Question

What is the ICMR (2020) recommended conversion factor of Beta carotene to Vitamin A ?

• A. 12 : 1
• B. 11 : 1
• C. 8 : 1
• D. 6 : 1

Hint:

To convert beta-carotene to retinol equivalents according to ICMR 2020 guidelines, always divide the beta-carotene value by 8.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Dietary Vitamin A is obtained either as preformed Vitamin A (retinol) from animal sources or as provitamin A carotenoids (primarily beta-carotene) from plant sources.
Because the absorption and conversion efficiency of beta-carotene in the human gut is limited, a conversion factor is used to calculate Retinol Activity Equivalents (RAE).

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The Indian Council of Medical Research - National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN) updates these conversion factors based on domestic and international metabolic studies.
- In the ICMR-NIN (2020) Recommended Dietary Allowances report, the conversion ratio of dietary beta-carotene to active retinol is set at 8:1.
- This means that 8 micrograms ($\mu$g) of dietary beta-carotene from a mixed Indian diet is physiologically equivalent to 1 microgram ($\mu$g) of pure preformed retinol in the body.
- Older guidelines or other international standards sometimes used a 12:1 ratio (for general carotenoids) or 6:1 in highly bioavailable matrices, but the standard conversion factor adopted by ICMR 2020 for dietary beta-carotene in the Indian context is 8:1.
Therefore, Option (C) is the correct answer.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The ICMR (2020) recommended conversion factor of beta-carotene to Vitamin A is 8:1.