| Description | Deoxycholic acid and its sodium salt are manufactured at NZP in large quantities. In nature, deoxycholic acid, which is referred to as a "secondary bile acid", is produced in the intestine from the salts of glycocholic and taurocholic acid (see cholic acid) by the action of bacterial enzymes. Less than half of the deoxycholic acid is absorbed by the intestine and is returned the liver where it is conjugated and released into the gall bladder.
Deoxycholic acid is extracted from bovine bile, (also known as "cattle bile" or "ox bile") which is a by-product of the meat processing industry. It is also available as the water soluble sodium salt. |
| CAS Number | 83-44-3 |
| Formula | C24H40O4 |
| Molecular Weight | 392.57 |
| Synonyms | DCA |
| Use of Chemical | Historically deoxycholic acid was used as an intermediate for the production of corticosteroids, which have anti-inflammatory indications. Current applications for deoxycholic acid utilise it's activity as a biological detergent to lyse cells and solubilise cellular and membrane components. |
| Appearance | White to off-white powder |
| Solubility | Sparingly soluble in water-soluble in alcohol and to a lesser extent acetone and glacial acetic acid. |
| EC Number | 201-478-5 |
| MDL Number | MFCD00003673 |
| InChI | KXGVEGMKQFWNSR-LLQZFEROSA-N |
| UNII | 005990WHZZ |
| Standard Packsize | 25 kg |