vitamin A carotenoid beta-end derivative beta-carotene A cyclic carotene obtained by dimerisation of <i>all</i>-<i>trans</i>-retinol. A strongly-coloured red-orange pigment abundant in plants and fruit and the most active and important provitamin A carotenoid. Europe::160a A cyclic carotene obtained by dimerisation of all-trans-retinol. A strongly-coloured red-orange pigment abundant in plants and fruit and the most active and important provitamin A carotenoid. Codex::160a LanguaL term definition: Food additive. carotenes cyclic carotene