lactic acid

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lactic acid (2-hydroxypropanoic acid) An alpha hydroxy carboxylic acid, CH3CH(OH)COOH, with a sour taste. Lactic acid is produced from pyruvic acid in active muscle tissue when oxygen is limited (see oxygen debt) and subsequently removed for conversion to glucose by the liver. During strenuous exercise it may build up in the muscles, causing cramplike pains. It is also produced by fermentation in certain bacteria and is characteristic of sour milk.

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