose-response relationships and interactions with different micronutrients (vitamin E, selenium) are essential.

  • Bioavailability Engineering: Creating next-gen supply methods for maximal uptake and tissue focusing on.

  • Artificial Biology: Engineering microbes for sustainable, high-yield beta-carotene manufacturing.

Regularly Requested Questions (FAQ)

1. Q: Is your beta-carotene synthetic or natural?

   • A: We concentrate on high-purity pure beta-carotene, primarily extracted from Dunaliella salina algae or plant sources utilizing superior strategies.

2. Q: What purity degree do you assure?

   • A: Our customary beta-carotene crystals usually exceed 99.0% purity (HPLC assay, all-trans), considerably above business norms. Customized purities accessible.

3. Q: Do you supply water-soluble kinds?

   • A: Sure, we produce cold-water-dispersible beadlet formulations utilizing starch or gelatin matrices, ideally suited for drinks and on the spot merchandise. Nanoemulsions are additionally accessible.

4. Q: Are your merchandise appropriate for vegans/vegetarians?

   • A: Our pure beta-carotene from algae is inherently vegan. Beadlet formulations could be tailor-made to be vegan (utilizing plant-based carriers).

5. Q: What certifications do you maintain?

   • A: We function underneath ISO 9001, ISO 22000, FSSC 22000, GMP (for related grades), and maintain Kosher, Halal, and Natural certifications for particular merchandise. Documentation accessible upon request.

6. Q: Are you able to present customized formulations or specs?

   • A: Completely. Customization is a core power. We tailor focus, particle dimension, solubility profile, service oils, and stabilization methods to fulfill particular utility wants.

7. Q: What is the MOQ (Minimal Order Amount)?

   • A: MOQ varies relying on grade and formulation. Contact us for particular particulars. Pattern portions can be found for analysis.

8. Q: Is beta-carotene protected for people who smoke?

   • A: Excessive-dose artificial beta-carotene dietary supplements (usually >20mg/day) had been linked to elevated lung most cancers threat in heavy people who smoke in particular research. Natural beta-carotene from meals or dietary supplements at typical dietary ranges (3-15mg/day) is taken into account protected. People who smoke ought to seek the advice of a healthcare supplier earlier than high-dose supplementation.

Procurement & Samples: Expertise the Zhonghong Distinction

Supply premium, high-purity Beta-Carotene straight from the producer. Shaanxi Zhonghong Investment Technology Co., Ltd. ensures vertically managed high quality, progressive formulations, and dependable world provide.

• Request a Quote or Technical File: Contact our gross sales crew.

• Get Free Samples: Consider our high quality firsthand. Restricted portions accessible for certified consumers.

• Contact Info:

  • E mail: liaodaohai@gmail.com

  • Web site: https://www.aiherba.com (Go to for full product portfolio and firm particulars)

Conclusion

Beta-carotene stays an indispensable provitamin A nutrient and a essential endogenous antioxidant. Deciding on a high-quality supply is significant for efficacy and security. Shaanxi Zhonghong Investment Technology Co., Ltd., with its 28-year legacy, cutting-edge R&D, stringent GMP manufacturing, and world attain, delivers superior pure beta-carotene tailor-made to the exacting necessities of the nutraceutical, meals, beverage, beauty, and pharmaceutical industries. Our dedication to purity, bioavailability enhancement, and regulatory compliance makes us the accomplice of selection for premium plant-based components.

References (Illustrative – Precise formulations require particular citations)

1. World Well being Group (WHO). Vitamin and Mineral Necessities in Human Diet. 2nd ed. 2004.

2. Institute of Medication (US) Panel on Dietary Antioxidants and Associated Compounds. Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, and Carotenoids. Nationwide Academies Press; 2000.

3. Grune, T., et al. (2010). Beta-carotene is a vital vitamin A supply for people. The Journal of Diet, 140(12), 2268S–2285S.

4. Erdman Jr, J. W., et al. (2009). Are the well being attributes of lycopene associated to its antioxidant operate? Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 483(2), 229-235. (Discusses carotenoid mechanisms typically).

5. Bohn, T., et al. (2017). Mechanistic facets of carotenoid bioavailability. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) – Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids, 1862(10), 1169-1179.

6. US Pharmacopeia Nationwide Formulary (USP-NF). Basic Chapter <601> Carotenoids.

7. European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) Monograph 01/2008:0776 (Beta-carotene).

8. Codex Alimentarius Basic Commonplace for Meals Components (GSFA).

9. EFSA Panel on Dietetic Merchandise, Diet and Allergy symptoms (NDA). (2012). Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of well being claims associated to beta-carotene and upkeep of regular pores and skin and mucous membrane (ID 4236) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. EFSA Journal, 10(12), 2983.