Homogentisic acid
2,5 - dihydroxyphenylacetic
Beige solid
Fixed
152-154 ° C ( monohydrate)
Attention
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Homogentisic acid is an intermediate in the degradation of the amino acids phenylalanine and tyrosine, and is at physiological pH values as an anion at the moment ( homogentisate ). It is used by the enzyme homogentisate dioxygenase ( EC 1.13.11.5 ) is converted into 4- Maleylacetessigsäure:
In consequence, result acetoacetic acid and fumaric acid, which can be fed into the citric acid cycle.
In the metabolic disease alkaptonuria lack the enzyme or is not available to a sufficient extent. " Alkapton " is the oxidized form of the black-brown Homogentisats.