Chemical Formula: C6H9O3S

2-oxo-5-methylthiopentanoate

C6H9O3S (161.02723840000002)

2-oxo-5-methylthiopentanoate, also known as 5-(methylthio)-2-oxopentanoic-acid, is a member of the class of compounds known as thia fatty acids. Thia fatty acids are fatty acid derivatives obtained by insertion of a sulfur atom at specific positions in the chain. 2-oxo-5-methylthiopentanoate is slightly soluble (in water) and a weakly acidic compound (based on its pKa). 2-oxo-5-methylthiopentanoate can be found in a number of food items such as wakame, soy bean, sea-buckthornberry, and oil palm, which makes 2-oxo-5-methylthiopentanoate a potential biomarker for the consumption of these food products.