HYDROXYCHOLINE Meaning and
Definition
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Hydroxycholine, also known as 2-hydroxyethyldimethylammonium chloridate or choline hydroxide, is an organic compound that belongs to the class of quaternary ammonium salts. It is derived from choline, which is an essential nutrient crucial for normal functioning of cells and the synthesis of acetylcholine – a neurotransmitter involved in various physiological processes.
Chemically, hydroxycholine consists of a hydroxyethyl group attached to a dimethylammonium cation through a nitrogen atom, with a chloride ion as the counterion. It is a water-soluble compound that appears as a colorless or slightly yellowish liquid or crystalline solid.
Hydroxycholine finds applications in various fields, particularly in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. It is widely used as an intermediate or starting material in the synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds and biologically active substances. Additionally, it serves as a pH regulator, emulsifier, and stabilizer in cosmetic and personal care products, providing them with desired properties and enhancing their performance.
Furthermore, hydroxycholine possesses pronounced antimicrobial and antifungal properties, making it useful in the formulation of disinfectants, preservatives, and anti-infective agents. Its biocidal activity helps prevent the growth and proliferation of harmful microorganisms in various products and environments.
In summary, hydroxycholine is a quaternary ammonium salt derived from choline, possessing desirable properties such as water solubility, pH regulation, antimicrobial activity, and application versatility. Its presence in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries highlights its importance in the development and production of effective and safe products.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for HYDROXYCHOLINE
- hydroxycholinu
- hydroxycholinm
- hydroxycholina
- hydroxycholing
- hydroxychoeline
- h ydroxycholine
- hy droxycholine
- hyd roxycholine
- hydr oxycholine
- hydro xycholine
- hydrox ycholine
- hydroxy choline
- hydroxyc holine
- hydroxych oline
- hydroxycho line
- hydroxychol ine
- hydroxycholi ne
- hydroxycholin e
Etymology of HYDROXYCHOLINE
The word "hydroxycholine" does not have a specific etymology as it is not a recognized scientific term. It seems to be a combination of two words: "hydroxy" and "choline".
"Hydroxy" comes from the Greek word "hudro-" meaning water and "-oxy" meaning oxygen. In organic chemistry, "hydroxy" refers to a molecule that contains a hydroxyl group (-OH), which is a functional group consisting of an oxygen atom bonded to a hydrogen atom.
"Choline" refers to a quaternary ammonium compound that is essential for the synthesis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which plays a crucial role in the nervous system.
Therefore, "hydroxycholine" could possibly refer to a compound that contains a hydroxyl group attached to a choline molecule, but it is not a term commonly used in scientific literature.
