Beta-Carotene: A Guide to Its Benefits and Sources

Beta-carotene is one of the carotenoids, an orange-yellow fat-soluble compound, which is the most ubiquitous and stable natural pigment in nature. Beta-carotene has high pharmacological and nutritional value, and has been widely used in medicine, beta carotene foods, food additives, cosmetics and animal feed industries.

Physical and chemical properties:

Beta-carotene is one of the most common isomers of carotene. The pure product is a reddish purple to dark red crystalline powder with a slight odor. The dilute solution is orange or yellow; Unstable to light, heat and oxygen, not acid resistant, but relatively stable to weak alkaline; Heavy metal ions, especially Fe3+, can make it fade. It has good coloring performance for oily food. It is a synthetic orange-yellow pigment that can be eaten, has vitamin activity, and is safer than other synthetic colorants.

Function:

1. β-carotene has independent physiological effects unrelated to vitamin A, which can enhance information transmission between cells;

2. Beta carotene is an antioxidant that cuts off the chain reaction and can eliminate toxic oxygen free radicals in the animal body;

3. Beta carotene can improve animal immunity, resist the invasion of bacteria and viruses, and improve the survival rate of animals;

4. Beta carotene can promote animal’s growth, improve reproductive performance, especially on female livestock, poultry;

5. Beta-carotene has a natural yellow or orange color and is also an effective colorant.

Practical application:

1. Improve product value, stimulate animal appetite: The purpose of adding colorants in feed is to increase the color of livestock, poultry and aquaculture animal products, such as the butter color of milk, the yolk and skin color of poultry eggs, and the feather color of birds. In addition, it can also change the color of the feed through the colorant to stimulate the appetite of livestock and poultry.

2. Improve animal immunity: Beta-carotene can exert antioxidant properties, thereby improving the animal’s immune capacity. Animals produce some highly active oxygen-containing molecules in the normal metabolic process, such as free radicals, hydrogen peroxide, etc. β-carotene can regulate the concentration of free radicals and hydrogen peroxide in cells, thereby improving the immunity of animals.

3. Enhance animal’s reproductive performance: Supplementation of a certain amount of beta-carotene to bulls can increase the number of sperm production and improve sperm motility. Beta-carotene is also very important for cows. A deficiency of beta vitamin in cows can lead to weak estrus, delayed ovulation, frequent follicular cysts, low conception rate, early pregnancy abortion, and in severe cases, can lead to reproductive disorders and placental arrest.

4. Promote the growth of Chinese soft-shelled turtle: β-carotene feed additive can enhance the disease resistance of turtle, promote the growth of turtle, improve meat quality, reduce feed cost, improve feed efficiency, and no residue, no drug resistance and other advantages, can make the produced turtle pollution-free, high nutritional value and good flavor, so it will be increasingly widely used.

Storage requirements:

Beta carotene supplementation should be kept in a cool and dry place, avoid direct sunlight and humidity, to avoid beta carotene weathering, deterioration and degradation, affecting the nutritional value and effect of feed.