Ascorbic acid is a naturally occurring organic compound with antioxidant properties. It is a white solid, but impure samples can appear yellowish. It dissolves well in water to give mildly acidic solutions. Ascorbic acid is one form of vitamin C and can be typically found in fruits and vegetables. It was originally called L-hexuronic acid, but when it was found to have vitamin C activity in animals, the suggestion was made to rename it ascorbic acid after the Vitamin C deficiency condition scurvy. Because it is derived from glucose, many animals are able to produce it, but humans require it as part of their nutrition. Other vertebrates lacking the ability to produce ascorbic acid include other primates, guinea pigs, teleost fishes, bats, and birds, all of which require it as a dietary vitamin. In the body, ascorbic acid is essential in the biosynthesis of many important biochemicals made in reactions. In non-bodily uses, ascorbic acid is used in photographic development solutions, fluorescence microscopy, dissolving metal stains on swimming pool surfaces, plastics manufacturing, and water purification.