Illustrated Glossary of Organic Chemistry

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+): A nucleic acid coenzyme used by organisms as the oxidant in certain redox reactions.

Molecular structure of NAD+.


 + NAD+
 3-Hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase
+   NADH

One step in fatty acid metabolism involves oxidation of a β-hydroxy acid by 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (an enzyme) and NAD+ (an oxidant). The products are a β-keto acid and NADH (the reduced form of NAD+).