Beta Carotene
Description
Beta Carotene (CAS 7235-40-7), also known by its E number E160a, is a natural pigment and provitamin A precursor sourced from both synthetic and natural origins.
It delivers orange-to-yellow coloration across food, supplement, and cosmetic applications while also functioning as an antioxidant to extend product shelf life in various formulations.
In food and beverage manufacturing, it colors margarine, dairy products, juices, and baked goods to consistent orange-yellow hues without synthetic dye labeling concerns for manufacturers.
Supplement and pharmaceutical producers use it as a provitamin A source in softgels, tablets, and fortified nutritional products targeting vitamin A intake for health-conscious consumers.
In personal care, it is incorporated into skin creams, self-tanning formulations, and color cosmetics for both pigmentation and antioxidant protection of the base formula during storage.
Functional food and nutraceutical formulators also use it to meet clean-label and natural-origin positioning requirements in product development for modern global markets.
Beta Carotene is supplied as a fine powder, water-dispersible beadlets, oil suspension, or emulsified liquid concentrate depending on the target application and manufacturing process.
Standard grades include food-grade and USP specifications, with natural and synthetic variants available. Beadlet forms are commonly stocked for dry blending in supplement applications.
Physical Properties
| Melting Point | 183 °C |
| Boiling Point | 654.7 °C @ Press: 760 Torr |
| Density | 1.00 g/cm³ @ Temp: 20 °C |
| Flash Point | 103 °C |
| Appearance | solid |
| Color | red to purple |
| Form | powder |
| Water Solubility | Soluble in hexane, dimethyl sulfoxide, benzene, chloroform, cyclohexane. Insoluble in water. |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.004Pa at 25℃ |
| Refractive Index | 1.5630 (estimate) |
| Log P | 6.5 at 40℃ and pH6.5 |
Trade & Regulatory
| HS Code | 29362100 |
| Storage Class | 11 - Combustible Solids |
| WGK (Germany) | 1 |
Documentation
Other Names
β-carotene|1,3,3-trimethyl-2-[(1e,3e,5e,7e,9e,11e,13e,15e,17e)-3,7,12,16-tetramethyl-18-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexen-1-yl)octadeca-1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17-nonaenyl]cyclohexene|beta-carotene
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