Glyoxal

/ɡlaɪˈɒksəl/ noun

Definition

A simple organic compound consisting of two connected carbon atoms each with an oxygen double bond, used industrially in tanning and textile production.

Etymology

From 'glycol' (a chemical compound) + 'oxal' (indicating two carbonyl groups). The compound was first synthesized in the mid-1800s and named for its structural features.

Kelly Says

Glyoxal is a tiny molecule with huge consequences—it's used to make fabrics wrinkle-resistant, but it also forms naturally when cooking and is suspected of contributing to aging in your body through a process called glycation.

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