What Is Biotin?
Biotin is a nutrient, commonly known as vitamin B7 or vitamin H.It is a substance that is synthesized in plants and also by the microbiota of the large intestine in humans. It is known to be involved in maintaining healthy skin and mucous membranes, as well as in the health of nails and hair.
A deficiency of biotin leads not only to rough skin, but also to mental health problems, such as symptoms of depression. It is known to be abundantly contained in mushrooms and meat, and a daily intake of 50 µg can be achieved by maintaining a well-balanced diet.
Uses of Biotin
The most common use of biotin is in medicines related to skin conditions. Because of its reported ability to prevent skin inflammation, biotin is sometimes prescribed as a supplement for eczema, contact dermatitis, acne, and other skin conditions.
Properties of Biotin
Biotin has a melting point of 232-233°C. It is stable against acids, alkalis, and light, but unstable against heat.
Biotin is soluble in water and alcohol, but insoluble in organic solvents. It is partially lost during food processing.
Biotin is a white, needle-like crystal with the chemical formula C10H16N2O3S and a molecular weight of 244.31. It is also a component of coenzyme A (CoA).
Other Information on Biotin
1. How to Consume Biotin
Biotin is abundant in meats and other foods, but it is important to consume it in its least processed form possible, as its residual rate varies depending on how it is processed and stored. If it is still not possible to consume biotin, it can be obtained through supplements.
2. Biosynthesis of Biotin
Biotin is an essential nutrient for all organisms, but only some microorganisms, molds, and plants can biosynthesize it.
Biotin in food is released in its free form by the enzyme biotinidase, bound to proteins such as biocytin and biotinyl peptides. Biotin in supplements is already in its free form and is therefore easily absorbed.
Free biotin is absorbed in the small intestine. It is then turned into a coenzyme for carboxylase by holocarboxylase and synthetic enzymes.
3. Biotin as a Coenzyme
Biotin acts as a coenzyme for carboxyltransferase. A group of enzymes that have biotin as a coenzyme is called the biotin enzyme group.
Examples of biotin enzymes are pyruvate carboxylase and acetyl CoA carboxylase. Pyruvate carboxylase is involved in sugar metabolism, while acetyl-CoA carboxylase is involved in fatty acid synthesis.
Others include propionyl CoA carboxylase and 3-methylcrotonyl CoA carboxylase. Propionyl CoA carboxylase is involved in amino acid and fatty acid metabolism, while 3-methylcrotonyl CoA carboxylase is an enzyme involved in the metabolism of leucine, a type of amino acid.
4. Uses of Biotin
Avidin in raw egg white will bind very strongly to biotin; by binding biotin to the target molecule, it becomes a landmark and can be detected by avidin. This method is used in blood tests. In some cases, high blood levels of biotin from over-supplementation can lead to erroneous blood test results for thyroid hormones and vitamin D3.
Serum biotin levels are not good indicators of inadequate biotin intake. Rather, the biotin levels are measured in order to assess the accuracy of other serology results.
5. Intake of Biotin
Biotin cannot be biosynthesized in mammals. Synthesis by intestinal bacteria alone is likely to be insufficient to meet the required amount, so it must be obtained from food. Biotin is found in a wide variety of foods and a deficiency does not occur with a healthy diet. However, long-term use of antibiotics theoretically increases the dietary requirement for biotin.
Furthermore, because biotin is a water-soluble vitamin, it is easily excreted in urine when taken in excess. There are no reported health problems caused by overdose and no upper tolerable limit has been established.