Alpha-Carotene Analysis Service

What is Alpha-Carotene?

Alpha-carotene (α-carotene), which belongs to the category of carotenoid pigments, can be found in an assortment of fruits and vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and spinach. Although it is structurally akin to beta-carotene, alpha-carotene possesses an additional double bond, rendering it a more potent antioxidant than its beta counterpart. Alpha-carotene is also a precursor to vitamin A, which plays a pivotal role in maintaining healthy skin, vision, and immune function.

According to research, people who possess higher levels of alpha-carotene in their bloodstream have a lower probability of contracting chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes. This is purportedly due to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory attributes of alpha-carotene, which can aid in the reduction of damage to cells and tissues in the body. Furthermore, alpha-carotene has been scientifically proven to amplify the production of specific immune cells such as natural killer cells and T cells, which can facilitate the immune system in defending the body against infections and illnesses more efficiently. Additionally, alpha-carotene is critical for maintaining healthy vision and has been linked to a decreased likelihood of age-related macular degeneration.

Given the possible health benefits of alpha-carotene, there is a significant demand for the formulation of methods to scrutinize and quantify this nutrient in a range of fields. At Creative Proteomics, we frequently employ liquid chromatography (LC) combined with mass spectrometry (MS) to analyze alpha-carotene in biological specimens.

Structure of α-carotene

Detection Platform for Alpha-Carotene

• LC-MS/MS

Waters ACQUITY UPLC, MS-SCIEX QTRAP 4500/5500/6500

• GC-MS

Agilent 7890B-5977A, Thermo TRACE 1300-TSQ 9000

Application of Alpha-Carotene Analysis

• Assessing dietary intake of alpha-carotene.
• Evaluating effectiveness of nutritional interventions.
• Investigating potential health benefits of alpha-carotene.
• Monitoring alpha-carotene levels in food products.
• Providing insight into an individual's overall intake of plant-based foods.
• Identifying areas for improvement in dietary patterns.
• Correlating alpha-carotene levels with disease risk.
• Ensuring regulatory requirements and accurate labeling in food products.
• Advancing understanding of the role of alpha-carotene in human health and disease.

Technical Workflow of Targeted Metabolomics of α-carotene

Sample Preparation Suggestions

Samples are stored in liquid nitrogen or -80°C and shipped on dry ice.

Feedback to Customers

• A detailed technical report will be provided at the end of the entire project, including experimental procedures and instrument parameters.
• The report also includes quantitative results of targeted metabolites, such as name, abbreviation, molecular formula, molecular weight and CAS number of the analyte.
• Part of the mass spectrum picture
• Raw data

Project Cycle

• A standard experimental procedure takes about 1 ~ 4 weeks.

Creative Proteomics has an integrated separation, detection, identification and quantification system, with excellent robustness and reproducibility, high sensitivity and ultra-sensitivity, and can provide fast and reliable targeted metabolomics services. Our one-stop service model can help you achieve a seamless connection between upstream and downstream experiments. Coupled with personalized analysis services, your analysis can reach the final research purpose. If you have any questions or specific requirements, please feel free to contact us.