Organic Acids Notes with PDF
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Acids and Biological Processes
Muscle Fatigue
- Cause: The sensation of fatigue in muscles after prolonged strenuous work is primarily caused by the accumulation of lactic acid in muscle tissues.
Acids in Milk and Curd
- Sour Milk & Curd: The acid present is lactic acid.
- Cause of Souring: The souring of milk is due to the formation of lactic acid.
- Microorganism Responsible: The process is a biotechnological one involving bacteria.
- Clarification:
- Lactose is a sugar found in milk and is not the acid responsible for sourness.
- The association of acetic acid with curd is incorrect.
Natural Sources of Common Acids
| Acid Name | Natural Source(s) |
|---|---|
| Acetic Acid | Vinegar |
| Lactic Acid | Sour milk, Curd |
| Citric Acid | Lemon, other citrus fruits, Tomatoes |
| Butyric Acid | Rancid butter |
| Formic Acid | Red ants |
| Malic Acid | Apple |
| Tartaric Acid | Grapes, Tamarind, Bananas |
| Oxalic Acid | Tomatoes (rich source for nutrition) |
| Carbonic Acid | Soda water, Cold drinks |
| Hydrochloric Acid | Gastric juice in the stomach |
Properties and Uses of Acids
Acid Strength
- Relative Strength: Formic Acid (HCOOH) is a stronger acid than Acetic Acid (CH₃COOH).
- Reason: This is due to the electron-donating effect of the additional methyl group (-CH₃) in acetic acid, which stabilizes the acetate ion less effectively than the formate ion. (Both are organic acids, so being “organic” is not the differentiating factor).
Optical Activity
- Definition: A property where a compound rotates the plane of plane-polarized light.
- Example: The amino acid Glycine is not optically active. Other amino acids like Alanine and Serine are optically active.
Common Uses
- Acetic Acid (in Vinegar): Used as a preservative. Produced by fermentation of sugarcane juice or other sources.
- Tartaric Acid: Used in the manufacturing of baking powder.
- Oxalic Acid: Used in photography.
Other Compounds Mentioned
- Calcium phosphate: A compound present in bones.
- Maltose: A sugar found in malt.
Know More About Organic Acids: