Question

Naturally occuring acid present in tamarind is:
1. Oxalic acid
2. Ascorbic acid
3. Tartaric acid
4. Tannic acid

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 3 : Tartaric acid

The correct answer is Tartaric Acid.

• Naturally occurring acids that occur naturally in foods.
• Food acids are the important acids found in natural food products that give them a distinct flavor or a tinge.
• The human body tends to react differently to different types of food acids.
• There are different types of food acids like citric acid, malic acid, and tartaric acid that are naturally occurring food acids.

• Tamarind is acidic in nature due to tartaric acid content (IUPAC-2,3-dihydroxybutanedioic acid).
• Tartaric acid, an antioxidant, is the reason why tamarind is sour.
• Tartaric acid is also present in grapes and bananas, but not in citrus fruits. That's why the sourness of tamarind is different from the sourness of lemons and limes, it is not as bitter as them.
• Ascorbic acid: It is a natural water-soluble vitamin (Vitamin C). Ascorbic acid is a potent reducing and antioxidant agent that functions in fighting bacterial infections, in detoxifying reactions, and in the formation of collagen in fibrous tissue, teeth, bones, connective tissue, skin, and capillaries.
• Oxalic acid: It is an organic compound with the formula C₂H₂O₄. it is a white crystalline solid that forms a colorless solution in water. Its condensed formula is HOOCCOOH, reflecting its classification as the simplest dicarboxylic acid. Its acid strength is much greater than that of acetic acid.
• Tannic acid: It is a specific form of tannin, a type of polyphenol. Its weak acidity (pKa around 6) is due to the numerous phenol groups in the structure.
  • Chemical formula: C₇₆H₅₂O₄₆
  • Melting point: decomposes above 200°C
  • Solubility in water: 2850 g/L or 250g/L
  • Molar mass: 1701.19g/mol