Levulinic Acid is an organic compound with the following properties:

Chemical properties:
Molecular formula and molecular weight: The molecular formula is C5H8O3 and the molecular weight is 116.12.
Physical properties: It usually exists in the form of a light yellow transparent liquid.
Solubility: Soluble in water, alcohol, ether, fat, ketone and aromatic hydrocarbons, but insoluble in aliphatic hydrocarbons, gasoline, kerosene, turpentine and carbon tetrachloride.

Levulinic Acid has important applications in medicine, food, agriculture and other industries.

1. Levulinic Acid has many uses in medicine, mainly including:

• Anti-inflammatories and intravenous injections:
Calcium salts of Levulinic Acid can be used to make intravenous injections, a drug often used to treat inflammation.

• Nutritional supplements:
Levulinic Acid aids in bone formation and maintains the normal excitability of nerves and muscles, so it is also used as a nutritional supplement.

• Production of other drugs:
Used in the production of indomethacin, plant hormones and other drugs. In addition, it can also be used to produce certain types of plastics, dyes, surfactants, etc.

2. Applications in food additives.

• Preservatives and acidifiers:
Used as a preservative in carbonated beverages and fruit juices, effectively inhibiting the growth of microorganisms and extending the shelf life of products.
It can also be used as an acidifier to regulate the pH value of foods and improve the taste and stability of products.

• Thickener:
It can increase the viscosity of food, make its taste more thick, often used in the production of jam, jelly and other food.

• Antifreeze:
It can improve the freezing resistance of food, help food to maintain texture and flavor at low temperatures, especially for foods that need to be refrigerated.

• Nutrient absorption promotion:
Levulinic Acid also aids in the absorption of nutrients, especially for vitamins, which may improve the overall nutritional value of foods.

These applications make Levulinic Acid a versatile ingredient in the field of food additives, which can ensure food safety while improving the taste and nutritional value of food.

3. Uses in agriculture.

• Plant growth regulators:
It can regulate the synthesis of chlorophyll, improve the stability of chlorophyll and phototrapping system II, and thus improve the photosynthetic efficiency. This helps to promote crop growth and increase yields.

• Herbicides:
Used as a herbicide to control the growth of weeds.

• Insecticides:
Used as an insecticide to control pests and protect crops.