lactic acid

American  

noun

Biochemistry.

1. a colorless or yellowish, syrupy, water-soluble liquid, C 3 H 6 O 3 , produced during muscle contraction as a product of anaerobic glucose metabolism, abundant in sour milk, prepared usually by fermentation of cornstarch, molasses, potatoes, etc., or synthesized: used chiefly in dyeing and textile printing, as a flavoring agent in food, and in medicine.

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lactic acid British  

noun

1. Systematic name: 2-hydroxypropanoic acid.  a colourless syrupy carboxylic acid found in sour milk and many fruits and used as a preservative ( E270 ) for foodstuffs, such as soft margarine, and for making pharmaceuticals and adhesives. Formula: CH 3 CH(OH)COOH

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lactic acid Scientific  

/ lăk′tĭk /

1. A syrupy, water-soluble organic acid produced when milk sours or certain fruits ferment. It is also produced in the body during the anaerobic metabolism of glucose, as in muscle tissue during exercise, where its buildup can cause cramping pains. A synthetic form of lactic acid is used as a flavoring and preservative, in dyeing and textile printing, and in pharmaceuticals. Chemical formula: C ₃ H ₆ O ₃ .

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Etymology

Origin of lactic acid

First recorded in 1780–90

Example Sentences

"We observed that sourdoughs develop into stable microbial ecosystems, with lactic acid bacteria and yeasts in a complex balance," he says.

From Science Daily

Their shoulders must be rubbed every hour and they must be allowed to shake the lactic acid buildup out of their joints each hour.

From Literature

“It’s searing pain from all the lactic acid. It floods your system. You blow capillaries in your eyes, you throw up after races,” said Cheek, now an NBC analyst.

From The Wall Street Journal

"Keely can be doing certain repetitions, and she's being physically sick from the lactic acid. It's a little bit inhumane at times."

From BBC

Nicole knew all about lactic acid buildup, but she was surprised Rashawn knew about it, and what to do to get rid of it.

From Literature