glucuronic acid A compound, OC₆H₉O₆, derived from the oxidation of glucose. It is an important constituent of gums and mucilages. Glucuronic acid can combine with hydroxyl (–OH), carboxyl (–COOH), or amino (–NH₂) groups to form a glucuronide. The addition of a glucuronide group to a molecule (glucuronidation) generally increases the solubility of a compound; hence glucuronidation plays an important role in the excretion of foreign substances (see phase II metabolism).

glucuronic acid The acid derived from glucose by the oxidation of the hydroxyl group on carbon‐6. Many substances, including hormones and potentially toxic ingested substances, are excreted as conjugates with glucuronic acid, known as glucuronides. It is present in various complex polysaccharides.

glucuronic acid (gloo-kewr-on-ik) n. a sugar acid derived from glucose. Glucuronic acid is an important constituent of chondroitin sulphate (found in cartilage) and hyaluronic acid (found in synovial fluid).