Definition

An acid found in bile (secretion of the liver). Bile acids are steroids having a hydroxyl group and a five-carbon-atom side chain terminating in a carboxyl group. Cholic acid is the most abundant bile acid in human bile. Others are deoxycholic and lithocholic acids. The bile acids do not occur free in bile but are linked to the amino acids glycine and taurine. These conjugated acids are water soluble. Their salts are powerful detergents and as such aid in the absorption of fats from the intestine.