MOLECULE

Glyoxylic acid

Glyoxylic acid, also known as a-ketoacetate or glyoxalate, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as carboxylic acids. Carboxylic acids are compounds containing a carboxylic acid group with the formula -C(=O)OH. Glyoxylic acid is an extremely weak basic (essentially neutral) compound (based on its pKa). A 2-oxo monocarboxylic acid that is acetic acid bearing an oxo group at the alpha carbon atom. Glyoxylic acid exists in all living species, ranging from bacteria to humans. L-alanine and glyoxylic acid can be biosynthesized from glycine and pyruvic acid through its interaction with the enzyme serine--pyruvate aminotransferase. In humans, glyoxylic acid is involved in the metabolic disorder called the dimethylglycine dehydrogenase deficiency pathway. Outside of the human body, Glyoxylic acid has been detected, but not quantified in, tamarinds. This could make glyoxylic acid a potential biomarker for the consumption of these foods. Glyoxylic acid is a potentially toxic compound. Glyoxylic acid, with regard to humans, has been found to be associated with several diseases such as bladder infections and transurethral resection of the prostate; glyoxylic acid has also been linked to the inborn metabolic disorder primary hyperoxaluria I. Glyoxylic acid is expected to be in Cannabis as all living plants are known to produce and metabolize it.