Retinol, active vitamin A
Various names relate to molecular side groups.
- retinol, the active form of Vitamin A
- retinal
- provitamin A carotenoids
- beta-carotene
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The word carotene - carot:carrot, -ene:chemistry 'double bonded carbon'
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The Carotene Group
Only carotenes are the precursor, or provitamin-A in animals (herbivores and omnivores).
Enzymes in the gut convert carotenes into retinol, the active form.
All have the beta-ionone ring
- alpha-carotene,
- beta-carotene,
- gamma-carotene
- xanthophyll beta-cryptoxanthin
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Vitamin-A-Ester
Vitamin-A-1 (Retinol)
Vitamin-A-Aldehyde
Vitamin-A-Saure (Retinsaure)