The demand for natural ingredients has never been stronger. As manufacturers worldwide seek cleaner labels and healthier formulations, beta carotene stands out as a versatile solution that delivers both vibrant color and nutritional benefits.
What is Beta Carotene?
Definition
Beta-carotene (C40H56, CAS: 7235-40-7)is a vibrant orange-red pigment naturally found in plants and fruits. It is more than just a natural colorant; this orange-red carotenoid serves as a provitamin A, converting to vitamin A in the human body when needed. What makes it particularly valuable for manufacturers is its dual functionality – it colors your products naturally while adding genuine nutritional value.
Unlike synthetic alternatives, beta carotene offers the clean-label appeal that today’s consumers actively seek. It’s approved as E160a in Europe and holds GRAS status with the FDA, giving you regulatory confidence across major markets.
Chemical properties
- Cas：7235-40-7
- Molecular formula: C40H56
- Molecular weight: 536.87 g/mol
- Appearance： dark red or dark red, shiny rhombohedral or crystalline powder
Structure of β-carotene
β-carotene is a hydrocarbon composed of 40 carbon atoms and 56 hydrogen atoms. The molecule mainly contains carbon-carbon bonds and carbon-hydrogen bonds, which are non-polar bonds, so the overall molecule exhibits non-polar characteristics.
Solubility of β-carotene
Non-polar substances are easily soluble in non-polar solvents, and polar substances are easily soluble in polar solvents. β-carotene is insoluble in water (a polar solvent), but is easily soluble in non-polar solvents like benzene and hexane, further proving its non-polar nature.
Beta Carotene Benefits: Why Industries Choose This Powerful Compound
1. Visual health protection
Beta-carotene is an important nutrient for maintaining eye health. It is converted into vitamin A in the body to form rhodopsin, which is a key substance for maintaining normal visual function. It can effectively prevent night blindness and dry eyes, protect the health of the cornea and conjunctiva, and support the normal metabolism of the retina.
In modern digital life, the antioxidant effect of beta-carotene can also reduce the damage of electronic devices to the eyes, relieve eye fatigue caused by long-term use, and help delay the development of eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration.
2. Powerful Antioxidant Protection
Beta-carotene is one of the most powerful antioxidants in nature, and is particularly good at removing singlet oxygen and various harmful free radicals. It can protect cell membranes from lipid peroxidation damage, prevent oxidative denaturation of DNA and proteins, and maintain the normal structure and function of cells.
Beta-carotene can also form a synergistic antioxidant network with vitamin C and vitamin E, showing a stronger antioxidant effect in a low-oxygen environment, comprehensively improving the body’s ability to resist oxidative stress, thereby delaying the aging process and preventing a variety of diseases related to oxidative damage.
3. Immune system enhancement
Beta-carotene significantly enhances human immune function through multiple mechanisms. It maintains the integrity of the skin, respiratory tract and digestive tract mucosa, forming the first line of defense against pathogen invasion. At the same time, it can promote the differentiation and proliferation of T lymphocytes, enhance cellular immune function, improve the phagocytic and bactericidal ability of macrophages, and support B cells to produce antibodies to enhance humoral immunity.
Studies have shown that adequate intake of beta-carotene can reduce the risk of respiratory tract infections, accelerate wound healing, improve the effectiveness of vaccination, and help reduce chronic inflammatory responses, comprehensively improving the body’s disease resistance.
4. Cardiovascular health maintenance
Beta-carotene has a comprehensive protective effect on the cardiovascular system. It can prevent the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, thereby reducing the risk of atherosclerosis, while protecting the function of vascular endothelial cells and improving vascular elasticity and blood flow.
Beta-carotene also helps maintain normal blood pressure levels through multiple mechanisms, reduces platelet aggregation to reduce the risk of thrombosis.
A large number of epidemiological studies have shown that a diet rich in beta-carotene is associated with a lower incidence of coronary heart disease. It can also improve myocardial blood supply, protect myocardial cells from ischemic damage, and provide long-term health protection for the cardiovascular system.
5. Cancer prevention potential
Beta-carotene has significant cancer prevention potential, mainly through multiple mechanisms such as regulating cell proliferation, gene expression and immune surveillance. It can regulate the cell cycle process, prevent abnormal cell proliferation, and affect the expression of cancer-related genes to maintain the normal differentiation state of cells.
At the same time, beta-carotene enhances the body’s immune surveillance function, improves the ability to identify and eliminate abnormal cells, and supports DNA damage repair mechanisms to reduce mutation accumulation. Epidemiological studies have shown that a diet rich in beta-carotene is associated with a lower risk of multiple cancers such as lung cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, and digestive tract cancer, providing a natural protective barrier for cancer prevention.
6. Skin Beauty and Health
Beta-carotene is a natural beauty nutrient that provides all-around protection and beautification for the skin. It can provide natural UV protection, reduce UV damage to the skin, and prevent collagen degradation through strong antioxidant effects, maintaining skin elasticity and firmness.
Beta-carotene can also inhibit the excessive production of melanin, reduce the formation of spots and pigmentation, and improve the moisture status and texture of the skin by maintaining the skin barrier function.
Long-term intake of sufficient beta-carotene can significantly delay the skin aging process, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and keep the skin young and radiant.
7. Cognitive function support
Beta-carotene plays an important protective role in brain health and cognitive function. It can effectively remove free radicals in brain tissue, protect neurons from oxidative damage, reduce chronic inflammatory responses in the brain, and maintain the normal function of the nervous system.
Beta-carotene can also protect the integrity of the blood-brain barrier, prevent harmful substances from entering the brain, and support the normal conduction of nerve signals.
Emerging research shows that adequate beta-carotene intake may help delay cognitive decline, improve memory and attention, reduce the risk of dementia, and provide long-term neuroprotective effects for the brain.
8. Growth and development support
Beta-carotene plays a key role in the growth and development of the human body, especially for the healthy growth of children and adolescents. It participates in the formation and remodeling of bones, supports normal secretion of growth hormone, and promotes the normal differentiation and development of various tissues.
Beta-carotene also helps to build a sound immune system and provides necessary immune protection for the growing body. In terms of reproductive health, it supports the normal development of the reproductive system, maintains the health of reproductive cells, and is also of great significance to the normal development of the fetus during pregnancy, while meeting the nutritional needs of the mother and baby during lactation.
9. Enhanced sports performance
Beta-carotene has a significant health-promoting effect on sports enthusiasts and professional athletes. During exercise, a large number of free radicals are produced, leading to oxidative stress. Beta-carotene can effectively remove these harmful substances, reducing sports fatigue and muscle damage.
It can also promote the repair and regeneration of muscle tissue after exercise, accelerate the disappearance of inflammatory reactions, and thus shorten recovery time. By improving the oxygen supply efficiency and energy metabolism of cells, beta-carotene helps improve sports endurance and overall sports performance, allowing athletes to maintain high-intensity training for longer periods of time while reducing the risk of sports injuries.
Beta Carotene powder Industrial Uses: Transforming Multiple Sectors
Functional Advantages
- Natural coloring agent: providing vibrant orange to red hues
- Stability: under various processing conditions
- Versatility: across multiple application methods
- Consumer appeal: as a natural, health-conscious ingredient
1. Food and Beverage Applications
Food manufacturers have been relying on beta carotene powder for decades because it simply works. Whether you’re producing margarine that needs that perfect golden hue or developing a new orange-flavored beverage, beta carotene powder provides consistent coloring that consumers trust.
Many of our clients in the dairy industry use it for cheese processing, where it creates the appealing yellow-orange color consumers expect. In baking, it’s become essential for creating visually appealing products without artificial additives.
2. Nutritional Supplement Manufacturing
The supplement industry has embraced beta carotene powder for its proven health benefits. As a vitamin A precursor, it supports eye health, immune function, and provides antioxidant protection. What’s particularly appealing to formulators is its safety profile – unlike preformed vitamin A, beta carotene doesn’t pose toxicity risks at higher doses.
We’ve worked with supplement manufacturers who specifically choose beta carotene powder because it allows them to market “natural vitamin A support” – a claim that resonates strongly with health-conscious consumers. At Runtai Chemical, we understand these market dynamics and provide the quality consistency that makes such claims possible.
3. Cosmetic and Personal Care
In cosmetics, beta carotene powder serves multiple purposes. Its antioxidant properties make it valuable in anti-aging formulations, while its natural orange tint works beautifully in bronzing products and foundations. Many skincare brands incorporate it for its protective benefits against environmental stressors.
4. Animal Nutrition
The aquaculture and poultry industries rely heavily on beta carotene powder for pigmentation. Fish farmers use it to achieve the pink coloration in salmon and trout that consumers expect, while poultry producers depend on it for rich egg yolk color. It’s not just about appearance – the nutritional benefits transfer to the end products consumers purchase.
How to choose a beta carotene powder supplier
1. Quality You Can Count On
Manufacturing high-quality beta carotene powder requires precision and expertise. At Runtai Chemical, our production processes maintain strict standards because we understand that consistency matters to your business. Every batch undergoes comprehensive testing for purity, potency, and microbiological safety.
We provide complete documentation with each shipment, including Certificates of Analysis, to support your quality assurance processes. Our GMP-certified facilities ensure that what you receive meets the specifications you need for your products.
2. Formulation Flexibility
Beta carotene powder comes in various forms to suit different applications. Water-dispersible versions work well in beverages and liquid supplements, while oil-based formulations integrate seamlessly into fat-containing products. For dry applications, we offer powder forms that blend easily into mixes.
3. Stability and Shelf Life
One concern manufacturers often have is stability. Modern beta carotene powder formulations, when properly stored and handled, maintain their potency throughout typical product shelf lives. We provide stability data and storage recommendations to help you achieve optimal results.
4. Regulatory Support
Navigating international regulations can be complex. We maintain current regulatory files and can provide the documentation you need for different markets. Whether you’re shipping to Europe, Asia, or the Americas, we help ensure compliance.
Market Trends of Beta Carotene
The natural ingredients market continues growing, driven by consumer preferences for transparency and health benefits. Beta carotene powder fits perfectly into this trend because it delivers both functional and nutritional value. We’re seeing increased interest from manufacturers looking to reformulate existing products with cleaner ingredients.
Plant-based and functional foods represent particularly strong growth areas where beta carotene powder adds significant value. As more consumers seek foods that support their health goals, ingredients like beta carotene become essential components of successful formulations.
Working with Runtai Chemical
Every manufacturer has unique requirements, and we’ve built Runtai Chemical around understanding those needs. Whether you’re developing a new product line or reformulating existing products, our technical team works with you to find the right beta carotene powder solution.
We supply everything from small development quantities for R&D work to full production volumes for established products. Our global supply chain ensures consistent availability, while our quality systems provide the reliability your business demands.
Getting Started
If you’re considering beta carotene for your products, we’d welcome the opportunity to discuss your specific needs. Our team can provide samples, technical data, and application guidance to help you evaluate how beta carotene fits into your formulations.
Whether you’re looking to enhance color, add nutritional value, or meet clean-label requirements, beta carotene offers a proven solution that manufacturers worldwide trust. Let’s explore how it can work for your products.
