Fish Nutrition and Feed Technology (2+1)

Unit 4 - Lipids

4.7.Bile acids

These steroids are formed by the combination of the amino acids glycine or taurine with cholic acid (a derivative of cholesterol). The bile acids are formed and concentrated by the liver, and are excreted by the liver into the bile and pass to the gastro-intestinal tract (duodenum) via the bile duct, where they act as important biological emulsifiers. They help to solubilise fat globules from the food so that the water soluble enzymes or lipases can react with the fat molecules and split them to facilitate fat absorption. Bile acids also facilitate the major excretion route of cholesterol.