Stabilized B-carotene

摘要

A process for the preparation of stabilized B-carotene wherein polysorbate is heated under an inert atmosphere to about 100 DEG to about 120 DEG C. in the presence of butylated hydroxytoluene for a period of time sufficient to allow substantially all of the water present in the polysorbate to be driven off. The temperature is then increased to about 160 DEG to about 180 DEG C. and the resultant polysorbate product further heated at this temperature while maintaining the inert atmosphere and under strong stirring for 1 to 11/2 hours. The thus heated polysorbate is then cooled rapidly to about 100 DEG to about 120 DEG C. and 2.0 to 4.0% by weight of B-carotene, based on the weight of the polysorbate, introduced under strong stirring in the presence of para-aminobenzoic acid and a conventional antioxidant such as butylhydroxyquinone under containued maintenance of the inert atmosphere. The resulting liquid composition is cooled to room temperature. A dark yellow, stable B-carotene liquid is recovered. The stabilized B-carotene product of the invention is useful as a precursor of vitamin A, can be employed as a colorant, for example a food colorant, and as a medicament for use both in human and animal medicine.