tartaric acid

American  

noun

Chemistry.

1. an organic compound, C 4 H 6 O 6 , existing in four isomeric forms, the common or dextrorotatory isomer being a white, crystalline, water-soluble powder or transparent crystals: used in effervescent beverages, baking powders, confections, photography, and tanning.

---

tartaric acid British  

noun

1. Systematic name: 2,3-dihydroxybutanedioic acid.  a colourless or white odourless crystalline water-soluble dicarboxylic acid existing in four stereoisomeric forms, the commonest being the dextrorotatory ( d- ) compound which is found in many fruits: used as a food additive ( E334 ) in soft drinks, confectionery, and baking powders and in tanning and photography. Formula: HOOCCH(OH)CH(OH)COOH

---

tartaric acid Scientific  

/ tär-tăr′ĭk /

1. A crystalline organic acid that exists in three isomeric forms and occurs widely in plants. It is found in byproducts of wine fermentation and has a wide variety of uses, including to make cream of tartar and baking powder, to add effervescence to beverages, to polish metal, in printing and dyeing, and to make photographic chemicals. Chemical formula: C ₄ H ₆ O ₆ .

---

Etymology

Origin of tartaric acid

First recorded in 1800–10

Example Sentences

I identify the markers of specific natural products: Tartaric acid is a fingerprint compound for grapes in the Middle East, for example, while calcium oxalate points to the presence of barley beer.

From Slate • Jan. 3, 2015

Tartaric acid occurs in large amounts only in grapes, and terebinth resin was a wine preservative used all over the ancient Near East up through Roman times.

From Time Magazine Archive

The impression is developed by immersion in Ferrous sulphate 8 parts Tartaric acid 4 parts Sulphuric acid 1 part Water 100 parts The image is rapidly developed.

From Photographic Reproduction Processes by Duchochois, Peter C.

Prepare three solutions as follows: A. Gum arabic, best quality 50 parts Water 170 parts B. Tartaric acid 12 parts Water 80 parts C. Ferric chloride solution at 45 deg.

From Photographic Reproduction Processes by Duchochois, Peter C.

Tartaric acid, a vegetable acid which exists in the grape.

From A Treatise on Domestic Economy For the Use of Young Ladies at Home and at School by Beecher, Catharine Esther