The main difference between biotin and keratin is that biotin increases the hair’s follicular growth rate, whereas keratin does not increase hair growth, but it makes hair stronger and less prone to breakage.
Biotin and keratin are two types of ingredients necessary for hair. However, biotin is vitamin B7, while keratin is a protein.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Biotin
– Definition, Structure, Function
2. What is Keratin
– Definition, Structure, Function
3. Similarities Between Biotin and Keratin
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Biotin and Keratin
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Biotin, Keratin
What is Biotin
Biotin is the general name for vitamin B7, a type of B vitamin. Other names for biotin are vitamin H and coenzyme R. Biotin assists in a range of metabolic reactions, transferring carbon dioxide between molecules. It is involved in the metabolism of both carbohydrates and fat. Therefore, it is essential to maintain a steady blood sugar level. Biotin also affects cell growth. However, many food items contain biotin, while intestinal bacteria also produce biotin. Therefore, biotin deficiency is a rare situation.
Figure 1: Biotin
Furthermore, biotin mainly occurs in chicken liver, beef liver, egg yolk, and peanuts. In food, biotin occurs bound to protein. Also, biotin occurs bound to peptides by the action of the digestive enzymes. Pancreatic secretions contain a biotinidase enzyme that releases biotin, and in the small intestine, biotin is absorbed into the body. On the other hand, the microbiota in the large intestine synthesize biotin in large amounts.
What is Keratin
Keratin is a fibrous structural protein that occurs in structural materials such as the outer layer of the skin, scales, hair, nails, feathers, horns, claws, and hooves. Alpha-keratin is the form of keratin that occurs in vertebrates. The primary function of keratin is to protect from damage. The assembly of keratin monomers into intermediate filaments forms epidermal appendages in reptiles, birds, mammals, and amphibians. They are strong, unmineralized structures that are epidermal appendages.
Figure 2: Keratin – a fibrous structural protein in horns
Moreover, beta-keratin occurs in sauropsids, which are reptiles and birds. Beta-keratin occurs in nails, scales, claws, and some shells. In birds, it occurs in feathers, beaks, and claws. Beta-keratin occurs in beta sheets. Concerning applications, keratin is essential for the hair as it makes it less prone to damage and strengthens hair.
Similarities Between Biotin and Keratin
- Biotin and keratin are two components essential for hair.
- They are essential for the health of hair.
Difference Between Biotin and Keratin
Definition
Biotin refers to a vitamin of the B complex found in egg yolk, liver, and yeast. It involves in the synthesis of fatty acids and glucose, while keratin refers to a fibrous protein forming the main structural constituent of hair, feathers, hoofs, claws, horns, etc.
Type
Biotin is vitamin B7, while keratin is a protein.
For Hair
Biotin is vital for hair growth, while keratin makes hair stronger and less prone to breakage.
For Hair Growth
Biotin increases follicular growth rate, while keratin does not increase hair growth.
Occurrence
Biotin occurs in chicken liver, beef liver, egg yolk, and peanuts, while keratin occurs in epidermal appendages in reptiles, birds, mammals, and amphibians.
Conclusion
In brief, biotin and keratin are two components essential for hair. Biotin is vitamin B7, a water-soluble vitamin. It is necessary for hair growth because it increases hair follicular growth. Biotin occurs in chicken liver, beef liver, egg yolk, and peanuts. In comparison, keratin is a structural protein that makes hair stronger and less prone to breakage. However, it does not induce hair growth. However, keratin occurs in the epidermal appendages of reptiles, birds, mammals, and amphibians. Therefore, the main difference between biotin and keratin is their influence on hair growth.
References:
- (n.d.-c). Biotin: Overview, uses, side effects, precautions, interactions, dosing and reviews. WebMD.
- Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (n.d.-b). Keratin. Encyclopædia Britannica.
Image Courtesy:
- “Biotin structure” By Mysid – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
- “Male impala profile” By Muhammad Mahdi Karim – Own Work (GFDL 1.2) via Commons Wikimedia
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