provitamin

β-Carotene (Provitamin A) is a naturally-occurring retinol (vitamin A) precursor obtained from certain fruits and vegetables with potential antineoplastic and chemopreventive activities. As an anti-oxidant, beta carotene inhibits free-radical damage to DNA.

7-Dehydrocholesterol (Provitamin D3) down-regulates cholesterol biosynthesis in cultured Smith-Lemi-Opitz syndrome skin fibroblasts.

Ergosterol is the major sterol in fungi and has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiproliferative properties.

Ergostenol (Ergost-8(14)-en-3beta-ol) is a biological precursor and a provitamin of vitamin D2.

DL-Panthenol (DL-Pantothenyl alcohol) is the alcohol analog of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) and is thus a provitamin of B5. In organisms, it is quickly oxidized to pantothenate.

β-Apo-8'-carotenal (Apocarotenal) is a carotenoid found in spinach and citrus fruits. Apocarotenal is used in fat-based food (margarine, sauces, salad dressing), beverages, dairy products, and sweets.