Introduction

Beta-carotene is the molecule that gives carrots their orange colour.It is part of a family of chemicals called the carotenoids, which are found in many fruit and vegetables, as well as some animal products such as egg yolks. Biologically, beta-carotene is most important as the precursor of vitamin A.It also has anti-oxidant properties and may help in preventing cancer and other diseases.
Beta Carotene is also known as a provitamin because it can be converted in our body into vitamin A after oxidative cleavage by beta-carotene 15, 150-dioxygenase. In plants, beta-carotene, acts as an anti-oxidant and neutralizes singlet oxygen radicals formed during photosynthesis.