a white or colorless, water-soluble solid, C5H8O3, produced by the hydrolysis of cane sugar, starch, or cellulose; used chiefly in the organic synthesis of nylon, plastics, and pharmaceuticals.
Main Entry: lev·u·lin·ic acid Pronunciation: "lev-y&-"lin-ik- Variant: or Britishlae·vu·lin·ic acid/"lEv-/ Function: noun : a crystalline keto acid C5H8O3 obtained by action of dilute acids on hexoses (as levulose) and on substances(as starch or sucrose) that yield hexoses on hydrolysis
[lev-yuh-lin-ik, lev-] 
yəˈlɪn