4-Oxopentanoic acid; formed by the action of hot, strong acids on hexoses. SEE ALSO: δ-aminolevulinic acid. SYN: levulic acid.
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lev·u·lin·ic acid .lev-yə-.lin-ik- or Brit lae·vu·lin·ic acid .lēv- n a crystalline keto acid C5H8O3 obtained by action of dilute acids on hexoses (as levulose) and on substances (as starch or sucrose) that yield hexoses on hydrolysis
Medical dictionary. 2011.