2007-01-03 23:39:00 · 4 answers · asked by neelakantan r 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), citric acid, malic acid, oxalic acid
2007-01-03 23:56:19 · answer #1 · answered by Bob 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are 3 kinds of acid in tomatoes: malic acid, citric acid and oxalic acid. Its acid taste is due to malic acid which is about 0.5%. It also contains 0.52 to 1.81% citric acid and only a trace of oxalic acid. These acids in tomatoes, in combination with sodium and potassium either form sodium or pottasium acid malate, citrate or oxalate. Their end products, when oxidised in the body, are carbon dioxide, water and the carbonates of potassium and sodium. The latter has alkaline reaction. Tomatoes, thus, leave an alkaline ash in the process of being oxidised by the body. This increases the alkalinity of the blood and decreases the urine and neutralises the acid compounds of the body such as phosphates urea and ammonia. It is, therefore, highly beneficial in the treatment of acidosis and other disease associated with too much acid in the system.
2007-01-03 23:54:35 · answer #2 · answered by huangfuren 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Citric acid?
They are also high in lycopene. I am not sure if that is an acid.
2007-01-03 23:48:23 · answer #3 · answered by Daiquiri Dream 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the main one is ascorbic acid (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ascorbic_acid) and there are also other amino acids.
2007-01-04 00:09:46 · answer #4 · answered by Lolly 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋