alpha-D-galacturonic acid

Alpha-D-galacturonic acid is the α-anomer of D-galacturonic acid, an oxidized form of the monosaccharide D-galactose. It is a small molecule and a key structural component of pectin, a biopolymer found in plant cell walls. In its polymeric form, it serves as the primary building block for pectin and related substances. Alpha-D-galacturonic acid has roles as an antidiarrhoeal drug and is widely used in food products as a stabilizer, emulsifier, and thickening agent due to its gelling properties. Its mechanism of action as an antidiarrhoeal agent is not well characterized but may relate to its ability to modify gut viscosity or interact with intestinal contents[1][2][5].

Other names

alpha-D-galactopyranuronic acidα-D-galactopyranuronic acidα-D-galacturonic acidD-(+)-galacturonic acid monohydrateD-galacturonic acid .alpha.-form