N-Acetyl-Neuraminic-Acid

N-acetylneuraminic acid, or NANA for short, a sialic acid, is the only derivative of neuraminic acid that occurs physiologically in the human organism. N-acetylneuraminic acid is a component of numerous glycoproteins and glycolipids of the membranes and in particular of the gangliosides found in the gray matter of the brain and on the surface of nerve cells. It is involved in the structure of the glycocalyx and determines the negative charge of the cell membrane surface. An N-acetylneuraminic acid polymer occurs in the cell wall of coliform bacteria and is known as colominic acid.

N-acetylneuraminic acid may be marketed as a food supplement in the EU under the label "N-acetyl-D-neuraminic acid" (EU Regulation No. 1169/2011). It must be labeled with the statement that the food supplement should not be administered to infants, young children or children under 10 years of age if they consume breast milk or other foods with added N-acetyl-D-neuraminic acid within a period of 24 hours.

1. Klenk E (1956) Chemistry and biochemistry of neuraminic acid. Applied Chemistry 68: 349-352