Carboxylic Acids: How To Use Them For Your Benefit

Carboxylic acids are organic compounds that occur widely in nature. Carboxylic acids are macronutrients.

There are many carboxylic acids of biological importance. You can find them in both amino acids and fatty acids.

Carboxylic acids are weak acids that react in the same way as other acids.

Tip! Use the "Show Expanded TOC" button if you want to jump straight to a specific article.

Table of Contents

What Is Carboxylic Acids?

Carboxylic acids are derivatives of hydrocarbons in which one or more of the hydrogen atoms in the hydrocarbon have been replaced by a carboxyl group.

Carboxylic acids contain at least one carboxyl group.

The name carboxyl comes from the fact that a carbonyl and a hydroxyl group are attached to the same carbon.

Uses Of Carboxylic Acids

Carboxylic acids main tasks are in the production of polymers, pharmaceuticals, solvents, and food additives.

Carboxylic acids are common in the food and feed industries as preservatives for food and feed. Carboxylic acids can also enhance aroma and flavors.

In the pharmaceutical industry , carboxylic acids are used as a synthetic tool or as medicine. The most important example is acetylsalicylic acid. Sold as aspirin, ibuprofen, and ketoprofen.

Our Articles About Carboxylic Acids

Acetic acid (Ethylic acid) can provide energy to your muscles

A three-dimensional representation of Acetic acid
3D-model of Acetic acid (src)

Acetic acid is the compound that gives the sourness to vinegar and is produced by the bacterial oxidation of ethanol in wine.

You can find more information on acetic acid and the research behind it, in our article: What Is Acetic Acid?

Acetic acid can provide energy for muscles and other tissues, but it can also induce acute inflammation in the colon.

Read more about the benefits and side-effect of acetic acid in our article: Acetic Acid: 2 Research-Backed Benefits & One Side-Effect

Acetic acid is not only used in the food industry. It is used extensively in the production of cellulose plastics and esters.

Lactic acid (Lactate) is a major source of energy

A three-dimensional representation of Lactic acid
3D-model of Lactic acid (src)

Lactic acid is an organic compound known as alpha-hydroxy acids and derivatives that belongs to the family of carboxylic acids.

What to know more about lactic acid? Read our article: What Is Lactic Acid?

Lactic acid is a large source of energy. It’s a precursor for making glucose in the liver, which helps support blood sugar.

If you are interested in learning about what kind of benefits this acid possesses and what they might do for you? Read our article: Lactic Acid: 6 Research-Backed Benefits

Lactic acid can be found in certain plant juices, in the blood and muscles of animals, and in the soil.

Healthy wishes from us at,