A carboxylic acid first identified as a growth factor for lactobacilli and later recognized to play a role in isoprenoid metabolism; 3,5-dihydroxy-3-methylpentanoic acid, C₆H₁₂O₄.
Origin
1950s.
Definition of mevalonic acid in US English:
mevalonic acid
noun
Biochemistry
A carboxylic acid first identified as a growth factor for lactobacilli and later recognized to play a role in isoprenoid metabolism; 3,5-dihydroxy-3-methylpentanoic acid, C₆H₁₂O₄.