β-Carotene is an organic compound - a terpenoid, a red-orange pigment abundant in plants and fruits. As a carotene with β-rings at both ends, it is the most common form of carotene. It is a precursor (inactive form) of vitamin A.Being highly conjugated, it is deeply colored, and as a hydrocarbon lacking functional groups, it is very lipophilic.
The structure was deduced by Karrer et al.[2] In nature, β-carotene is a precursor to vitamin A via the action of beta-carotene 15,15´-monooxygenase. β-Carotene is also the substance in carrots that colours them orange. β-Carotenoid is biosynthesized from geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate
| Product name | β-Carotene |
| Molar mass | 536.87 g mol−1 |
| Appearance | red-purple solid |
| Density | 0.941 ± 0.06 g/cm3 |
| Melting point | 180-182 °C |
| Solubility in water | Insoluble in cold water or hot water. Soluble in diethyl ether, acetone, benzene, chloroform, carbon disulfide. Moderately soluble in petroleium ether, oils.Very slightly soluble in methanol. Soluble in fat solvents |