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Glite Dictionary
carotene

carotene

9 6.5
A yellow or orange substance in plants, especially carrots, that the body uses to make vitamin A
  • noun
  • /kəˈroʊtɪn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : caroteno
  • Sweet potatoes contain an abundance of bioavailable beta-carotene, which makes them a strong antioxidant source.
  • beta carotene
  • carotene levels
  • high in carotene

And there are now recommendations at least in the Usus Preventive Services Task Force saying do not take beta carotene or vitamin E supplements.

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Examples

  • Earlier research produced tomatoes rich in the carotenoids lycopene and beta-carotene, red and orange pigments that give tomatoes their characteristic color.

    Academic text (2006)

  • Many orange fruits and vegetables are rich in carotene, including sweet potatoes and mangoes.

  • Think we all know that beta carotene is orange.

  • And carrots are highly valued today for their health benefits, especially their beta carotene content.

    Academic text (1994)

  • To date, the most exciting development has been the introduction of genes that produce beta-carotene in the rice grain.

    Academic text (2001)

  • The cooked fruits are an important food, high in beta carotene and carbohydrates, much like orange-fleshed sweet potatoes.

    Blog text (1)

  • Golden rice produces beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, in the edible part of the grain.

    Blog text (16)

  • Today, most commercially grown carrots typically contain 120 to 160 ppm carotene, thanks to the work of Peterson and Simon.

    Academic text (1994)

  • Carrots are a well-known source of carotene, which can help improve vision.

  • A diet high in carotene can support overall health and may help prevent certain diseases.

Synonyms

carotenoid
vscarotene
  • Specialized
3 7.9

A natural pigment that gives plants and some animals yellow to red colour

is a specific plant pigment usable by the body to make vitamin A
beta-carotene
vscarotene
  • Specialized
2 4.4

A natural color in orange and dark green vegetables that the body turns into vitamin A

is a yellow or orange plant pigment the body uses to make vitamin A
carotin
vscarotene
  • Specialized
8.2

An orange substance in plants that the body changes into vitamin A

is a pigment the body can use to make vitamin A
provitamin A
vscarotene
  • Specialized
3.9

A substance in plants that the body turns into vitamin A

is a yellow or orange plant pigment the body uses to make vitamin A

Surface Forms

carotene singular
carotenes plural

Morphology

carotene = carrot (semi-transparent) = carot + ene

The connection to 'carrot' is clear (carotene is the pigment associated with carrots), but the chemical suffix '-ene' is technical and may be unfamiliar to many learners.

Etymology

Carotene comes from carrot, and from Latin 'carota', because this yellow-orange pigment was first noticed in carrots. The ending -ene shows it is a chemical, so carotene is the plant pigment that gives carrots their colour and that the body can change into vitamin A.