Question

Tomato is a natural source of which acid?

• A. Acetic acid
• B. Citric acid
• C. Tartaric acid
• D. Oxalic acid

Hint:

Remember that oxalic acid is naturally found in several vegetables like tomatoes, spinach, and rhubarb. It contributes to taste and also plays a role in forming kidney stones when consumed in large amounts.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Fruits and vegetables contain various organic acids that contribute to their taste and nutritional characteristics. Let’s examine each of the acids listed in the options:

• Acetic acid – Commonly found in vinegar, produced during fermentation. It is not naturally abundant in tomatoes.
• Citric acid – Present in citrus fruits like oranges and lemons. Tomatoes do contain small amounts of citric acid, but it is not their defining acid.
• Tartaric acid – Found in grapes and tamarind. Tomatoes do not contain significant amounts of this acid.
• Oxalic acid – This acid occurs naturally in many plants including tomatoes, spinach, and beets. It is a dicarboxylic acid (HOOC–COOH) and can bind with minerals such as calcium to form oxalates.

Among the options given, oxalic acid is the correct answer because tomatoes are widely known to be a natural source of oxalic acid. \[ \text{Hence, the correct answer is } \boxed{\text{Oxalic acid}}. \]