Pyruvic Acid

H₃C-CO-CO-OH

2-Oxopropionic acid, Acetylformic acid, C₃H₄O₃ MW 88,06 g/Mol

Pyruvic acid is a liquid with a smell similar to acetic acid, whose derivatives are called Pyruvates. As α-Keto acid it has a central meaning as intermediate in the biological metabolism, especially in the alcoholic fermentation under anaerobic conditions.

Physiology

In the body Pyruvic acid results from breaking down of glucose in a so-called glycolyse reaction, whereby additionally ATP and NADH are formed. For the further metabolism there are several possibilities:

with sufficient oxygen (aerobe conditions) Acetyl Coenzyme A is formed, which leads to further ATP and NADH in the so-called Citrat Cyclus
as reversal of the glycolyse glucose can be reformed
by transamination the synthesis of the amino acid alanine occurs
under anaerobic conditions, in plants, mushrooms and some micro organisms ethanol is formed over the intermediate stage of acetaldehyde (ethanal)
in the animal organism in presence of Lactat Dehydrogenase and NADH Lactic acid is formed

With toxic cell damages Pyruvic acid is concentrated in serum and urine.

	1-Propanol	Encyclopedia	Raki
	1-Propanol	Sitemap Chemical Substances / Enzymes