Description
Tartaric acid is also an antioxidant that has applications in the food industry. It can be used as an oxygen scavenger in biochemical tests. Also known as 2,3-dihydroxysuccinic acid. The structural formula is HOOCCH(OH)CH(OH)COOH. Potassium hydrogen tartrate exists in the grape juice. This salt is insoluble in water and ethanol. It is precipitated during the winemaking process of the grape juice. It is called tartar, and the name of tartaric acid comes from this. Tartaric acid exists mainly in the form of potassium salt in various plants and fruits, and also exists in a small amount in free state. The tartaric acid molecule contains two identical chiral carbon atoms (see asymmetric atoms), and there are three stereoisomers: dextro-tartaric acid, lev-tartaric acid and meso-tartaric acid (see optical isomerism), and their structural formulas are: A mixture of equal parts D-tartaric acid and L-tartaric acid.
