Apocarotenal is a carotenoid derived from beta-carotene.

The name describes the structure of the molecule.

• Apo indicates a derived or modified form of a molecule. In the context of carotenoids, "apo" refers to molecules that have been formed by removing a portion of the original carotenoid.
• Carotenal refers to carotenoids, a class of natural pigments found in many plants and responsible for various colors, such as red, orange, and yellow.

Description of raw materials used in production.

• The primary raw materials for the production of apocarotenal are beta-carotene (mainly extracted from plant sources like algae, fungi, or plants) and oxidizing agents.

Step-by-step summary of its industrial production process.

• Beta-carotene is extracted from plant sources using methods like chromatography or distillation.
• The extracted beta-carotene is then subjected to oxidation to form apocarotenal and other degradation products.
• The product is purified through various filtration and chromatography processes to obtain pure apocarotenal.

It appears as a reddish-orange liquid or crystals.

Commercial applications:

Food Coloring. Apocarotenal is used as a natural colorant in many foods, providing shades ranging from orange to yellow.

Vitamin A Supplement. It can be converted to vitamin A in the body, and thus it is often used as a source of this vitamin in dietary supplements.

Cosmetic Industry. Apocarotenal is used in some cosmetic products for its coloring properties.

Antioxidant. It exhibits antioxidant properties that can help protect cells from free radical damage.

Beverage Industry. Used for coloring beverages such as juices and soft drinks.

Research. It's being investigated for potential applications in medications and other products.

• Molecular Formula  C₃₀H₄₀O
• Molecular Weight  416.6 g/mol
• CAS  1107-26-2
• UNII    V22N3E2U32
• EC Number  235-767-2
• DTXSID20883251
• Nikkaji   J1.244.239D

Synonyms:

CI 40215

8'-Apo-beta-carotenal

beta-apo-8'-carotenal

C.I. Food Orange 6