BIOCHEMISTRY A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z                    HOME ABOUT CATEGORIES SITE MAP COPYRIGHT ADVERTISE CONTACT entire Web this site pyruvic acid > Pyruvic acid. Picture credit: Wikimedia Black = carbon, red = oxygen, white = hydrogen A colorless liquid organic acid. Pyruvic acid smells like vinegar and can be formed by the distillation of tartaric acid. It has the chemical formula CH3COCOOH. A derivative of pyruvic acid known as phenylpyruvic acid occurs in the urine of people who suffer from phenylketonuria. This is a disorder in which the amino acid phenylalanine is not metabolized normally. The carboxylate anion of pyruvic acid is known as pyruvate. Pyruvate is an important intermediate in metabolism, being produced during glycolysis and converted to acetyl coenzyme A, required for the citric acid cycle (Kreb's cycle). Under anaerobic conditions pyruvate is converted to lactate or ethanol. Related category    • BIOCHEMISTRY Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) BACK TO TOP