Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 14, 2026

Apocarotenal

Apocarotenal, or trans-β-apo-8'-carotenal, is a carotenoid found in spinach and citrus fruits. Like other carotenoids, apocarotenal plays a role as a precursor of vitamin A, even though it has 50% less pro-vitamin A activity than β-carotene. The empirical chemical formula for apocarotenal is C30H40O.

Last revised
Jun 14, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
286 w
Citations
3
Source
Apocarotenal
Skeletal formula of apocarotenal
source ↗
Space-filling model of the apocarotenal molecule
source ↗
Names
IUPAC name
8′-Apo-β-caroten-8′-al
Systematic IUPAC name
(2E,4E,6E,8E,10E,12E,14E,16E)-2,6,11,15-Tetramethyl-17-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-1-en-1-yl)heptadeca-2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16-octaenal
Other names
  • trans-beta-apo-8'-carotenal
  • C.I. Food Orange 6
  • E number 160E
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.012.883
E number E160e (colours)
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C30H40O/c1-24(13-8-9-14-25(2)16-11-18-27(4)23-31)15-10-17-26(3)20-21-29-28(5)19-12-22-30(29,6)7/h8-11,13-18,20-21,23H,12,19,22H2,1-7H3/b9-8+,15-10+,16-11+,21-20+,24-13+,25-14+,26-17+,27-18+ checkY
    Key: DFMMVLFMMAQXHZ-DOKBYWHISA-N checkY
  • InChI=1S/C30H40O/c1-24(13-8-9-14-25(2)16-11-18-27(4)23-31)15-10-17-26(3)20-21-29-28(5)19-12-22-30(29,6)7/h8-11,13-18,20-21,23H,12,19,22H2,1-7H3/b9-8+,15-10+,16-11+,21-20+,24-13+,25-14+,26-17+,27-18+
  • Key: DFMMVLFMMAQXHZ-DOKBYWHISA-N
  • CC=1CCCC(C)(C)C=1/C=CC(\C)=C\C=C\C(\C)=C\C=C\C=C(/C)\C=C\C=C(/C)C=O
  • O=C\C(=C\C=C\C(=C\C=C\C=C(\C=C\C=C(\C=C\C1=C(\CCCC1(C)C)C)C)C)C)C
Properties
C30H40O
Molar mass 416.649 g·mol−1
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
checkY verify (what is checkY☒N ?)

Apocarotenal, or trans-β-apo-8'-carotenal, is a carotenoid found in spinach and citrus fruits. Like other carotenoids, apocarotenal plays a role as a precursor of vitamin A, even though it has 50% less pro-vitamin A activity than β-carotene. The empirical chemical formula for apocarotenal is C30H40O.

Apocarotenal has an orange to orange-red colour and is used in foods, pharmaceuticals and cosmetic products. Depending on the product forms, apocarotenal is used in fat-based foods (such as margarine, sauces, and salad dressing), beverages, dairy products, and sweets. Its E number is E160e and it is approved for use as a food additive in the US,1 EU,2 Australia, and New Zealand.3

References

References

  1. US FDA:"Colour Additive Status List". Food and Drug Administration. Archived from the original on June 6, 2009. Retrieved 2011-10-27.
  2. UK Food Standards Agency: "Current EU approved additives and their E Numbers". Retrieved 2011-10-27.
  3. Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code"Standard 1.2.4 - Labelling of ingredients". 8 September 2011. Retrieved 2011-10-27.
External links