Kynurenic acid (KYNA) is an endogenous antagonist of ionotropic glutamate receptors and the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor,
showing anticonvulsant and neuroprotective activity. In this study, the presence of KYNA in food and honeybee products was
investigated. KYNA was found in all 37 tested samples of food and honeybee products. The highest concentration of KYNA was
obtained from honeybee products’ samples, propolis (9.6 nmol/g), honey (1.0–4.8 nmol/g) and bee pollen (3.4 nmol/g). A high
concentration was detected in fresh broccoli (2.2 nmol/g) and potato (0.7 nmol/g). Only traces of KYNA were found in some
commercial baby products. KYNA administered intragastrically in rats was absorbed from the intestine into the blood stream
and transported to the liver and to the kidney. In conclusion, we provide evidence that KYNA is a constituent of food and
that it can be easily absorbed from the digestive system.
Keywords Kynurenic acid - Food - Honeybee product - Digestive system - Absorption