Question

Natural carotenes can be extracted from__________

• A. saffron
• B. soyabean
• C. beans
• D. pear

Hint:

Associate vibrant natural colors (deep reds, yellows, oranges) with carotenoids. Foods like carrots, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and intensely colored spices like paprika and saffron are rich sources.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Carotenes are a class of natural pigments belonging to the carotenoid family. They are responsible for many of the yellow, orange, and red colors found in plants. The question asks to identify a source of carotenes from the given options.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
- Saffron: The vibrant color of saffron comes from carotenoid compounds, primarily crocin and crocetin, along with other carotenes like alpha- and beta-carotene. Saffron is one of the most potent natural sources of these color compounds.
- Soyabean: Soybeans are not known as a rich source of carotenes. Their primary components are protein and oil.
- Beans: While some beans contain carotenoids (e.g., green beans have lutein and beta-carotene, often masked by chlorophyll), they are generally not considered a primary source for extraction compared to other vegetables or spices.
- Pear: Pears have very low levels of carotenes, which is evident from their pale flesh color.
Comparing the options, saffron is the most significant source of carotenoid pigments.
Step 4: Final Answer:
Among the given options, saffron is the most notable source for the extraction of natural carotenoid pigments. Therefore, option (A) is correct.