Meconic acid

Meconic acid

0Meconic acid is an organic compound that is a major component of meconium, the first feces of a newborn mammal. It is a dicarboxylic acid that is found in the opium poppy, Papaver somniferum, and in related species. Meconic acid has a number of important chemical and biological properties, and it is used in a variety of applications in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries.

Chemical properties

Meconic acid is a dicarboxylic acid, meaning it has two carboxyl groups. It is a white crystalline substance that is soluble in water and alcohol. The chemical formula of meconic acid is C7H4O7, and its molecular weight is 196.10 g/mol. It has a melting point of 205-206 °C.

Biological properties

Meconic acid is found in the opium poppy, Papaver somniferum, and in related species. It is a major component of meconium, the first feces of a newborn mammal. Meconic acid has been shown to have a number of biological effects, including anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. It is also used as a marker in the detection of opium use.

Applications

Meconic acid is used in a variety of applications in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. It is used as a reagent in chemical synthesis, and it is also used in the manufacture of certain types of dyes. In the pharmaceutical industry, meconic acid is used in the production of certain types of drugs, including analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs.

See also

• Dicarboxylic acid
• Meconium
• Papaver somniferum
• Opium