galacturonic acid [gə¦lakt·yə¦rän·ik ′as·əd]
Galacturonic Acid
(biochemistry)
The monobasic acid resulting from oxidation of the primary alcohol group ofD-galactose to carboxyl; it is widely distributed as a constituent of pectins and many plant gums and mucilages.
Galacturonic Acid
(also called hexuronic acid), formed in organisms by oxidation of the primary hydroxyl of galactose to a carboxyl group. The presence of aldehyde, hydroxyl, and carboxyl groups makes galacturonic acid a polyfunctional compound.
Galacturonic acid is widespread in nature and is a structural component of a number of higher polysaccharides. Together with other uronic acids, it forms readily in plant tissues and is a component of gums, mucilages, and other substances. Pectins are esters of macromolecular polygalacturonic acids. Under the action of the enzyme decarboxylase in plants, galacturonic acid changes into arabinose.
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