1854. γ-Carotene

Nomenclature

CAS number: 472-93-5
C40H56; mol wt 536.87.
C 89.49%, H 10.51%.

Description and references

A rare carotenoid. Has provitamin A activity. Best source is Penicillium sclerotiorum: Mase et al., Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 68, 150 (1957). Also present in small proportions in many plant materials, esp fruits containing β-carotene. Chromatographic isoln from crude carotenes: Kuhn, Brockmann, Ber. 66, 407 (1933); Winterstein, Z. Physiol. Chem. 219, 249 (1933). Structure: Kuhn, Brockmann, loc. cit.; Naturwissenschaften 21, 44 (1933). Synthesis: Garbers et al., Helv. Chim. Acta 36, 1783 (1953); Ruegg et al., ibid. 44, 985 (1961).

Chemical structure

Properties

Probably crystallizes in polymorphous forms. Synthetic form: red plates, mp 152-153.5°. Absorption max (petr ether): 437, 462, 494 nm (E1%1cm 2055, 3100, 2720). Natural form: minute, deep-red prisms with bluish luster from benzene + methanol. mp 177.5°. Absorption max (chloroform): 508.5, 475, 446 nm. Somewhat less sol than β-carotene. Store in darkness in sealed ampoules at low temps (0°C).

Therapeutic Category

Vitamin A precursor.

Therapeutic Category (Veterinary)

Vitamin A precursor for all species except cats.

Keywords

Vitamin/Vitamin Source; Vitamin A