Where is Carotene Stored in the Body?

December 27, 2025 •

3 min read

Carotenoids, the pigments responsible for the vibrant red, orange, and yellow colors in fruits and vegetables, are fat-soluble compounds that the human body cannot produce on its own. After absorption, the body stores the excess, particularly carotene, in specific tissues for later use.

Quick Summary

The body primarily stores carotene in adipose (fat) tissue, the liver, and the skin. This accumulation serves as a reserve, with the liver managing conversion to vitamin A, while excess can cause skin pigmentation.

Key Points

Main Storage Sites: The body's primary reservoirs for carotene are adipose (fat) tissue and the liver.
Accumulation in Skin: Excess carotene is deposited in the skin's fat layer, leading to harmless orange pigmentation called carotenemia.
Provitamin A Function: Carotene stored in the liver can be converted into vitamin A as the body requires it.
Distribution Process: Carotene is transported through the bloodstream via lipoproteins to be distributed and stored in various tissues after digestion.
Fat Dependence: Because it is a fat-soluble compound, carotene absorption is dependent on the presence of dietary fat.
Benign Condition: The orange skin coloration from excessive carotene is harmless and reversible, unlike vitamin A toxicity.

Main Storage Sites for Carotene

After ingestion and absorption in the small intestine, carotene is transported throughout the body via lipoproteins, leading to its accumulation in several key areas. The most significant storage locations are the body's adipose tissue and the liver.

Adipose Tissue (Body Fat)

Adipose tissue is the primary long-term storage site for carotene. As a lipophilic (fat-loving) compound, carotene readily dissolves and is stored within the fat droplets of adipocytes. This extensive storage reservoir means that even with irregular dietary intake, the body often has a stable supply of carotene to draw upon. The amount of carotene stored can vary based on an individual's total body fat mass, and studies have shown concentrations are inversely related to obesity levels on a per-gram basis.

Liver

The liver acts as a secondary, but still major, storage site for carotene. It plays a crucial role in regulating carotene levels in the blood. Absorbed carotene is delivered to the liver, where some is stored, and a significant portion is converted into vitamin A (retinol) as needed. The liver also releases carotene into the bloodstream, where it is transported by lipoproteins to other tissues throughout the body. On a wet tissue weight basis, the liver contains a high concentration of carotenoids.

Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue

Excess carotene, particularly with high dietary intake, is deposited in the skin's outermost layer (stratum corneum) and subcutaneous fat. This accumulation can result in a harmless yellow-orange discoloration of the skin, a condition known as carotenemia or carotenoderma. This is often most noticeable on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet due to the higher concentration of fat and sweat glands. While visually prominent, carotenemia is benign and reverses when dietary intake is reduced.

Other Tissues

While adipose tissue, the liver, and the skin are the main reservoirs, smaller quantities of carotenoids are also found in other organs and tissues, reflecting their distribution via the bloodstream. These include:

The kidneys
The adrenal glands
The testes
The lungs

Comparison of Carotene Storage Sites


Storage Site	Storage Capacity	Function	Effect of Excess Intake
Adipose Tissue	High (Primary reservoir)	Long-term storage; provides a stable supply of carotene.	Can lead to noticeable skin discoloration (carotenemia).
Liver	High (Secondary reservoir)	Storage, and crucial for converting carotene to vitamin A.	Manages systemic carotene levels; accumulates with high intake.
Skin	Variable (Visible accumulation)	Protection against UV radiation; acts as an antioxidant.	Visible yellow-orange skin pigmentation (carotenoderma).
Other Tissues (e.g., kidneys, adrenals)	Low to Moderate	Antioxidant protection; potential local conversion to vitamin A.	Less significant impact compared to major sites.

The Storage and Release Process

When you eat foods rich in carotenoids, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and leafy greens, the process begins in the small intestine.

Absorption: Dietary carotenoids are solubilized into fat-containing micelles in the small intestine, which requires bile salts and dietary fat for optimal absorption.
Transport: Once absorbed into the intestinal mucosal cells, they are packaged into chylomicrons and enter the lymphatic system before being delivered to the bloodstream.
Delivery to the Liver: Chylomicron remnants carry much of the absorbed carotene to the liver, where it can be stored or metabolized.
Distribution: The liver then repackages carotene into lipoproteins (primarily VLDL and LDL) for distribution to peripheral tissues, including fat and skin.
Conversion to Vitamin A: The body converts provitamin A carotenoids like beta-carotene into vitamin A as needed, with the liver playing a central role in this process.

Conclusion

Carotene is a fat-soluble nutrient that the human body strategically stores primarily in adipose tissue and the liver to maintain a steady supply. Its ability to accumulate in the skin is a visible sign of excess intake but is not toxic. The body's sophisticated storage and release mechanisms ensure that carotene is available for essential functions, including conversion into vitamin A. Understanding where this important nutrient is stored helps explain its sustained benefits and the harmless visual side effects of a carotenoid-rich diet.

Carotenoids: Dietary Sources, Extraction, Encapsulation, and Nutritional Importance. (This is an authoritative source from the National Institutes of Health).

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary storage sites for carotene are the adipose tissue, or body fat, and the liver.

Yes, excessive consumption of carotene-rich foods like carrots can cause a harmless yellow-orange skin discoloration called carotenemia, as the excess carotene is stored in the skin's outermost layer.

No, carotenemia is a benign and reversible medical condition. It does not cause any toxic side effects, unlike excessive intake of preformed vitamin A.

Stored carotene is mobilized and transported through the bloodstream by lipoproteins. It can be released from adipose tissue and converted into vitamin A in the liver and other tissues as needed.

No, not all carotenoids can be converted to vitamin A. Provitamin A carotenoids, like alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin, can be converted, while others like lycopene do not have this function.

Carotenemia is more easily noticeable in light-complexioned individuals. While darker skin tones may mask the discoloration, carotene is still deposited in the skin's fat layers regardless of natural pigmentation.

Factors influencing carotene's bioavailability and storage include the amount of dietary fat, food processing methods (like cooking), and individual physiological variations.