Beta-carotene is a red natural pigment, which is extracted from beet roots at an altitude of 2000-4000 meters. It is widely used as a colorant in food, beverage and cosmetics.

Secretion of betalain

After the human body absorbs lycopene from food, it can be absorbed into the blood circulation through the gastrointestinal tract and then metabolized by the liver. After being metabolized, the metabolites of beet pigment can be excreted by the kidney, or by the bile of the liver, and then absorbed after entering the small intestine. In the process of excretion, the structure of lycopene is:

gastrointestinal tract

blood circulation

liver

Kidney/bile

small intestine

Gastrointestinal absorption

Lycopene can be decomposed by enzymes in the intestine after it enters the gastrointestinal tract from food, releasing lycopene glycoside and free lycopene. Beta-carotene glycosides are more easily absorbed than free beta-carotene because they have been combined with sugar molecules and can easily cross the intestinal wall. Once in the blood circulation, beta-carotene will be metabolized and decomposed by the liver.

Metabolic decomposition of liver

The liver is the center of human metabolism. It has various enzymes and metabolic pathways, and can metabolize most chemicals and excrete them. Lycopene is decomposed into different metabolites after being metabolized by the liver. Among them, betanin is the main metabolite of betanin, and there are some other metabolites, including amaranth and xanthohumol.

Renal/bile excretion

The kidney is one of the main organs for eliminating metabolites in the body, which can be excreted through urine. Some metabolites of betacyanin can be directly excreted by kidney metabolism. In addition, some metabolites of beet pigment can also be excreted through bile. Bile is synthesized by the liver and then stored in the gallbladder. When the fat intake is too high, the gallbladder will contract, releasing bile into the small intestine to decompose and absorb fat.

Small intestine reabsorption

After being excreted by bile, the metabolites of beet pigment will enter the small intestine for reabsorption. In the small intestine, metabolites can be mixed with other chemicals in bile, and then form small intestine bile, which is absorbed into the blood circulation again.

conclusion

From the above analysis, it can be seen that the metabolic pathway of lycopene in human body is complicated, and it has to go through many processes such as absorption, metabolism and excretion. By understanding the metabolic pathway of lycopene, people can better understand the transformation process of metabolites in the body, which is helpful to maintain health and nutritional balance.