Glyceric aldehyde

Glyceric acid (also known as 2,3-dihydroxypropanoic acid) is a biochemical compound that plays a significant role in various metabolic processes. It is a hydroxy acid that contains both an alcohol and a carboxylic acid group.

Chemical Structure and Properties

Glyceric acid is a three-carbon molecule with a carboxylic acid group at one end and a hydroxyl group at the other two carbons. The presence of these functional groups gives glyceric acid its unique chemical properties. It is a white, crystalline solid at room temperature and is soluble in water due to the presence of polar hydroxyl and carboxylic acid groups.

Biological Role

In biological systems, glyceric acid is an important intermediate in the glycolysis pathway, a metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate. It is produced from glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate through the action of the enzyme glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase. Glyceric acid can also be converted back into glucose via the gluconeogenesis pathway.

Industrial Uses

Glyceric acid is used in the food industry as a flavoring agent and humectant. It is also used in the production of polymers and plasticizers, and as a building block in the synthesis of other chemical compounds.

Safety

Glyceric acid is generally considered safe for use in food and pharmaceuticals. However, like all chemicals, it should be handled with care to avoid skin and eye contact, and ingestion or inhalation.

See Also

• Glycolysis
• Gluconeogenesis
• Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase