MECONIC ACID Meaning and
Definition
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Meconic acid is an organic compound with the molecular formula C7H6O7. It is a crystalline, white powder that is slightly soluble in water. Meconic acid is a dibasic acid, meaning it contains two carboxylic acid groups, and it belongs to the group of compounds known as oxalic acid derivatives. It is found naturally in opium poppy plants (Papaver somniferum) and is commonly extracted from the plant's dried latex or opium.
In terms of its chemical properties, meconic acid is a strong chelating agent, meaning it has the ability to form stable coordination complexes with metal ions. It is often used as a reagent in analytical chemistry to detect the presence of copper, lead, and other heavy metals. Meconic acid can also undergo various chemical reactions such as esterification, oxidation, and reduction.
Beyond its use in the laboratory, meconic acid has limited applications in the industrial sector. It is sometimes utilized as a flavor enhancer in the food industry, particularly in beverages and baked goods. Additionally, meconic acid has been explored for its potential medicinal properties, including its ability to scavenge free radicals and exhibit anti-inflammatory effects.
Overall, meconic acid is an organic compound that occurs naturally in opium poppy plants and possesses several chemical properties and applications in various fields, including analytical chemistry, food industry, and potential medicine.
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An acid obtained from opium, C7H4O7, occurring in the form of white scales slightly soluble in water; it forms soluble salts (meconates) with many of the alkaloids of opium.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for MECONIC ACID
- meconic abid
- meconic acyd
- meconic acad
- meconic acmd
- meconic achd
- meconic acit
- meconic acil
- m econic acid
- me conic acid
- mec onic acid
- meco nic acid
- mecon ic acid
- meconi c acid
- meconic a cid
- meconic ac id
- meconic aci d
Etymology of MECONIC ACID
The word "meconic acid" derives from the Greek word "mekonion", meaning poppy juice or opium. Meconic acid is a natural substance found in opium, and it was first isolated from this source, hence its name. The suffix "ic acid" indicates that it is a type of acid.
