The molecule is a hydroxy monocarboxylic acid anion that is the conjugate base of lactic acid, arising from deprotonation of the carboxy group. It has a role as a human metabolite and an Escherichia coli metabolite. It derives from a propionate. It is a conjugate base of a rac-lactic acid and a 2-hydroxypropanoic acid.
2-hydroxypropanoate