In this study the activity of beta-carotene towards steel corrosion in Ca(OH)(2) solution containing chloride ions was investigated. Concentration and time dependence of the protective properties of the passive film were acquired by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The best inhibitive performance (the longest pitting initiation time) increases with the concentration of beta-carotene. It is proposed that the overall inhibitive effect is due to formation of insoluble surface chelates and the effective blocking of the Cl- adsorption at the surface of passive film. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.