Here are short answers to your questions on carotenoids: 1. Carotenoids are yellow, orange or red pigments found in plants and algae. They are lipophilic and soluble in oils. Upon heating, acid or light, they may isomerize. 2. Carotenoids are classified into carotenes and xanthophylls. Carotenes like alpha-carotene and beta-carotene contain no oxygen. Xanthophylls like lutein and zeaxanthin contain oxygen. 3. Alpha- and beta-carotene are carotenes. They are antioxidants and beta-carotene can be converted to vitamin A. 4. Lyc

1. CAROTENOIDS
Dr.U.Srinivasa, , Professor and Head
Department of Pharmacognosy
Srinivas college of Pharmacy,
Mangalore 574143
Email.ID drsrinivaspharmacy@rediffmail.com

3. Carotenoids
Carotenoid, are the group of non-nitrogenous ,
yellow, orange, or red pigments (biochromes)
that are almost universally distributed in living
things.
Carotenoids also called tetraterpenoids, are
organic pigments that are produced by plants
and algae, as well as several bacteria and fungi.

4. Carotenoids
Are the various yellow, orange, red and green
pigments that are found in many fruits and
vegetables.
There are over 600 known carotenoids;

5. They are split into two classes, xanthophylls
(which contain oxygen) and carotenes (which
are purely hydrocarbons, and contain no
oxygen).
All are derivatives of tetraterpenes, meaning
that they are produced from 8 isoprene
molecules and contain 40 carbon atoms.

6. Physical properties
• All carotenoids are lipophilic compounds and
thus are soluble in oils and organic solvents
• They can be isomerized by heat, acid, light
• Many carotenoids exhibit spectral shifts with
various reagents and these spectral changes
are used for identification

7. Chemical properties
• Carotenoids are easily oxidized because of
large number of conjugated double bonds
Such reactions cause color loss of carotenoids in
foods
• Destability of a particular pigment to oxidation
is
highly dependent on its environment

8. Carotenoids classified into two classes:
Carotenes:
(which are purely hydrocarbons, and contain no
oxygen)
Examples - alpha-carotene, beta-carotene,
lycopene
Xanthophylls:
(which contain oxygen)
Examples - beta-cryptoxanthin , Lutein ,
zeaxanthin
TYPES OF CAROTENOIDS

9. All are derivatives of tetraterpenes, meaning
that they are produced from 8 isoprene
molecules and contain 40 carbon atoms.

10. Carotenoid functions
Berg_et_al-2000.
Journal_of_the_Science_of_Food_and_Agriculture

11. Diets high in carotenoid-
rich fruits and vegetables
are associated with
reduced risk of:
Cardiovascular disease
some cancers
many other chronic
diseases
Why we do need Carotenoid?
Eat Orange, Red, or Yellow Food

12. LYCOPENE
Lycopene is a member
of the carotenoid
family, and it is the
naturally occurring
compound that gives
the characteristic red
color to the tomato,
watermelon, pink
grapefruit, and orange.

13. Xanthophylls
The other type of carotenoid, are oxygen-
containing molecules ( Xanthophylls )
Source : Found in dark leafy greens such as
spinach and kale, as well as broccoli.
Uses : Xanthophylls are also antioxidants, and
two in particular have great importance in the
health of our eyes. (cataracts and macular
degeneration).

15. beta-carotene.
One of the more familiar carotenes is beta-
carotene.
Beta-carotene is known as a provitamin A
carotene because it can be converted by the
body to a usable form of vitamin A.
Source:
In fact, many of these orange (Carrot) and
yellow foods are the primary source of vitamin

17. Short answers:
1. Define and write the properties of
Carotenoids.
2. Classify Carotenoids with examples.
3. Write the chemical nature and uses of α and β
Carotenes.
4. Add a note on Lycopene.
5. Note on xanthophylls
6. Write the uses of carotenoids.