CAROTENE

CHARACTERISTICS

• Carotene is also known as pro protein
• It is obtained from plants
• It is based on three isomers

• ALPHA ISOMERS 15%
• BETA ISOMERS 8.5%
• GAMA ISOMERS 0.1 %

STABILITY

• It is present in the form of red colored crystals like ruby and rapidly dissociate in open air.

METING POINT

• ALPHA ISOMERS 188 degree Celsius
• BETA ISOMERS  184 degree Celsius
• GEMA ISOMERS 178 degree Celsius

SOLUBILITY

• It is highly soluble in chloroform, ether and benzene
• Less soluble in alcohol and insoluble in water

SOURCE

• It is obtained from palm oil, carrots, soya bean oil, corn oil and alfalfa

USES

• It is used in pharmaceutical industry, food products and feeds  

• Also used in margarine and butter