fumaric acid


noun

a colorless, odorless, crystalline, slightly water-soluble solid, C4H4O4, isomeric with maleic acid, essential to cellular respiration in most eukaryotic organisms: used in the making of synthetic resins and as a replacement for tartaric acid in beverages and baking powders.
Also called boletic acid, lichenic acid.

Origin of fumaric acid

First recorded in 1875–80

Words nearby fumaric acid

British Dictionary definitions for fumaric acid

fumaric acid
/ (fjuːˈmærɪk) /

noun

a colourless crystalline acid with a fruity taste, found in some plants and manufactured from benzene; trans -butenedioic acid: used esp in synthetic resins. Formula: HCOOCH:CHCOOH

Word Origin for fumaric acid

C19: from New Latin Fumāria name of genus, from Late Latin: fumitory, from Latin fūmus smoke

Medical definitions for fumaric acid

fumaric acid
[ fyōō-mărĭk ]

n.

An organic acid that is formed from succinic acid and is an intermediate in the Krebs cycle.

Scientific definitions for fumaric acid

fumaric acid
[ fyōō-mărĭk ]

A colorless crystalline compound found in various plants and produced synthetically. It is used mainly in resins, paints, varnishes, and inks. Fumaric acid is a geometric isomer of maleic acid, having two carboxyl (COOH) groups attached on opposite sides of an ethylene chain. Chemical formula: C4H4O2.