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  α {\displaystyle \alpha } -carotene and  β {\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]

(C) Image: David E. Volk
α {\displaystyle \alpha } -carotene.

## Beta-carotene[edit]

(C) Image: David E. Volk
β {\displaystyle \beta } -carotene.