ID-Vit® Biotin direct MTP assay

Biotin (vitamin H) is widespread in bacteria, fungi, higher plants and animal tissues.
The major part of biotin in food is covalently bound to protein with only a small part
being freely available. During digestion, biocytin (biotinyl-lysin) is released from the
proteins and can, similarly to biotin, easily be taken up from the intestine. Biotin is
then released by the enzyme biocytinase from biocytin in plasma and erythrocytes
and is available as prosthetic group for several biotin-dependent enzymes.
The daily biotin requirement is difficult to estimate because a healthy intestinal flora
endogenously synthetises biotin and thereby helps to satisfy this need. Recent findings
suggest that adults need a daily intake of 100–200µg biotin. Supplementation
on a miligram scale leads to significant improvement regarding neuropathology and
glucose metabolism of chronic hemodialysis patients.