"Scientists Uncover the Enzyme Behind Urine's Yellow Hue"

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Source: CBS News
"Scientists Uncover the Enzyme Behind Urine's Yellow Hue"
Photo: CBS News
TL;DR

Scientists have discovered the enzyme responsible for the yellow color of urine, solving a long-standing biological mystery. The enzyme, bilirubin reductase, is produced by gut microbes and converts bilirubin into urobilinogen, which then degrades into urobilin, the pigment that gives urine its yellow hue. This finding, published in Nature Microbiology, could have implications for understanding gut health, inflammatory bowel disease, and jaundice. The research also highlights that the presence of different colors in urine can indicate various health conditions or dietary influences.

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