Carotene

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Carotenes, a subgroup of the larger carotenoid group of chemicals, are hydrophobic, highly unsaturated compounds with a variety of beneficial health effects due to their antioxidant properties. Both ${\displaystyle \alpha }$-carotene and ${\displaystyle \beta }$-carotene are chemical precursors of vitamin A. They are structurally very similar to a number of other carotenoids including lutein, zeaxanthin, cryptoxanthin and lycopene.

Alpha-carotene[edit]

© Image: David E. Volk
${\displaystyle \alpha }$-carotene.

Beta-carotene[edit]

© Image: David E. Volk
${\displaystyle \beta }$-carotene.