Carotenoids are plant pigments that are widely found in fruits and vegetables. They are red, yellow and orange in colour, mainly produced by plants, algae and photosynthetic bacteria. Lycopene and beta carotene are only two of the more than 1100 types of carotenoids known. Lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, and lycopene are some important nutrients that are commonly seen in the human diet.
Carotenoids are divided into categories: Xanthophylls and Carotenes.
- Xanthophylls are more of a yellow pigment and contain oxygen in their structure. E.g., Lutein and Zeaxanthin.
- Carotenes are more of an orange pigment and are devoid of oxygen in their structures. E.g., Lycopene and Beta-carotene.
What is Lycopene?
Lycopene is a bright red coloured carotene commonly found in tomatoes, carrots, watermelon, grapefruits and papayas. However, it is not found in strawberries and cherries.
Chemically, it is a tetraterpene composed of eight isoprene units. The eleven conjugated double bonds give the structure its red colour. The molecular formula of lycopene is C40H56.
Although it is a carotene, it possesses no provitamin A activity. It is not an essential nutrient in the human diet but is consumed commonly through tomatoes. Lycopene is an important carotenoid since it functions as a precursor for the formation of beta-carotene and xanthophylls.
What is Beta Carotene?
Beta-carotene is a reddish-orange carotene commonly found in mangoes, pumpkins, oranges, papayas, carrots and sweet potatoes.
It is composed of eight isoprene units with a molecular formula of C40H56. It can be distinguished from other carotenoids in having the presence of beta rings at both ends of the molecule.
Beta-carotene serves as a precursor in the formation of Vitamin A.
Beta-carotene is found widely in green leaves. Their functions include:
- Absorbing light and transferring it to chlorophyll.
- Dissipation of the excess energy
Lycopene vs Beta Carotene
| Lycopene | Beta-carotene |
|---|---|
| Appearance | |
| Lycopene is a bright red-coloured hydrocarbon. | Beta-carotene is a red-orange coloured hydrocarbon. |
| Vitamin A Activity | |
| Lycopene has no provitamin A activity. | Beta-carotene is the chief precursor for Vitamin A. |
| Number of Double Bonds | |
| 13 | 11 |
| 𝛃-rings | |
| It does not have beta rings at the ends. | It can be distinguished by the presence of beta rings at both ends of the molecule. |
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Also Read:
- Biological Pigments in Plants – Types and Uses
- Separation Of Plant Pigments Through Paper Chromatography
- Why Can’t You See All the Pigments in a Leaf?
- What Is The Main Photosynthetic Pigment?
Frequently Asked Questions on the Difference between Lycopene and Beta-carotene
What are the similarities between lycopene and beta-carotene?
The similarities between lycopene and beta-carotene are:
- Both have a molecular weight of 536.8g/mol.
- Both are made of 8 isoprene units.
- Both are lipophilic in nature.
- Both have the molecular formula C40H56.
What is the difference between alpha-carotene and beta-carotene?
The major difference between alpha and beta carotene is the position of the double bond. Moreover, beta-carotene is more commonly found than alpha-carotene.
What are the side effects of beta-carotene?
Consumption of too much beta-carotene-rich food can lead to a condition called carotenemia. It is characterised by the orange colour tint in the skin due to its deposition in the epidermis.
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