A substance that, when joined with calcium in the body, forms insoluble salts and hinders iron absorption from food. It is found in such vegetables as spinach, chard, and rhubarb.
A toxic acid that occurs in various plants and is found in chocolate.
A two-carbon dicarboxylate found in foods especially rhubarb, spinach, parsley, cocoa, and tea. It can bind divalent minerals and make them biologically unavailable.
An extremely poisonous acid, C2H2O4. It is a component of some bleaching powders and is found in many plants, including sorrel and the leaves of rhubarb. Oxalic acid is a powerful local irritant; when swallowed it produces burning sensations in the mouth and throat, vomiting of blood, breathing difficulties, and circulatory collapse. Treatment is with calcium lactate or other calcium salts, lime water, or milk.
the simplest dibasic organic acid. Its potassium or calcium salt occurs naturally in rhubarb, wood sorrel, and many other plants. It is the strongest organic acid and is poisonous. When properly diluted, it removes ink or rust stains from cloth. It is used also as a reagent.