What is "taurocholic acid"

n. (context organic chemistry English) A deliquescent yellowish crystalline bile acid involved in the emulsification of fats, a conjugate of cholic acid with taurine.

Taurocholic acid, known also as cholaic acid, cholyltaurine, or acidum cholatauricum, is a deliquescent yellowish crystalline bile acid involved in the emulsification of fats. It occurs as a sodium salt in the bile of mammals. It is a conjugate of cholic acid with taurine. In medical use, it is administered as a cholagogue and choleretic.

Hydrolysis of taurocholic acid yields taurine.

For commercial use, taurocholic acid is manufactured from cattle bile, a byproduct of the meat-processing industry.

This acid is also one of the many molecules in the body that has cholesterol as its precursor.