The Pyruvic acid reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Jul-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Pyruvic acid

Pyruvic acid (CH₃COCO₂H) is an alpha-keto acid, of the keto acid group. The anion of pyruvic acid is called pyruvate.

It is created by the body when sugars are metabolised. Provided that sufficient oxygen is available, pyruvic acid is then broken down through the Krebs cycle. If insufficient oxygen is available, the acid is broken down anaerobically, creating lactic acid.

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