Molekula
Beta carotene Food grade
Supplying 4,500+ customers in over 80 countries
ISO 9001:2015 & ISO 14001:2015 certified · Supplying laboratories and industry since 2000 · Listed pack sizes are a starting point — we manufacture, source and repack to the quantity you need
Beta carotene is a natural orange pigment and provitamin A carotenoid widely used as a food coloring (E160a) and dietary supplement for its antioxidant properties and vitamin A precursor function. It’s commonly added to oils, fats, beverages, and fortified foods to enhance color and nutritional value while supporting human health. This food-grade beta carotene has a CAS number of 7235-40-7, with the molecular formula C40H56 and a molecular weight of 536.87. It requires storage at -15 to -20°C and carries no signal word under standard handling. Molekula supplies beta carotene from research to bulk quantities with full documentation and ISO 9001:2015 traceability.
Example image for illustration only. Other packaging and pack sizes are available.
Pricing & pack sizes
Pack sizes & pricing
Pricing on request — packs available from research to bulk quantities.
Need a different quantity or pack?
Tell us how much you need and when — drums, IBCs, sacks or a one-off bulk lot. We'll manufacture or source it and come back with a price.
Prices exclude VAT/sales tax and shipping.
Specifications
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Red - Brown liquid |
| Assay | ≥ 30.0% |
| Total Coliforms | ≤ 0.3 MPN/g |
| Lead (Pb) | ≤ 2.0 mg/kg |
| Arsenic (As) | ≤ 2.0 mg/kg |
| Wavelength of Max. Absorption | 453 - 457nm |
| Total Bacteria Count | ≤ 1000 cfu/g |
| Mould & Yeast | ≤ 100 cfu/g |
Storage & handling
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Storage Temperature | -15 to -20 °C |
| Flash Point | 103 °C |
| Acidity | Acid |
Literature values
Published physical properties of the substance, not batch specifications.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Crystalline form appears deep orange or copper-colored |
| Melting Point | 183 °C (evacuated tube) |
| Boiling Point | 654 to 657 °C at 760 mmHg |
| Solubility (other solvents) | Soluble in acetone |
Source: PubChem CID 5280489 (HSDB, Human Metabolome Database (HMDB))
Identification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| SKU | 90036020 |
| CAS Number | 7235-40-7 |
| IUPAC Name | 1,3,3-trimethyl-2-[(1E,3E,5E,7E,9E,11E,13E,15E,17E)-3,7,12,16-tetramethyl-18-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexen-1-yl)octadeca-1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17-nonaenyl]cyclohexene |
| EC Number | 230-636-6 |
| Molecular Formula | C40H56 |
| Molecular Weight | 536.87 |
| Exact Mass | 536.4382 |
| SMILES | CC1=C(C(CCC1)(C)C)/C=C/C(=C/C=C/C(=C/C=C/C=C(/C=C/C=C(/C=C/C2=C(CCCC2(C)C)C)\C)\C)/C)/C |
| InChIKey | OENHQHLEOONYIE-JLTXGRSLSA-N |
| InChI | InChI=1S/C40H56/c1-31(19-13-21-33(3)25-27-37-35(5)23-15-29-39(37,7)8)17-11-12-18-32(2)20-14-22-34(4)26-28-38-36(6)24-16-30-40(38,9)10/h11-14,17-22,25-28H,15-16,23-24,29-30H2,1-10H3/b12-11+,19-13+,20-14+,27-25+,28-26+,31-17+,32-18+,33-21+,34-22+ |
| PubChem CID | 5280489 |
| REACH Code | Y113 |
| TSCA Listed | Yes |
| HTS Code | 32129000 |
| Tariff Code | 3212900000 |
Safety & GHS
Precautionary statements
- P231 Handle under inert gas
- P264 Wash thoroughly after handling
- P280 Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection
Documents
Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
Available in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish.
Certificate of Analysis (CoA) by batch
Enter a lot or batch number to retrieve the CoA for that specific batch. We can generate one from spec data if no PDF is on file.
Synonyms
- all-trans-beta-Carotene
- beta-carotene
- beta,beta-Carotene
- BetaVit
- Carotaben
- Food orange 5
- KPMK
- Provatene
- Serlabo
- Solatene
Frequently asked questions
What is beta carotene used for in food applications?
Beta carotene is primarily used as a natural food colorant (E160a) to provide yellow-to-orange hues in foods like dairy products, beverages, and processed foods, as well as a vitamin A precursor for nutritional fortification.
What is the chemical formula and molecular weight of beta carotene?
The chemical formula is **C₄₀H₅₆**, and the molecular weight is **536.87 g/mol**.
How should beta carotene (food grade) be stored?
Store at **-15 to -20°C** in a cool, dark, and dry environment to prevent degradation and oxidation.
Is beta carotene available in bulk quantities from Molekula?
Yes, Molekula supplies beta carotene in bulk, with flexible packaging options (e.g., drums, bags) to meet large-scale production needs.
What documentation comes with a beta carotene order?
Each order includes a **Certificate of Analysis (CoA)**, **Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)**, and **batch-specific documentation** confirming food-grade compliance.
Ready to order or need a custom pack?
Tell us the product, grade, and quantity — Molekula usually responds within one working day with pricing and lead time.