MOLECULE

Glycolic acid

Glycolic acid, also known as 2-hydroxyacetate or glycolate, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as alpha hydroxy acids and derivatives. These are organic compounds containing a carboxylic acid substituted with a hydroxyl group on the adjacent carbon. Glycolic acid is an extremely weak basic (essentially neutral) compound (based on its pKa). Glycolic acid exists in all living species, ranging from bacteria to humans. In humans, glycolic acid is involved in rosiglitazone metabolism pathway. Outside of the human body, Glycolic acid has been detected, but not quantified in, several different foods, such as sourdocks, pineappple sages, celeriacs, cloves, and feijoa. This could make glycolic acid a potential biomarker for the consumption of these foods. Once applied, glycolic acid reacts with the upper layer of the epidermis, weakening the binding properties of the lipids that hold the dead skin cells together. Glycolic acid is a potentially toxic compound. Glycolic acid, with regard to humans, has been found to be associated with several diseases such as transurethral resection of the prostate and biliary atresia; glycolic acid has also been linked to several inborn metabolic disorders including glutaric acidemia type 2, glycolic aciduria, and d-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria. Glycolic and oxalic acid, along with excess lactic acid, are responsible for the anion gap metabolic acidosis. Glycolic acid is expected to be in Cannabis as all living plants are known to produce and metabolize it.