Broad specificity mitochondrial dioxygenase that mediates the asymmetric oxidative cleavage of carotenoids. Cleaves carotenes (pure hydrocarbon carotenoids) such as all-trans-beta-carotene and lycopene as well as xanthophylls (oxygenated carotenoids) such as zeaxanthin, lutein and beta-cryptoxanthin at both the 9,10 and the 9',10' carbon- carbon double bond. Through its function in carotenoids metabolism regulates oxidative stress and the production of important signaling molecules. . This is the function of Ensembl gene identifier ENSG00000197580 (BCO2, beta-carotene oxygenase 2).