Background: β-Carotene-rich orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) is an excellent source of provitamin A. In many developing countries, sweet potato is a secondary staple food and may play a role in controlling vitamin A deficiency.
Are sweet potatoes carotenoids?
Carotenoids are found in many fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, yellow sweet potatoes, yellow sweet cassava and pumpkins, among other plant materials.
Does sweet potato have provitamin A?
As mentioned above, sweet potatoes are a good source of provitamin A in the form of beta-carotene.
What are provitamin A carotenoids?
Provitamin A carotenoids are plant pigments that the body converts into vitamin A in the intestine [1,3]. The main provitamin A carotenoids in the human diet are beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin [1].
What are the carotenoids which have provitamin A activity?
Three of these carotenoids, namely α-carotene, β-carotene, and β-cryptoxanthin, can be converted into retinol and are thus referred to as provitamin A carotenoids. Lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin have no vitamin A activity and are thus referred to as nonprovitamin A carotenoids.
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