Beta-Carotene (Natural)

Natural beta-carotene (CAS 7235-40-7, C40H56, molecular weight 536.87) is the provitamin A carotenoid recovered from biological sources rather than assembled by chemical synthesis. Thovek sources it three ways: from the halophilic microalga Dunaliella salina, cultivated in high-salinity ponds where it accumulates carotenoids; from submerged fermentation of the fungus Blakeslea trispora, for which the JECFA specification requires not less than 96 per cent total colouring matter expressed as beta-carotene, with gamma-carotene as the principal accompanying carotenoid at up to 3 per cent; and from plant oleoresins including carrot and palm fruit, traded as mixed carotenes. The pure crystal is a dark orange crystalline solid melting at about 183 degrees C with decomposition, practically insoluble in water and only sparingly soluble in vegetable oil. The commercial case for natural-origin material is compositional, and it should be specified rather than assumed. Synthetic beta-carotene is essentially all-trans; algal and plant material carries a substantial proportion of the 9-cis isomer alongside all-trans, and brings alpha-carotene, gamma-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin and beta-cryptoxanthin with it, so the certificate of analysis reports the isomer split and the accompanying carotenoid pattern batch by batch rather than quoting a fixed figure. Vitamin A contribution is calculated the same way for natural and synthetic material: 1 IU of vitamin A activity corresponds to 0.6 micrograms of beta-carotene, and in retinol activity equivalents 1 microgram RAE equals 2 micrograms of supplemental beta-carotene or 12 micrograms of beta-carotene eaten in food. The same material also functions as an orange to red-orange colouring matter under E160a / INS 160a, so buyers should tell us at enquiry whether the consignment goes in as a nutrient or as a colour, because that choice changes both the specification set and the customs treatment. Free carotene crystal is difficult to dose and highly oxidation-sensitive, so natural beta-carotene ships mainly in standardised delivery forms: 1, 10, 20 and 30 per cent cold-water-dispersible beadlets built on a modified food starch matrix, 20 and 30 per cent suspensions in refined vegetable oil for softgels and oil systems, and liquid emulsions for clear beverages. Algal, fungal and plant origins are all vegan and vegetarian, with no bovine, porcine, marine-animal, milk, egg, fish, crustacean, gluten or nut input, and non-GMO declarations are available for each source; gelatin-matrix beadlet formats, which we can supply on request, are the single exception and are not vegan. Batches are released against UV-visible and HPLC identity, assay of total and all-trans carotenoids, isomer profile, heavy metals, residual solvents and microbiological limits, with 24 months shelf life for oil suspensions and 36 months for beadlets in the unopened original container, protected from light, heat, oxygen and moisture. Export documentation includes CoA, MSDS, Certificate of Origin and allergen, GMO, BSE/TSE and halal/kosher statements.