Important Organic Acids with their Sources

Unveiling the Origins: Key Organic Acids & Their Natural Sources

Organic acids are compounds containing carbon and hydrogen, often with oxygen and other elements, and they are naturally found in various living organisms

What is acid? Acids are compounds that contain one or more hydrogen (H) atoms and produce hydronium ions (H3O+) as the only positive ions in the solutions of water. The PH value of acids is less than 7 and turns blue litmus to red.

What is organic acid? Organic acids are a diverse group of organic compounds characterized by the presence of a carboxyl group (-COOH). This functional group gives organic acids their characteristic acidic properties, allowing them to donate a hydrogen ion (H+) to a base in an aqueous solution.

Exception: Carbonic Acid (H₂CO₃)is not an organic acid though it contains Carbon atom in its molecule.

*Note: Hydrochloric acid is an Inorganic acid

List of Organic Acids with their Sources and Formula

# Acetic acid :

Source: Vinegar, produced by the fermentation of alcoholic liquids like wine, cider, and beer.

Formula: CH₃COOH

# Citric acid :

Source: Citrus fruits such as lemon, lime, orange, etc.

Formula : C₆H₈O₇

# Butyric Acid :

Source : Rancid butter and milk

Formula : CH₃CH₂CH₂-COOH

# Hydrochloric Acid :

Source: Gastric juice

Formula: HCl

# Formic Acid :

Source: sting of bees and ants.

Formula: HCO₂H

# Lactic Acid :

Source: Sour milk

Formula: C₂H₄OHCOOH

# Maleic Acid :

Source: Apples and Grapes

Formula: HO₂CCH₂CHOHCO₂H

# Oleic Acid :

Source: Olive Oil

Formula: C₁₈H₃₄O₂

# Oxalic Acid :

Source: Tomatoes, Rhubarb, spinach

Formula: H₂C₂O₄

# Stearic Acid :

Source: Fats

Formula : CH₃(CH₂)₁₆COOH

# Tarteric Acid :

Source: Grapes, tamarinds, pineapples

Formula: C₄H₆O₆

# Uric Acid :

Source: Urin

Formula: C₅H₄N₄O₃

# Palmitic Acid:

Source: Animal fats

Formula: C₁₆H₃₂O₂

# Caproic Acid:

Source: Coconut oil

Formula: C₆H₁₂O₂

Organic acids are found widely in nature, both in plants and animals. They play essential roles in various biological processes, including:

Organic acids and their sources are very important for your upcoming competitive examinations for government jobs such as UPSC, IAS, CGL, SSC, CHSL, MTS, Railway, Banking, etc.

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