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Carotenes

Limited risk
Alternate Names:
  • alpha carotene
  • gamma carotene
Info from food-info.net:
  • Description:
    • Function:
      • Water-insoluble food colour whose colour ranges from yellow to orange, depending on the solvent used for extraction.
    • Origin:
      • Natural colour isolated from several plants; however, it is obtained commercially from carrots. Carotenes occur as isomers, consisting of a series of chemically identical, but sterically different components. The actual composition differs between the plant species.
    • Side effects:
      • No side effects known in the concentrations used in foods. High concentrations will result in yellow discoloration of the skin. As carotene is a source of vitamin A (2 parts of carotene equal 1 part of vitamin A), high concentrations will cause symptoms of vitamin A toxicity.
    Dietary restrictions:
    • None; E160a can be consumed by all religious groups, vegans and vegetarians.
    Acceptable daily intake:
    • Up to 5 mg/kg body weight for E160a (i), whereas none has been determined for the other compounds.
    Status:
    • Unknown
Info from proe.info:
  • Description:
    • Benefits:
      • Unknown
    • General:
      • Food additive E160a (carotenes) belongs to the group of coloring substances - carotenoids, labeled in the food industry as additive E160.The term "Carotene" derives its name from the word "carota" - carrot. It is an orange pigment that is formed during plant photosynthesis. Carotenes color fruits and vegetables in orange and yellow hues. They are not produced in the human and animal bodies.Carotene is found in carrots, apricots, melons, persimmons, cabbage, parsley, pumpkin, sweet potato, and mango. Generally, the higher the intensity of the orange color in a product, the more carotene it contains. Food additive E160a is a provitamin of vitamin A. It is insoluble in water but can dissolve in fats and organic solvents. In the industry, the E160a colorant is either extracted from carotene-rich products or synthesized chemically. There are two subtypes of the additive based on the production method:E160a(i) - synthetic beta-carotene;E160a(ii) - extract of natural carotene.Synthetic carotene is supplied from the USA. Natural carotene is produced in Spain (from specific mushrooms) or Australia (from dried seaweed). The E160a food coloring is also derived from carrots, red palm oil, and corn seeds. The source of additive E160a can also be other plants and certain types of bacteria.There are two main forms of carotenes: alpha-carotene (α-carotene) and beta-carotene (β-carotene). Additionally, there are gamma, delta, epsilon, and zeta carotenes (γ, δ, ε, and ζ-carotene), but they have not gained widespread use. Alpha and beta carotene molecules are almost identical, differing only in the positions of double bonds in the end ring of the molecule.The chemical formula of carotene is С40H56.Effects on the bodyBenefitsCarotene is an essential element that serves as the main source of vitamin A. Therefore, the E160a additive:Acts as an antioxidant;Slows down the aging process;Helps prevent a decline in cognitive functions.Beta-carotene is prescribed to individuals with increased light sensitivity.Consuming beta-carotene as part of products containing food additive E160a does not pose any harm to the body due to the small doses and the body's ability to convert carotene into the essential vitamin A.RisksExcessive carotene intake can be harmful and lead to the development of carotenemia. However, carotene has low toxicity, so this condition is not dangerous. The main manifestation of excess carotene in the body is a change in skin color (turning orange). Carotene can be deposited in fatty tissues and the liver (human fat has a yellowish hue due to carotene accumulation). Additionally, unprocessed carotene in animal bodies can impart a yellowish color to cow's milk and the products derived from it (cottage cheese, butter, sour cream).It is not recommended to actively use the E160a food additive for individuals at risk of developing cancer, smokers, alcohol abusers, and workers in the absinthe industry. According to research published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, excessive consumption of beta-carotene in food increases the risk of cancer in these groups. However, there are no studies that demonstrate the same risk for the general population as a whole.UsageIn the food industry, beta-carotene is used as a safe coloring agent for various products, including:Juices and beverages;Confectionery;Butter and margarine;Certain types of cheese;Canned vegetables;Cereal products;Jams, jellies, and marmalades;Fruit processing products;Meat products such as sausages, sardines, pâtés, cooked meats.In addition to the food industry, beta-carotene is used in nanotechnology and medicine.LegislationAdditive E160a is permitted for use in food products in Russia, Ukraine, and many other countries.
    • Harm:
      • Unknown
    • Legal:
      • Unknown
    • Use:
      • Unknown
    • Links:
      • Unknown
    Dietary restrictions:
    • Unknown
    Acceptable daily intake:
    • Unknown
    Status:
    • Unknown
ninamvseeno.org -- site no longer live
  • Description:
      • Unknown
    Dietary restrictions:
    • Unknown
    Acceptable daily intake:
    • not limited or determined (EFSA, 2012)
    Status:
    • Approved in the EU. Only beta-carotene is approved in the US.
References: