What is "oxaloacetic acid"

n. 1 (context biochemistry English) on of the constituents of the citric acid cycle, formed by the oxidation of malic acid and via the transamination of aspartic acid; an intermediate in the synthesis of amino acids and the metabolism of carbohydrates 2 (context organic compound English) a colourless crystalline organic carboxylic acid, ''butan-2-one-1,4-dicarboxylic acid'', COOH.CH₂.CO.COOH

n. an acid formed by oxidation of maleic acid (as in metabolism of fats and carbohydrates) [syn: oxalacetic acid]

Oxaloacetic acid (also known as oxalacetic acid) is a crystalline organic compound with the chemical formula HOCC(O)CHCOH. Oxaloacetic acid, in the form of its conjugate base oxaloacetate, is a metabolic intermediate in many processes that occur in animals. It takes part in the: gluconeogenesis, urea cycle, glyoxylate cycle, amino acid synthesis, fatty acid synthesis and citric acid cycle.