CAROTENOIDS like β-CAROTENE are chromophores with red, orange, and yellow pigments. Beta-carotene and other carotenoids are converted to Vitamin A and provide approximately 50% of the Vitamin A needed in the average diet. Beta-carotene can be found in fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers, and whole grains. β-Carotene has been shown to prevent certain cancers, heart disease, cataracts, and age related macular degeneration (AMD); and to treat skin disorders including psoriasis and vitiligo. Some people who sunburn easily use beta-carotene to reduce the risk of sunburn. Carotene is the substance in carrots, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, mangoes, and papayas, that colors them orange and is the most common form of carotene in plants. The color of β-carotene is masked by chlorophyll in green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale. β-Carotene is a strongly colored red-orange pigment abundant in plants and especially fruits. It is an organic compound and chemically is classified as a terpenoid. It is a member of the carotenes, which are tetraterpenes, produced biochemically from eight isoprene units and thus having 40 carbons. Absorption of β-carotene is enhanced if eaten with fats, as carotenes are fat soluble. Topically, β-carotene is often applied via vegetable oils, as in Calendula Flower Oil which is made from Calendula officinalis flowers extracted in a vegetable oil base which turns bright orange as it extracts the carotenoids from the flower petals. Apollo Botanica produces solar-infused organic almond-oil based Calendula Flower Oil for our Apollo Botanica ULTRA MOISTURE SERUM where it is blended with Mango Butter, Rosehip Seed, Carrot Seed, & Helichrysum Oils (see photo). Lycopene is another carotenoid, named from the Latin name for the tomato species, Lycopersicum. Lycopene is a bright red carotenoid pigment found in tomatoes and other red fruits, including Sea Buckthorn berries. Although lycopene is chemically a carotene, it has no vitamin A activity, but is known for its deep red color and its antioxidant activity. Lycopene is insoluble in water, and can be dissolved only in organic solvents and oils. Lycopene performs various functions in photosynthesis, and protects photosynthetic organisms from excessive light damage. Lycopene is a key intermediate in the biosynthesis of many important carotenoids, such as orange beta-carotene, and yellow xanthophylls. Fruits that are high in lycopene include autumn olive, gac, tomatoes, persimmons, watermelon, pink grapefruit, pink guava, papaya, sea buckthorn, goji/wolfberry and rosehip. Apollo Botanica Aeternal Youth Serum contains organic Sea Buckthorn Oil which is high in antioxidant lycopene, imparting a reddish-orange color to this antioxidant line and wrinkle serum.
Posted on: Mon, 05 Jan 2015 19:35:13 +0000
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