Beta-carotene (beta-carotene) belongs to the carotenoid, which is ubiquitous in nature and is the most stable natural pigment, is an orange-yellow fat-soluble compound, shiny rhombohedral or crystalline powder, mainly from green plants and yellow, orange fruits and other natural foods. Dilute solutions of beta-carotene are orange-yellow to yellow, orange at higher concentrations, and may be slightly red depending on the polarity of the solvent.

Food source

The richest sources of beta-carotene are green leafy vegetables and yellow or orange fruits such as carrots, spinach, lettuce, potatoes, sweet potatoes, broccoli, cantaloupe, etc. Beta-carotene is fat-soluble and its fortified form is usually in capsule and gel form.

Physiological function and effect

The antioxidant activity of beta-carotene is mainly manifested in its ability to scavenge free radicals. Beta-carotene molecules contain multiple double bonds, which are easy to be oxidized in the presence of light, heat, oxygen and active free radical ions, so as to protect the body from being destroyed. There are a lot of lipid peroxidation and free radical reactions in organisms, which lead to the decline of cell function, the aging of the body and the occurrence of diseases. The presence of β-carotene can reduce lipid peroxidation. Therefore, the activity of carotenoids to scavenge free radicals and quench singlet oxygen has received widespread attention.

efficacy

1 Health care for the visual system. Rod cells in the retina contain rhodopsin and have the function of dark vision. The right amount of beta-carotene can promote the normal content of rhodopsin, thus avoiding the lack of vitamin A caused by the dull adaptation to the dark field, and avoid the damage caused by bright light after the dark field. In addition, it can prevent night blindness, dry eye, corneal ulcer and keratomalacia;

2. Health care of skin tissue. VA is necessary to maintain the integrity of all epithelial tissues, and beta-carotene can be converted into VA in the body. Therefore, the intake of a certain amount of β-carotene is of great significance for maintaining normal body surface, digestive tract, respiratory tract, genitourinary tract, endocrine tract, and can avoid skin diseases such as skin dandruff, keratinization, epidermal cell squamous squamosis, and keratinized hematoderma. Beta-carotene also has a good effect on the stability of cell membrane. It can also be used to treat "helitis", an inflammation caused by sun exposure.

3. Slow down aging. Beta-carotene can enhance the activity of red blood cells. Peroxidation free radicals can accelerate the aging of the human body, and people vividly call it the "garbage" of the body. Beta-carotene can neutralize free radical peroxide in the body, which plays a role in delaying aging;

4. Resist bad environments. People who often work in dark rooms, strong light, high temperatures or deep water, as well as radiation operators, and people who regularly watch television, should take extra beta-carotene to resist adverse environments.

Application

Beta-carotene is the most ubiquitous and stable natural pigment in nature, because of its large sources of agricultural products, unique physiological and nutritional effects, has been compiled into the "United States Pharmacopoeia" in 1985, as a food additive and nutritional supplement. It is also recommended by the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) as "Class A excellent nutritional pigment", and is approved for application in 52 countries and regions in the world. In China, beta-carotene is currently mainly used as a natural pigment and nutrient enhancer.