Question

Sporopollenin can't be degraded by any known enzyme then how does consuming it increase the perfomance of athletes since it cannot be degrade by the enzymes in our alimentary canal

Answer 1

The SEC(sporopollenin exine capsules) is made from a unique polymer, known as sporopollenin, which possess polycarotenoid like characteristics and is constructed only of carbon,hydrogen and oxygen. As such it is extremely tough, resistant to acid and alkali degradation and has been shown to pass unchanged though the digestive system of animals. To produce SEC, the spores from Lycopodium clavatum are initially emptied of all their genetic/protein material. The empty SEC can then be loaded with the “active”, for example fish oil or a vitamin. The filled SEC is a powder, which could potentially be consumed by the individuals as a supplement or incorporated into a food or drink by a manufacturer to produce a functional food.
This powder inside the capsule is used to increase performance.