Pharmaceutical product, benzoic acid, is detoxified by binding with which of the following amino acid?
**Core Concept**
Benzoic acid is a short-chain fatty acid and a common food preservative. Its metabolism and detoxification involve the interaction with specific amino acids, enabling its conversion into a more water-soluble form for excretion.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Benzoic acid is conjugated with glycine, an amino acid, in the liver through the action of the enzyme glycine conjugation. This process results in the formation of hippuric acid, which is then excreted in the urine. This conjugation reaction increases the solubility of benzoic acid, facilitating its elimination from the body.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Glutamine is not directly involved in the detoxification of benzoic acid.
**Option B:** Tyrosine is involved in the metabolism of phenolic compounds, not benzoic acid.
**Option C:** Taurine is involved in the conjugation of bile acids and other compounds, not benzoic acid.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
It's essential to remember that benzoic acid, a common food preservative, is metabolized into hippuric acid through conjugation with glycine. This process highlights the importance of amino acid conjugation in the detoxification of various xenobiotics.
**Correct Answer:** C. Glycine.