itaconic acid , or methylenesuccinic acid , is an organic compound that is one of the three acids obtained by the distillation of citric acid . Itaconic acid is a white crystalline powder that is soluble in water, ethanol and acetone.
The name itaconic was devised as an anagram of aconitic .
The other two acids formed from the distillation of citric acid are citraconic and mesaconic acids .
In nature, itaconic acid is produced by Aspergillus terreus or Aspergillus itaconicus . Scientists are developing plants to produce itaconic acid. This may allow replacement of petrochemical products by plant-based, thus more sustainable , raw material s.