β-Carotene is an organic, strongly colored red-orange pigment abundant in plants and fruits. It is a member of the carotenes, which are terpenoids (isoprenoids), synthesized biochemically from eight isoprene units and thus having 40 carbons. Among the carotenes, β-carotene is distinguished by having beta-rings at both ends of the molecule. β-Carotene is biosynthesized from geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate.
β-Carotene is the most common form of carotene in plants. When used as a food coloring, it has the E number E160a.:119 The structure was deduced by Karrer et al. in 1930. In nature, β-carotene is a precursor (inactive form) to vitamin A via the action of beta-carotene 15,15'-monooxygenase.
Isolation of β-carotene from fruits abundant in carotenoids is commonly done using column chromatography. It can also be extracted from the beta-carotene rich algae, Dunaliella Salina. The separation of β-carotene from the mixture of other carotenoids is based on the polarity of a compound. β-Carotene is a non-polar compound, so it is separated with a non-polar solvent such as hexane. Being highly conjugated, it is deeply colored, and as a hydrocarbon lacking functional groups, it is very lipophilic.

Chemical Name	β-carotene
Synonyms	Kpmk;beta-carotene;Daucene;Cyclohexene, 1,1'-(3,7,12,16-tetramethyl-1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17-octadecanonaene-1,18-diyl)bis[2,6,6-trimethyl-, (all-E)-;C40H56;Beta Carotene;Carotin;BetaVit;SOLATENE;Karotin;Serlabo;Collapse
CAS No.	7235-40-7
Molecular Formula	C40H56
Molecular Weight	536.87300
PSA	0.00000
LogP	12.60580

UNII	01YAE03M7J

Appearance & Physical State	Dark red power or crystal
Density	0.941g/cm3
Boiling Point	654.7ºC at 760 mmHg
Melting Point	178-179ºC
Flash Point	346ºC
Refractive Index	1.565
Stability	Stable, but sensitive to air, heat and light. Store at -20ºC under nitrogen. Pyrophoric - may ignite spontaneously in air at room temperature.
Storage Condition	-20ºC
Vapor Pressure	2.71E-16mmHg at 25°C

Hazard Class	4.1
Safety Statements	S7-S15-S18
HS Code	2932999099
Packing Group	II; III
Risk Statements	R44
Hazard Codes	Xn
Supplemental Hazard Statements	Risk of explosion if heated under confinement.