2-Ketoglutaric acid is a ketone derivative of glutaric acid and its anion is key intermediate in the Krebs cycle, after isocitrate and before succinyl CoA. It is an important nitrogen transporter and is transaminate along with glutamine to form glutamate. It can be used to differentiate microorganisms based on metabolic properties. It also possesses metabolic properties, decreasing the level of hydrogen peroxide in cell culture.

D-Glucose 6-phosphate is an important phosphorylated sugar found in the cell, and a majority of the glucose entering a cell is of this chemical conformation. It forms the start of two different metabolic pathways; glycolysis and the pentose phosphate pathway, or it may find itself converted into glycogen or starch for storage. It is the main substrate for glucose-6-phosphatase enzyme. It can be used as an energy source for Myobacterium tuberculosis and inhibits activity of sarcoendoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase in rat brains, lowering calcium accumulation in the endoplasmic reticulum. When reacted to form 2-deoxy-D-glucose-6-phosphate it can be used to inhibit bovine heart hexokinase.

L-Gulono-gamma-lactone is the furanose form of gulonolactone. It is metabolized by L-gulonolactone oxidase with oxygen to produce L-xylo-hex-3-gulonolactone, which can convert hexuronic acid to ascorbic acid spontaneously. As a reagent L-gulonolactone forms the first step for the synthesis of deoxymannojirimycin and mannonolactam, an anti-HIV drug and a reagent for drug synthesis respectively.

L-Lactic acid is the optically active form of lactic acid and has an (S) stereochemical arrangement. Animals produce L-Lactate, conjugate base of lactic acid, from pyruvate via lactate dehydrogenase in fermentation during normal metabolism and exercise. Lactic acid bacteria perform lactic acid fermentation, converting carbohydrates to lactic acid. In humans, lactic acid and its conjugate base are part of many biological processes from prenatal development to extracellular fluid surrounding neurons.

Lactic acid is used in food preparation to produce specific types of beer and other alcoholic beverages. When used in the colon it prevents gastrointestinal fermentation, and in an 8% cream has been used on photodamaged skin. Polylactic acid can be formed when two molecules of lactic acid are dehydrated and then catalyzed into a plastic that is both biodegradable and not derived from petrochemicals. It is also used by detergent manufacturers due to its anti-bacterial properties, and can be used to produce water-soluble lactates from otherwise insoluble active ingredients.