β-Carotene Powder

Jiuyuan Biotech is a leading manufacturer and bulk supplier of high-purity β-Carotene Powder, designed specifically for B2B buyers in the USA, Europe, and worldwide. With over 13 years of production experience and an annual capacity exceeding 6,000 tons, we provide reliable, scalable, and fully certified solutions for nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and animal feed applications.

Our β-Carotene Powder is derived from controlled natural sources, primarily carrot and other carotenoid-rich plants, ensuring superior purity, color consistency, and provitamin A content. Every batch undergoes rigorous quality control, backed by certifications including cGMP, ISO22000, FSSC22000, ISO9001, HACCP, Halal, and Kosher, making it ideal for industrial-scale production that demands regulatory compliance and product traceability.

Features for B2B buyers:

• Microencapsulated powders for improved water dispersibility and stability
• Customizable concentrations per customer needs
• Particle size options from 8 mesh to 350 mesh
• High clarity and uniformity for reproducible formulations

Natural β-Carotene is a provitamin A carotenoid with multiple recognized benefits:

1. Provitamin A Source

• Supports vision, immune system, and cellular health

• Conversion efficiency depends on formulation and bioavailability (NIH: Vitamin A Fact Sheet)

2. Antioxidant Activity

• Protects lipids, proteins, and DNA from oxidative stress

• Widely documented in nutraceutical and cosmetic studies ([PubMed DOI: 10.1002/ptr.1234])

3. Colorant & Functional Ingredient

• Enhances product appearance in foods, beverages, and cosmetics
• Safe, non-toxic, and widely accepted in EU and US markets

B2B buyers increasingly prefer natural carotenoids for functional foods and nutraceuticals. Key benefits include:

Takeaway:

Natural β-Carotene meets consumer demand for clean-label, plant-based ingredients, while providing regulatory-friendly compliance for global markets.

The β-carotene powder market offers more format options than most buyers initially anticipate. Here is a structured breakdown to guide specification decisions:

Natural vs. Synthetic β-Carotene

By Powder Format

By Concentration Grade

The honest guidance on grade selection: For dietary supplement capsule and tablet applications, 10% beadlet grade is the most commercially prevalent specification - it delivers a practical dose per capsule without the handling and stability challenges of higher-concentration grades. The 20% grade is appropriate for pharmaceutical applications or high-potency formulations where capsule fill weight is constrained. For food and beverage coloring, 1%–2% water-dispersible beadlet is the standard specification.

• 6 advanced production workshops covering 70,000 m²
• 10 fully equipped production lines
• Ability to fulfill bulk orders exceeding several tons

Flexible Customization

• Concentration, particle size, and form can be tailored to specific formulations
• Microencapsulation available for water-dispersible powders

Full Certifications & Compliance

• cGMP, ISO9001, ISO22000, FSSC22000, HACCP, Halal, Kosher
• COA provided for every batch, supporting EU and US regulatory audits

Appearance: Orange to dark red powder Solubility: Microencapsulated forms disperse in water; high-purity crystals soluble in oil Moisture content: ≤5% Particle size: 8–350 mesh customizable Storage: Cool, dry place, away from light Shelf life: 24 months in original sealed packaging   Packaging Options: 25 kg fiber drums (bulk) Custom packaging available upon request Transportation: Air, sea, or express shipping with temperature-controlled options

Q1: What is the difference between β-carotene as a provitamin A nutrient and as a food colorant, and does the regulatory classification change?

β-Carotene functions simultaneously as a provitamin A nutrient and as a natural food colorant (EU E160a). The regulatory classification of a specific product depends on its intended use and the concentration at which it is used. When used primarily for its coloring function in food products, it is classified as a food additive (E160a) and must comply with EU Regulation 1333/2008 purity criteria. When used as a nutritional supplement ingredient, it is classified as a food supplement active and must comply with supplement-specific regulations. Many applications involve both functions simultaneously - the regulatory pathway should be confirmed with qualified counsel for each specific product and market.

Q2: Is synthetic β-carotene nutritionally equivalent to natural β-carotene?

Synthetic β-carotene is chemically identical to the all-trans form of β-carotene found in nature and is approved for food and supplement use in all major regulatory jurisdictions (FDA, EFSA, Health Canada). The primary compositional distinction from natural algal-derived β-carotene is the absence of 9-cis β-carotene isomers, which are present in Dunaliella salina-derived natural β-carotene. Whether this isomer difference has meaningful nutritional implications remains a subject of ongoing research. For most supplement and food applications, synthetic β-carotene delivers equivalent provitamin A activity and antioxidant function at a lower cost.

Q3: Why is β-carotene susceptible to degradation, and how should it be stored?

β-Carotene's extended conjugated polyene chain - 11 conjugated double bonds - is responsible for both its orange color and its antioxidant activity, but also makes it inherently susceptible to oxidative degradation, photoisomerization, and thermal decomposition. Degradation is accelerated by light (particularly UV), oxygen, heat, moisture, and trace metal ions (Fe²⁺, Cu²⁺ act as pro-oxidant catalysts). Proper storage requires sealed, nitrogen-flushed packaging at below 15°C, away from light and moisture. Under these conditions, a 24-month shelf life is well-supported for encapsulated beadlet grades.

Q4: What carrier systems are used in water-dispersible β-carotene beadlets, and are they allergen-free?

Water-dispersible β-carotene beadlets use a protective encapsulation matrix to disperse the lipophilic carotenoid in aqueous systems. Common carrier systems include:

Modified starch (from non-GMO corn or tapioca) - allergen-free; vegan-compatible

Gelatin (bovine or porcine) - not suitable for vegan or halal/kosher applications without appropriate certification

Carrageenan - allergen-free; vegan-compatible; derived from red seaweed

All carrier components are fully disclosed on the COA and ingredient declaration. Vegan-compatible (non-gelatin) grades are available - specify your requirement at inquiry.

Q5: Can β-carotene powder be used in cosmetic formulations, and what grade is appropriate?

Yes. β-Carotene is used in cosmetic formulations - including skin-brightening creams, anti-aging serums, and sunscreen adjuncts - for its antioxidant activity and natural orange pigmentation. For cosmetic applications, oil-dispersible grades (1%–10%) are most commonly used, as they integrate readily into lipophilic cosmetic bases. EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC 1223/2009) permits β-carotene as a colorant (CI 40800) and as a functional ingredient. We provide the safety documentation required for cosmetic ingredient compliance upon request.

Q6: What is the recommended dosage range for β-carotene in dietary supplement formulations?

Published clinical research and regulatory guidance vary by application. As a provitamin A source, typical supplement doses range from 3 mg to 15 mg β-carotene per day in healthy adults. The EU Regulation 1169/2011 Nutrient Reference Value (NRV) for vitamin A is 800 µg RAE - equivalent to approximately 9.6 mg β-carotene using the 12:1 conversion factor. Formulators should note that high-dose β-carotene supplementation (≥20 mg/day) in heavy smokers was associated with increased lung cancer risk in two large intervention trials (ATBC and CARET) - a finding that has shaped regulatory guidance in several markets. Label claims and dosage recommendations should be reviewed by qualified regulatory counsel.

Q7: How do I verify the β-carotene assay on a COA - UV-Vis vs. HPLC?

β-Carotene content can be determined by UV-Vis spectrophotometry (measuring absorbance at 446 nm in a defined solvent system) or by HPLC with UV detection. UV-Vis is faster and widely used for routine QC, but it measures total carotenoid absorbance and cannot distinguish between β-carotene isomers or other co-extracted carotenoids. HPLC provides individual isomer quantification and is the gold standard for purity determination. We provide HPLC-based assay data on all grades ≥10% and UV-Vis data on lower-concentration grades, with HPLC available upon request for any grade.

Q8: Is β-carotene powder suitable for halal and kosher applications?

β-Carotene itself - whether natural or synthetic - is inherently halal and kosher compliant. The compliance status of the finished powder depends on the carrier system used. Gelatin-based beadlets require halal (bovine/ovine source, slaughtered per Islamic rites) or kosher certification for the gelatin component. Modified starch and carrageenan-based beadlets are inherently compatible with halal and kosher requirements. We provide halal and kosher certificates for applicable grades upon request, and we disclose the full carrier composition on every COA to support your own compliance assessment.

Sourcing β-carotene powder at scale requires attention to stability management, format selection, and regulatory documentation that goes beyond standard botanical ingredient procurement. Here are the questions every experienced procurement manager should be asking:

① How do you protect β-carotene from oxidative degradation during shipping?

All β-carotene powder is packaged in nitrogen-flushed, foil-sealed bags or drums as standard. For high-concentration grades (≥10%) and for shipments to tropical climates, we recommend cold-chain shipping (2–8°C) and provide cold-chain packaging upon request. We include a peroxide value measurement for oil-dispersible grades on every COA as an oxidative status indicator at time of manufacture.

② What is the difference between oil-dispersible and water-dispersible (beadlet) grades?

Oil-dispersible powder is designed for lipophilic formulation systems - softgels, oil-based foods, and cosmetics. Water-dispersible beadlet grades are microencapsulated in a protective hydrophilic matrix (modified starch, gelatin, or carrageenan) that allows uniform dispersion in aqueous systems - tablets, beverages, effervescent formulations, and dairy products. The beadlet format also provides superior oxidative protection compared to unencapsulated oil-dispersible grades.

③ How do I calculate the vitamin A label declaration from β-carotene content?

Using current IOM/EFSA guidelines: 1 RAE (retinol activity equivalent) = 12 µg β-carotene from supplement/food sources. For a supplement containing 6 mg (6,000 µg) β-carotene per serving: 6,000 ÷ 12 = 500 RAE = 500 µg RAE vitamin A. The FDA Daily Value for vitamin A is 900 µg RAE for adults. Regulatory label declaration requirements vary by market - consult applicable regulations for your specific product category.

④ What is the lead time?

Standard grades (1%, 2%, 10% water-dispersible beadlet): 7–10 business days

High-concentration grades (20%): 10–15 business days

Natural algal-derived grades: 15–20 business days

Custom specifications: quoted individually

⑤ What are the minimum order quantities?

Sample: 100 g – 500 g (fee may apply; credited against first bulk order)

Bulk: 25 kg standard; full drum quantities preferred for pricing efficiency

⑥ Can you supply non-gelatin (vegan) beadlet grades?

Yes. Vegan-compatible beadlet grades using modified starch or carrageenan matrix (replacing gelatin) are available for plant-based supplement formulations. Specify your carrier requirement when requesting a quote.

⑦ What regulatory support do you provide?

We supply the full documentation package for FDA dietary supplement supplier qualification (21 CFR Part 111), EU food additive compliance (E160a), and Health Canada NHP submissions. Stability data, carrier composition declarations, and allergen statements are provided as standard.

Jiuyuan Biotech supplies β-Carotene Powder to food manufacturers, supplement brands, and contract formulators across North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. Our technical team - not a generic sales inbox - handles every inquiry.

Email: info@jiuyuanbio.com

Website: www.jiuyuanbio.com

Request: Sample| Bulk Quote | CoA & Spec Sheet | Custom Carrier Ratio

Standard response time: within 1 business day. Please include your target application and annual volume estimate for the most relevant technical recommendation.