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Precursor of which one of the following vitamins comes from /2-carotene ?
Explanation
Beta-carotene (β-carotene) is a primary precursor of Vitamin A. It belongs to a group of plant pigments known as provitamin A carotenoids [3]. While preformed Vitamin A (retinol) is found in animal-sourced foods like liver and eggs, the human body can convert certain carotenoids from plant sources into active Vitamin A [1]. Beta-carotene is the most significant of these, as it is efficiently converted into retinol in the intestine via specific enzymes [3]. This conversion is vital for maintaining normal vision, healthy skin, and immune function [3]. Other vitamins mentioned have different precursors; for instance, Vitamin D is synthesized from 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin upon exposure to UV light [2]. Therefore, beta-carotene is specifically recognized as a safe and essential dietary source for the production of Vitamin A .
Sources
- [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK218749/
- [3] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S002231662207184X
- [2] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8889086/