Biliverdin

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The biliverdin (Latin bilis " bile " viridis "green") is a green breakdown product of red blood pigment hemoglobin, more specifically that of hematoporphyrin, which forms the heme portion together with iron. It belongs to the group of Bilatriene. The globin portion ( a protein) is again broken down into amino acids and provided to the synthesis metabolism available again. Biliverdin is the precursor of bilirubin and is non-toxic, and even has an antioxidant. It thus protects the vessels and fatty acids from oxidation. The fabric has a moderately good water solubility and is partially excreted in the urine.

When bile excretion disorders, liver cirrhosis and hepatitis biliverdin comes in higher concentrations in the blood. The degradation of this substance can be observed very well in the healing of a hematoma. The bruise turns green slowly ( biliverdin ), later yellow ( bilirubin). Biliverdin is the chromophore in bacterial phytochromes, red light receptors, which are also found in plants.

The degradation to bilirubin is catalyzed by the enzyme biliverdin reductase.

By intercalated biliverdin the bones of the ordinary Horn Hecht ( Belone belone ) and the eelpout ( Zoarces viviparus ) are colored green.