# MetaCyc vs. KEGG

**URL:** <https://forum.biobakery.org/t/metacyc-vs-kegg/2540>\
**Category:** HUMAnN\
**Created:** [August 31, 2021, 9:00pm UTC](https://forum.biobakery.org/t/metacyc-vs-kegg/2540 "2021-08-31T21:00:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Dario](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bc79bd/32.png) [@Dario](https://forum.biobakery.org/u/Dario)\
**Post date:** [August 31, 2021, 9:00pm UTC](https://forum.biobakery.org/t/metacyc-vs-kegg/2540/1 "2021-08-31T21:00:06Z")

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I carried out a HUMAnN 3 analysis which, by default, relies on MetaCyc database. My collaborator asked me if I could do a KEGG pathway analysis instead. I think I could based on the documentation I read, but what are the advantages and disadvantages of each? I wonder if changing my pipeline is worthwhile.

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**Author:** ![franzosa](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.biobakery.org/franzosa/32/3511_2.png) [@franzosa](https://forum.biobakery.org/u/franzosa)\
**Post date:** [September 3, 2021, 9:39pm UTC](https://forum.biobakery.org/t/metacyc-vs-kegg/2540/2 "2021-09-03T21:39:42Z")

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The MetaCyc authors offer a comparison with KEGG in their 2020 update paper that might be of use to you:

> **[MetaCyc database of metabolic pathways and enzymes - a 2019 update](https://academic.oup.com/nar/article/48/D1/D445/5581728#190997254)**
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> Abstract. MetaCyc (MetaCyc.org) is a comprehensive reference database of metabolic pathways and enzymes from all domains of life. It contains 2749 pathways deri

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**Author:** ![Dario](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bc79bd/32.png) [@Dario](https://forum.biobakery.org/u/Dario)\
**Post date:** [September 3, 2021, 11:00pm UTC](https://forum.biobakery.org/t/metacyc-vs-kegg/2540/3 "2021-09-03T23:00:02Z")

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Excellent recommendation. Thank you.

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**Author:** ![Peter\_Karp](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.biobakery.org/peter_karp/32/2311_2.png) [@Peter\_Karp](https://forum.biobakery.org/u/Peter_Karp)\
**Post date:** [July 21, 2023, 12:33am UTC](https://forum.biobakery.org/t/metacyc-vs-kegg/2540/4 "2023-07-21T00:33:06Z")

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We have a more recent and more detailed comparison of KEGG and BioCyc here:  
[https://bioinformatics.ai.sri.com/biocyc/kegg-biocyc-2023-03.pdf](https://bioinformatics.ai.sri.com/biocyc/kegg-biocyc-2023-03.pdf)