Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised May 31, 2026

Β-Cryptoxanthin

β-Cryptoxanthin is a natural carotenoid pigment. It has been isolated from a variety of sources including the fruit of plants in the genus Physalis, orange rind, winter squashes such as butternut, papaya, egg yolk, butter, apples, and bovine blood serum.

Last revised
May 31, 2026
Read time
≈ 2 min
Length
366 w
Citations
6
Source
Wikipedia ↗
β-Cryptoxanthin1
Cryptoxanthin
Cryptoxanthin source ↗
source ↗
Names
IUPAC name
(3R)-β,β-Caroten-3-ol
Systematic IUPAC name
(1R)-3,5,5-Trimethyl-4-[(3E,5E,7E,9E,11E,13E,15E)-3,7,12,16-tetramethyl-18-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-1-en-1-yl)octadeca-1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17-nonaen-1-yl]cyclohex-3-en-1-ol
Other names
  • Cryptoxanthol
  • Caricaxanthin
  • (R)-all-trans-β-Caroten-3-ol
  • Hydroxy-β-carotene
  • kryptoxanthin
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChemSpider
E number E161c (colours)
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C40H56O/c1-30(18-13-20-32(3)23-25-37-34(5)22-15-27-39(37,7)8)16-11-12-17-31(2)19-14-21-33(4)24-26-38-35(6)28-36(41)29-40(38,9)10/h11-14,16-21,23-26,36,41H,15,22,27-29H2,1-10H3/b12-11+,18-13+,19-14+,25-23+,26-24+,30-16+,31-17+,32-20+,33-21+/t36-/m1/s1 checkY
    Key: DMASLKHVQRHNES-FKKUPVFPSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1/C40H56O/c1-30(18-13-20-32(3)23-25-37-34(5)22-15-27-39(37,7)8)16-11-12-17-31(2)19-14-21-33(4)24-26-38-35(6)28-36(41)29-40(38,9)10/h11-14,16-21,23-26,36,41H,15,22,27-29H2,1-10H3/b12-11+,18-13+,19-14+,25-23+,26-24+,30-16+,31-17+,32-20+,33-21+/t36-/m1/s1
    Key: DMASLKHVQRHNES-FKKUPVFPBQ
  • O[C@@H]2C/C(=C(/C=C/C(=C/C=C/C(=C/C=C/C=C(/C=C/C=C(/C=C/C1=C(\C)CCCC1(C)C)C)C)C)C)C(C)(C)C2)C
Properties
C40H56O
Molar mass 552.85 g/mol
Melting point 169 °C (336 °F; 442 K)
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 ?)

β-Cryptoxanthin is a natural carotenoid pigment. It has been isolated from a variety of sources including the fruit of plants in the genus Physalis, orange rind, winter squashes such as butternut, papaya, egg yolk, butter, apples, and bovine blood serum.1

Chemistry

In terms of structure, β-cryptoxanthin is closely related to β-carotene, with only the addition of a hydroxyl group. It is a member of the class of carotenoids known as xanthophylls.

In a pure form, β-cryptoxanthin is a red crystalline solid with a metallic luster. It is freely soluble in chloroform, benzene, pyridine, and carbon disulfide. It is insoluble in water like most β-carotenoids.1

Biology and medicine

In the human body, β-cryptoxanthin is converted to vitamin A (retinol) and is, therefore, considered a provitamin A. As with other carotenoids, β-cryptoxanthin is an antioxidant and may help prevent free radical damage to cells and DNA, as well as stimulate the repair of oxidative damage to DNA.2

Other uses

β-Cryptoxanthin is also used as a substance to colour food products (INS number 161c). It is not approved for use in the EU3 or USA; however, it is approved for use in Australia and New Zealand.4

References

References

  1. Merck Index, 11th Edition, 2612.
  2. Lorenzo, Y.; Azqueta, A.; Luna, L.; Bonilla, F.; Dominguez, G.; Collins, A. R. (2008). "The carotenoid β-cryptoxanthin stimulates the repair of DNA oxidation damage in addition to acting as an antioxidant in human cells". Carcinogenesis. 30 (2): 308–314. doi:10.1093/carcin/bgn270. PMID 19056931.
  3. UK Food Standards Agency: "Current EU approved additives and their E Numbers". Retrieved 2011-10-27.
  4. Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code"Standard 1.2.4 - Labelling of ingredients". Retrieved 2011-10-27.