Organic acids are organic compounds that are acidic in nature. The most common organic acids are carboxylic acids, with acidity derived from the carboxyl group (-COOH). Sulfonic acid (-SO3H), sulfinic acid (RSOOH), and sulfuric acid are also organic acids.
What is an organic acid
Organic acids are organic compounds that are acidic in nature. The most common organic acids are carboxylic acids, with acidity derived from the carboxyl group (-COOH). Sulfonic acid (-SO3H), sulfinic acid (RSOOH), and sulfuric acid (RCOSH) are also organic acids.
Organic acids can react with alcohols to form esters. Carboxyl group is the functional group of carboxylic acid. Except for formic acid (H2CO2), carboxylic acid can be regarded as a derivative of the hydrogen atom in the hydroxyl molecule after being replaced by the carboxyl group. Expressed by the general formula (Ar)R-COOH, carboxylic acids often exist widely in nature in the free state or in the form of salts and esters. A derivative in which the hydrogen atom on the hydroxyl group of a carboxylic acid molecule is replaced by another atom or group of atoms is called a substituted carboxylic acid. Important substituted carboxylic acids include halogenated acids, hydroxy acids, keto acids and amino acids. Some of these compounds are involved in the life processes of plant and animal metabolism, some are intermediate products of metabolism, some have significant biological activity and can prevent and cure diseases, and some are raw materials for organic synthesis, industrial and agricultural production and pharmaceutical industry.
Organic acids are widely distributed in the leaves, roots, and especially fruits of herbs, such as umeboshi, schisandra, raspberry, etc. Common organic acids in plants include aliphatic mono-, di- and poly-carboxylic acids such as tartaric acid, oxalic acid, malic acid, raffinate, and ascorbic acid (i.e. vitamin C), and aromatic organic acids such as benzoic acid, salicylic acid, and caffeic acid (Caffelc acid). Except for a few existing in the free state, they are generally combined with potassium, sodium and calcium to form salts, and some are combined with alkaloids to form salts.
Functions of organic acids
Organic acids can increase the intracellular osmotic pressure by dissociating acid ions or hydrogen ions into bacterial cell membranes, lowering the acid value of the internal environment, leading to the disruption of normal metabolism of bacteria and even lysis and death, and indirectly reducing the number of harmful bacteria. Organic acids not only can lower the pH in the environment, but can also achieve bacterial inhibition by damaging bacterial cell membranes, interfering with the synthesis of bacterial enzymes, and affecting the replication of bacterial DNA.
Organic acids are used in aquaculture by splashing, and they reduce the toxicity of heavy metals such as Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn by adsorption, oxidation or complexation.
Organic acids promote animal digestion by influencing metabolic activities and increasing enzyme activities. Certain organic acids such as citric acid can participate in the tricarboxylic acid cycle and the production and conversion of ATP, accelerating the metabolism of animals. Jhanosolic acid can improve the activity of mitochondrial adenylate cyclase, intragastric enzymes, etc., which facilitates energy production and decomposition of macromolecules such as fat and protein, and promotes absorption and utilization. In addition, it is also involved in amino acid conversion, and under the stimulation of stressors, the body can synthesize ATP to produce anti-stress effects.
The combination of standard samples and mass spectrometry such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) enables efficient and accurate qualitative and quantitative analysis of organic acids. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or liquid mass spectrometry (LC-MS) can also be used for the precise determination of organic acids.
Food Sources and Effects of Carotenoids
The major carotenoids contain α-carotene, β-carotene, γ-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, etc. Among the three isomers of carotenoids, β-carotene has the highest content and γ-carotene the least. α, β, γ-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin can be decomposed to form vitamin A, while lutein, zeaxanthin and lycopene don't have the activity of vitamin A, so they cannot be decomposed to vitamin A.
The Essential Role of Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids in Human Health
Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are unsaturated fats essential for maintaining good health. These polyunsaturated fats, which are liquid at room temperature and even when chilled, play a crucial role in bodily functions and must be obtained through diet as the body cannot produce them. Understanding the balance and benefits of these fatty acids is key to preventing chronic diseases and ensuring optimal health.
Lipidomics in Microbial Research
Lipids are a class of metabolites with diverse chemical structures. More than just components of cell membranes and energy storage substances, lipid can perform a variety of important biological functions in life activities.
