[Conversion of beta-carotene and some beta-apocarotinoids under the effect of substances from the intestinal mucosa].

Products of cleavage of beta-carotene and certain apocarotenoids (beta-apo-4', 8', 10', and 12'-carotenols and citranaxanthol) were studied, and the dynamics of their generation in the presence of an enzyme preparation isolated from rabbit intestinal mucosa was determined. The data suggest that metabolism of beta-apocarotenols involves the production of retinal and beta-apo-14'-carotenal mediated by enzymes different from beta-carotene-15,15'-dioxygenase, which converts beta-carotene to retinal. A scheme of metabolic conversion of beta-carotene is discussed.