In Australia, organic β-carotene is produced by Aquacarotene Limited from dried marine algae Dunaliella salina grown in harvesting ponds situated in Karratha, Western Australia. BASF Australia is also producing β-carotene from microalgae grown in two sites in Australia that are the worlds largest algae farms. In Portugal, the industrial biotechnology company Biotrend is producing natural all-trans-β-carotene from a non-genetically-modified bacteria of the genus Sphingomonas isolated from soil. Carotenes are also found in palm oil, corn, and in the milk of dairy cows, causing cows milk to be light yellow, depending on the feed of the cattle, and the amount of fat in the milk (high-fat milks, such as those produced by Guernsey cows, tend to be yellower because their fat content causes them to contain more carotene). Carotenes are also found in some species of termites, where they apparently have been picked up from the diet of the insects. Synthesis
There are currently two commonly used methods of total synthesis of β-carotene. The first was developed by BASF and is based on the Wittig reaction with Wittig himself as patent holder:
The second is a Grignard reaction, elaborated by Hoffman-La Roche from the original synthesis of Inhoffen et al. They are both symmetrical; the BASF synthesis is C20 + C20, and the Hoffman-La Roche synthesis is C19 + C2 + C19. Nomenclature
Carotenes are carotenoids containing no oxygen. Carotenoids containing some oxygen are known as xanthophylls. The two ends of the β-carotene molecule are structurally identical, and are called β-rings.
Acrodysostosis  is a rare congenital malformation syndrome which involves shortening of the interphalangeal joints of the hands and feet, intellectual disability in approximately 90% of affected children, and peculiar facies. Other common abnormalities include short head (as measured front to back), small broad upturned nose with flat nasal bridge, protruding jaw, increased bone age, intrauterine growth retardation, juvenile arthritis and short stature. Further abnormalities of the skin, genitals, teeth, and skeleton may occur.Other common abnormalities include short head (as measured front to back), small broad upturned nose with flat nasal bridge, protruding jaw, increased bone age, intrauterine growth retardation, juvenile arthritis and short stature. Further abnormalities of the skin, genitals, teeth, and skeleton may occur. Signs and Symptoms
Acrodysostosis presents with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. The following is a list of conditions and complications associated with acrodysostosis. Bone issues
Skeletal dysplasia (dwarfism, short stature)
Brachydactyly
Advanced bone age
Bone plate fusing
Scoliosis
Pain – joint, hip, lower back, wrist

Endocrine
Hypothyroidism
Hypoparathyroidism
Pseudohypoparathyroidism
Vitamin D deficiency
Thyroid cysts
Type 1 diabetes

Behavioural / Developmental / Emotional
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Cognitive impairment
Sensory issues
Gross motor delays
Fine motor delays

Craniofacial and dental
Cranial frontal nasal syndrome Midface hypoplasia
Depressed nasal bridge
Retrognathia
Glossoptosis
High palate
Mandibular distraction surgery Jaw surgery
Underbite
Chalky teeth
Overcrowded teeth
Early eruption of adult teeth
Small, unaligned teeth

Cardiology
Hypertension
Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)
Aortic Coarctation
Middle Aortic Syndrome (MAS) Coarctation of abdominal aorta Bradycardia
Bicuspid aortic valve

Causes
Acrodysostosis is believed to be caused by mutations in the PRKAR1A gene (type 1) or the PDE4D gene (type 2). It has been suggested that the condition might be genetically related i.e. in an autosomal dominant mode of transmission.