carotene

American  

[kar-uh-teen] / ˈkær əˌtin /

noun

1. any of three yellow or orange fat-soluble pigments having the formula C 40 H 56 , found in many plants, especially carrots, and transformed to vitamin A in the liver; provitamin A.

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carotene British  

/ ˈkærəˌtiːn, ˈkærətɪn /

noun

1. any of four orange-red isomers of an unsaturated hydrocarbon present in many plants (β-carotene is the orange pigment of carrots) and converted to vitamin A in the liver. Formula: C 40 H 56

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carotene Scientific  

/ kăr′ə-tēn′ /

1. Any of various organic compounds that occur as orange-yellow to red pigments in many plants and in animal tissue. In plant leaves, carotenes aid in the absorption of light energy by transferring the energy to chlorophyll and act as antioxidants protecting chlorophyll from damage by oxidation. In animals, carotenes are converted to vitamin A primarily in the liver. They are members of the carotenoid family of compounds and give plants such as carrots, pumpkins, and dandelions their characteristic color. Chemical formula: C ₄₀ H ₅₆ .

2. See also xanthophyll

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Etymology

Origin of carotene

1860–65; < Late Latin carōt ( a ) carrot + -ene

Example Sentences

Other ingredients include salt, monosodium glutamate, cornstarch and beta carotene for color.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 27, 2025

Then there was the federal study asking if beta carotene, a widely used antioxidant supplement, could reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease.

From New York Times • Jun. 18, 2024

The group recommended against beta carotene and vitamin E for that purpose.

From Seattle Times • May 24, 2023

Pumpkins are full of fiber and provide vitamin C, vitamin E, folate, iron, potassium, and beta carotene, which your body converts to vitamin A, so eat up!

From Salon • Oct. 22, 2022

Polyface grass-fed chickens produce eggs with more omega-3s, beta- carotene, and vitamin E. And they do it in a way that’s better for the environment.

From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan