Free radical lipid peroxidation inhibits enzymatic conversion of beta-carotene into vitamin A.

Free radical oxidation of arachidonic acid with soybean lipoxygenase was accompanied by inhibition of retinal synthesis from beta-carotene catalyzed by enzyme preparation from rabbit intestinal mucosa. Lipoxygenase inhibitor salicylhydroxamic acid and antioxidants suppressing free radical reactions (ethyl gallate, alpha-tocopherol, astaxanthine, and quercetin) promoted conversion of beta-carotene into retinal catalyzed by beta-carotene-15,15'-dioxygenase. These results indicate that lipoperoxides and/or products of their homolysis attenuate enzymatic conversion of beta-carotene and confirm the important role of natural antioxidants in the maintenance of stable vitamin A content in mammals.