How Does Beta Carotene Convert to Vitamin A?

  • Thread starter Thread starter chemister
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Beta
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on balancing the chemical equation for the conversion of beta carotene (C40H56) to vitamin A (C20H30O) in the human body. The user seeks assistance in formulating the correct balanced equation, suggesting that water (H2O) may be involved in the reaction. The proposed equation is C40H56 + 2H2O → 2C20H30O, indicating that two molecules of vitamin A are produced from one molecule of beta carotene and two molecules of water. The conversation highlights the importance of vitamin A for human health, particularly for vision, and emphasizes the role of beta carotene as its precursor found in various vegetables.
chemister
Messages
21
Reaction score
0
I am struggling with coming up with a balanced chemical equation for the reaction of beta carotene to vitamin A. Here is the original problem:


Vitamin A, an essential human nutrient, is necessary for proper vision function among other things. A precursor of vitamin A, beta carotene, is found in dark orange vegetables such as carrots and sweet potatoes. Beta carotene is converted to vitamin A by a chemical reaction in your body. Write the balanced chemical reaction for this process. C20 H30 O is the formula of vitamin A, C40 H56 is the formula of Beta Carotene.

Beta Carotene would be the reactant plus something else like maybe water (h20)? The product would be vitamin A.

Please Help! :cry:

Thank You so much! :smile:
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org
C_4_0H_5_6 + 2H_2O \longrightarrow 2C_2_0H_3_0O??
 

Thread 'Humidity of a saturated NaCl solution with anticaking additive'

I want to test a humidity sensor with one or more saturated salt solutions. The table salt that I have on hand contains one of two anticaking agents, calcium silicate or sodium aluminosilicate. Will the presence of either of these additives (or iodine for that matter) significantly affect the equilibrium humidity? I searched and all the how-to-do-it guides did not address this question. One research paper I found reported that at 1.5% w/w calcium silicate increased the deliquescent point by...
View full post »

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top