Hydroxy acids

Hydroxy acids are carboxylic acids containing one or more hydroxyl groups in the molecule. They are intermediate products of the metabolism of amino acids, carbohydrates and fatty acids.

One of the most famous representatives of hydroxy acids is lactic acid, which is formed in muscles as a result of anaerobic metabolism of glucose. Lactic acid can accumulate in muscles and cause fatigue, but it can also be used as an energy source for muscle cells.

Other examples of hydroxy acids are pyruvic acid, which is an intermediate in glucose metabolism, and citrulic acid, which is produced by amino acid metabolism in the Krebs cycle.

Hydroxy acids can also be used industrially, for example, lactic acid is used as a preservative and acidity regulator in foods, and oxalic acid is used to produce urea and other chemical compounds.

However, not all hydroxy acids are safe for humans. For example, glyoxylic acid, which is formed from the metabolism of glyceraldehyde, can cause negative health effects such as DNA damage and cancer development.

Thus, hydroxy acids are important metabolic intermediates that play a role in energy production and the production of chemical compounds. However, not all hydroxy acids are safe for humans, and care must be taken when using them in industry and the food industry.

An hydroxy acid is an oxygen-containing derivative of carboxylic acids that contain one or more hydroxyl groups (-OH). For example: lactic acid (lactic acid), malic acid, acetic acid. They can be either fatty or aromatic.

Hydroxy acids - a little used name