Farbe Naturals

Natural Beta Carotene vs Synthetic Betacarotene.

Written by Luis Zuñiga | May 4, 2020 6:36:21 PM

 

In many cases the Natural Food Color are not the ones that we are looking for. Specially, the B-Carotene many times can be confusing for customers, specially when the customers needs and wants all natural for their product, the provider of natural colors give them synthetic Beta Carotene because is hard to distinguish one of the other. in FARBE NATURALS always give comply with the customer needs.  

Vitamin A deficiency has been related with a number of ailments, due to which B-Carotene has been used as a supplement to help combat deficiency due to its pro-vitamin A activity. 

Synthetic B-Carotene contains all-trans-B-Carotene and is commercially cheaper. However, Synthetic B-Carotene undergoes chemical processing, and is highly unstable where the trans-isomers are easily isomerized into cis-isomers, thereby reducing the potential of its pro-vitamin A activity. Trans-B-carotene immediately undergoes thermal & chemical oxidation, isomerization & photosensitization when exposed to oxygen, light and high temperature during processing & storage. 

Natural B-Carotene from D. Salina contains 53% trans-B-Carotene and 47% cis-B-carotene. It is presently the most commercially available source of Natural B-Carotene. However, D. Salina undergoes biosynthesis in large open tanks that are highly susceptible to environmental factors, due to which they may accumulate a treat amount of contaminants such as heavy metals. Further processing of pure B-Carotene from D-Salina results in an oleoresin, which is more difficult to process and obtain uniform formulations & delivery system of B-Carotene. 

Natural B-Carotene from B. Trispora has gathered a lot of attention due to its ability to grow well in standard fermentations of liquid media. It predominantly consist of trans-isomers (<93%) with variable amounts of cis-isomers, and is processed from B. trispora in a closer reactor to produce pure B-Carotene crystals. These crystals are easier to handle & formulate, and provide the necessary uniformity in the desired delivery system. Natural B-Carotene exhibits a higher bioavailability compared to the synthetically manufactured analog B-Carotene. 

Human serum contains largely all-trans-B-carotene with only small or negligible amounts of cis-B-carotene after the ingestion of the BC isomers. All trans B-Carotene, in particular, has received the most attention because it can be effectively metabolized to its all-trans retinoic acid isomer, which is active in gene regulation. 

When compared to Synthetic B-Carotene, Natural B-Carotene from B-Trispora:

  • Is more stable due to the presence of trans (primary) and cis (secondary) isomers.
  • Is more clean-label
  • Is more bioavailable
  • Does not possess a risk to smokers

When compared to Natural B-Carotene from D. Salina, Natural B-Carotene from B. Trispora:

  • Has higher pro-vitamin A activity due to a higher content of trans-isomers
  • Is more clean-label with much lower chances of contamination, and is not affected by external environmental factors since processing is carried out in an enclosed reactor. 
  • Is more suitable for variety of delivery systems and provides uniformity % consistency, since it is obtained from pure B-Carotene crystals and not oleoresin.
  • Has lower cost per dose due to higher provitamin A activity.