Beta-carotene is a pigment, belonging to a family of naturally occurring yellow, orange and red pigments, which are collectively called as
carotenoids, found in various fruits, cruciferous, yellow and dark - green vegetables and also abundantly in algae such as Dunaliella salina.
Natural Beta-carotene is used in Health Care in two ways:
As Pro -Vitamin A, which is due to its ability to be converted to Vitamin A as and when the body requires, and as an antioxidant, which protects against cell and tissue damage by scavenging free radicals. This dual function of Natural Beta-carotene is due to the presence of Cis and Trans Beta-carotene isomers. Synthetic Beta-Carotene has only All-trans Beta-carotene. This inherent disadvantage of synthetic Beta-carotene has led many users to use Dunaliella, which is the best source of Natural Beta-Carotene with a high Cis-Trans Beta-carotene ratio (25:75).
Dunaliella Salina is single celled, saline microalgae that accumulate massive amounts of carotenoids under appropriate growth conditions. Natural Mixed Carotenoids found in Dunaliella Salina are among nature's best antioxidants, containing a variety of carotenoids including Beta-carotene, Alpha-carotene and Xanthophylls like Zeaxanthin, Cryptoxanthin and Lutein hence the name “Natural Mixed Carotenoids”.
Parry's Natural Mixed Carotenoids contains both 9-cis and All-trans isomers:
All-trans isomers exhibit Vitamin A activity and 9-cis provides potent antioxidant activity.