How big is the human metabolome ?

Question

[tevlon84]

Hi there,

from HMDB I know that there are 41993 entries, where 29289 entries are endogenous. But i also know, that this data is still extending and not complete. Is there any estimation on how big the human metabolome is ? Can it be that this will rise to 60000 in the near future for example ?

[Benn]

Maybe ask this question on a Biochemistry forum?

Answer 1

[bulldogshepherd]

Recently I saw a presentation of a metabolomics researcher, and he said that there was an estimation of approx. 2500 metabolites in human (Ryals 2004). But the number of HMDB entries exceeded it by far and researchers were suprised (though he added 41993 might include metabolites digested from food). So as far as I know there's no recent reliable estimation.