Carotenoid significantly influences the quality and usability of tobacco. In this review the type, the content and the physiological effect of tobacco carotenoid were concisely introduced.The change of carotenoid in tobacco in the mature and tobacco curing progresshis was mainly focused.The carotenoid degrading biosyntheses was focused on.The degrading products on tobacco quality were also analyzed.The influent factors of the content of carotenoid and degrading products were analyzed. Carotenoid can reduce free radical in tar.