Beta,beta-carotene 9',10'-oxygenase (BCO2)

Asymmetrically cleaves beta-carotene at the 9',10' double bond resulting in the formation of beta-apo-10'-carotenal and beta-ionone. Besides beta-carotene, lycopene is also oxidatively cleaved.

The apocarotenals formed by this enzyme might be the precursors for the biosynthesis of retinoic acid or exert unknown physiological outcomes. .