Product Overview
Beta Carotene Powder is a naturally derived carotenoid pigment and provitamin A precursor extracted from carrot (Daucus carota) root. Recognized across the food, nutraceutical, feed, and pharmaceutical industries, beta carotene remains one of the most commercially significant and scientifically validated plant-derived colorants and nutritional ingredients available on the global B2B market.
At Extract Makers, we supply pharmaceutical-grade and food-grade beta carotene powder in multiple standardized concentrations, formulated to meet the demanding requirements of manufacturers, brand owners, contract formulators, and wholesale distributors worldwide.
Available Specifications
Extract Makers offers beta carotene powder in the following standardized grades:
- Beta Carotene 1%
- Beta Carotene 10%
- Beta Carotene 20%
Custom concentrations and formulation-specific grades are available upon request. Each batch is manufactured under strict quality control protocols and verified through third-party analytical testing.
What Is Beta Carotene?
Beta carotene (β-carotene) is a member of the carotenoid family — a group of naturally occurring fat-soluble pigments synthesized by plants, algae, and certain fungi. As the most abundant and biologically active precursor to vitamin A (retinol) in the human diet, beta carotene plays a critical role in nutritional supplementation, functional food formulation, and preventive health product development.
Structurally, beta carotene is a symmetrical tetraterpene composed of eight isoprene units with an extended conjugated double-bond chain, which is responsible for its characteristic orange-yellow to deep red coloration and its antioxidant activity.
Source and Raw Material Origin
Our beta carotene powder is derived from high-quality carrot root, sourced from controlled agricultural regions with consistent crop quality and traceability from farm to finished ingredient. The raw material undergoes rigorous incoming quality inspection before entering the extraction process, ensuring that only material meeting our internal specifications is used in production.
Extraction and Production Process
Beta carotene powder is produced using solvent extraction technology, employing food-grade solvents under carefully controlled temperature and pressure conditions to preserve carotenoid integrity. Following extraction, the crude carotenoid concentrate undergoes:
- Purification to remove unwanted plant matrix components
- Concentration to achieve the target active content
- Microencapsulation or adsorption onto food-grade carriers (for powder formulations)
- Standardization to confirm potency via HPLC and UV-Vis analysis
- Spray drying or blending to achieve optimal particle size distribution and flowability
The result is a free-flowing, stable powder with consistent color, potency, and performance across batches.
Physical and Chemical Properties
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Orange-yellow to dark red free-flowing powder |
| Solubility | Soluble in acetone, chloroform, petroleum ether, benzene, and vegetable oils |
| Insolubility | Insoluble in water, propylene glycol, and glycerol |
| Partial solubility | Slightly soluble in methanol and ethanol |
| Nature | Fat-soluble carotenoid pigment |
| CAS Number | 7235-40-7 |
| Molecular Formula | C₄₀H₅₆ |
| Molecular Weight | 536.87 g/mol |
Understanding the solubility profile of beta carotene is critical for formulators. As a lipophilic compound, beta carotene is most effectively incorporated into oil-based delivery systems, emulsified formulations, softgel capsules, and fat-containing food matrices. Water-dispersible forms and microencapsulated versions can be used in aqueous applications such as beverages, dairy products, and water-soluble supplement blends.
Certificate of Analysis — Beta Carotene 20%
The following Certificate of Analysis represents a representative batch of our Beta Carotene 20% grade, tested in accordance with USP and Ph.Eur. standards:
| Test Item | Method | Specification | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loss on Drying | USP <731> | < 8.0% | 1.70% |
| Particle Size — Sieve No.40 | USP <786> / Ph.Eur. 2.9.12 | ≥ 85% pass | 93% |
| Particle Size — Sieve No.100 | USP <786> / Ph.Eur. 2.9.12 | < 15% pass | 3% |
| Total Moulds & Yeasts | USP <2021> / Ph.Eur. 2.6.12 | ≤ 100 cfu/g | < 10 cfu/g |
| Escherichia coli | USP <2021> / Ph.Eur. 2.6.13 | Not detected / 10g | Certified |
| Staphylococcus aureus | USP <2021> / Ph.Eur. 2.6.13 | Not detected / 10g | Certified |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | USP <2021> / Ph.Eur. 2.6.13 | Not detected / 10g | Certified |
All analytical testing is conducted using internationally recognized pharmacopeial methods, ensuring that our beta carotene powder meets the highest safety and quality benchmarks accepted by global regulatory bodies.
Functional Properties and Health Benefits
Beta carotene powder serves multiple functional roles that make it highly versatile across product categories:
Natural Colorant
Beta carotene imparts a warm orange-yellow hue to food and beverage products, making it an effective natural alternative to synthetic colorants such as FD&C Yellow No. 6. Its color intensity scales with concentration, providing formulation flexibility.
Provitamin A Activity
As the most potent provitamin A carotenoid, beta carotene is enzymatically converted to retinol (vitamin A) in the body, supporting visual function, immune system health, skin integrity, and normal cell differentiation. This makes it a preferred active ingredient in vitamin A fortification programs.
Antioxidant Function
The extended conjugated double-bond system in beta carotene enables it to quench singlet oxygen and scavenge free radicals, contributing to oxidative stress reduction. This antioxidant property is valued in both nutritional supplement formulations and functional food applications.
Nutritional Enhancement
Beta carotene powder is widely recognized as a nutritional enhancer and is used in fortified food programs, infant nutrition, clinical nutrition products, and general wellness supplements.
Industry Applications
Beta carotene powder has broad applicability across multiple industries:
Food and Beverage
- Natural coloring agent in margarine, butter, cheese, juices, and confectionery
- Fortification of breakfast cereals, dairy products, and snack foods
- Functional ingredient in health-positioned food and beverage products
Dietary Supplements and Nutraceuticals
- Softgel capsules and tablets as standalone provitamin A supplements
- Multivitamin and antioxidant blend formulations
- Skin health, eye health, and immunity-focused supplement products
- Sports nutrition and wellness product lines
Animal Feed and Aquaculture
- Pigmentation enhancement in poultry, fish, and crustacean feed
- Nutritional fortification in livestock and aquaculture applications
- Improved egg yolk coloration and skin pigmentation in poultry
Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics
- Topical and oral formulations targeting vitamin A deficiency
- Skin care products promoting antioxidant protection and UV defense
- Cosmeceutical applications leveraging anti-aging and skin-brightening properties
Quality Standards and Certifications
Extract Makers manufactures beta carotene powder in a GMP-certified production facility that adheres to internationally recognized quality and safety management systems. Our certifications include:
- GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice)
- HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points)
- ISO 22000 (Food Safety Management System)
- ISO 9001 (Quality Management System)
- Kosher Certified
- Halal Certified
- FDA Facility Registration
These certifications reflect our commitment to producing ingredients that consistently meet global regulatory requirements for food safety, pharmaceutical-grade purity, and supply chain transparency. Each production batch is supported by a full documentation package including Certificate of Analysis, Safety Data Sheet (SDS), and relevant compliance documentation.
Formulation Compatibility and Stability
Beta carotene powder is inherently sensitive to light, heat, and oxidative conditions. Our powder forms are engineered to optimize stability through protective encapsulation or adsorption technologies. Key formulation guidelines include:
- Fat-based systems: Ideal for direct incorporation into oils, emulsions, and lipid-based delivery formats
- Encapsulated/dispersible forms: Suitable for dry blending, tablet compression, and water-dispersible applications
- Avoid: Direct exposure to strong oxidizing agents, high-intensity UV light, and extreme processing temperatures
- Synergy: Compatible with antioxidant co-ingredients such as vitamin E (tocopherols) and vitamin C, which may enhance oxidative stability in formulations
Storage Recommendations
To maintain potency and color integrity throughout the shelf life period:
- Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight and moisture
- Recommended storage temperature: below 25°C (77°F)
- Keep containers tightly sealed after opening to minimize oxidative degradation
- Shelf life: 24 months (2 years) from date of manufacture when stored under recommended conditions
Packaging Specifications
Extract Makers offers flexible packaging configurations to accommodate both sample evaluation and large-scale commercial procurement:
| Order Volume | Packaging Format |
|---|---|
| Sample | 10g – 20g sealed foil pouch |
| Small / Mid-scale | 1kg – 5kg aluminum foil bags |
| Commercial | 10kg – 20kg export cartons |
| Bulk | 10kg – 30kg fiber drums |
Private Label Packaging
For brand owners, distributors, and retailers requiring finished product presentation, we offer customized private label packaging services. Our team can produce packaging incorporating your brand logo, product name, label design, and compliance information — eliminating the need for in-house printing and manual repackaging. This service is particularly well-suited for companies launching or expanding retail supplement lines.
Free Sample Policy
Extract Makers provides complimentary samples (typically 10g–20g per product) to qualified buyers for quality evaluation and formulation testing purposes. Sample requests for standard-grade products are generally accommodated without charge; samples of high-specification or premium-grade materials may require cost confirmation prior to dispatch.
We encourage procurement managers, R&D formulators, and product development teams to request samples before committing to full purchase orders.
Shipping and Logistics
Extract Makers ships globally with flexible logistics options tailored to order size and destination:
- Small and sample orders (below 1 metric ton): DHL, FedEx, UPS, EMS, and equivalent international express courier services
- Large commercial orders: Sea freight (FCL/LCL) or international railway freight where applicable
We provide full shipping documentation including commercial invoice, packing list, Certificate of Origin, and phytosanitary or health certificates as required by the destination country.
After-Sales Support and Quality Guarantee
We stand behind the quality of every shipment. Our after-sales commitment includes:
- 2-year product quality guarantee within the stated shelf life
- Hassle-free return policy: If products fail to meet confirmed specifications, we offer refunds proportional to the returned quantity
- Dedicated account support for order tracking, documentation requests, and technical inquiries
Our goal is to establish long-term supply partnerships built on consistent quality, transparent communication, and responsive service.
Request a Quote or Free Sample
For pricing inquiries, specification sheets, bulk order quotations, or sample requests, contact the Extract Makers team directly:
📧 Email: [email protected]
Our product portfolio encompasses more than 2,000 plant extracts, nutritional ingredients, and specialty raw materials — many of which are not individually listed on our website. If you are sourcing a specific ingredient and cannot locate it in our catalog, please reach out directly and our team will advise on availability, lead time, and pricing.
