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

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.

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

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.

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

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

Carotenoid functions
Berg_et_al-2000.
Journal_of_the_Science_of_Food_and_Agriculture

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

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.

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).

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

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.