The gallbladder stores bile, which is a yellowish green liquid that is continuously secreted by the hepatic cells, between meals, increases the concentration of bile by reabsorbing water, and regulates the movement of bile into the small intestine. The bile stored in the gallbladder is composed of bile salts, bile pigments, cholesterol, and various electrolytes. Bile goes into the duodenum only when the gallbladder is stimulated to contract by the hormone cholecystokinin. One of the most important parts of bile is the bile salts. The bile salts do not function as digestive enzymes, but they do aid in digesting process.
Bile salts enhance the absorption properties of the fatty acids and certain fat-soluble vitamins.
When they do, the form fat globules. The masses of fat formed are difficult to digest, and this is where bile salts come in. Bile salts cause fat globules to break up. This makes it easier for fat-splitting enzymes to digest the fat molecules. The process of breaking up fat globules is called emulsification.