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Record Information
Version1.0
StatusDetected and Quantified
Creation Date2020-10-27 23:39:12 UTC
Update Date2024-10-06 23:15:23 UTC
Metabolite IDMMDBc0000191
Metabolite Identification
Common Namep-Aminobenzoic acid
Descriptionp-Aminobenzoic acid, also known as 4-aminobenzoic acid or PABA, is an organic compound with molecular formula C7H7NO2. PABA is a white crystalline substance that is only slightly soluble in water. It consists of a benzene ring substituted with an amino group and a carboxylic acid. PABA is an essential nutrient for some bacteria and is sometimes called vitamin Bx. However, PABA is not essential for humans and it varies in its activity from other B vitamins. PABA is sometimes marketed as an essential nutrient under the premise that it can stimulate intestinal bacteria. Certain bacteria in the human intestinal tract such as E. coli generate PABA from chorismate. Humans lack the enzymes to convert PABA into folate, and therefore require folate from dietary sources such as green leafy vegetables. Although some intestinal bacteria can synthesize folate from PABA and some E. coli can synthesize folate this requires six enzymatic activities in folate synthesis which are not all done in the same bacteria. PABA used to be a common sunscreen agent until it was found to also be a sensitizer. The potassium salt of PABA is used therapeutically in fibrotic skin disorders. PABA can also be found in Acetobacter (DOI: 10.3181/00379727-52-14147).
Structure
Synonyms
Molecular FormulaC7H7NO2
Average Mass137.136
Monoisotopic Mass137.047678473
IUPAC Name4-aminobenzoic acid
Traditional Namesunbrella
CAS Registry Number150-13-0
SMILES
NC1=CC=C(C=C1)C(O)=O
InChI Identifier
InChI=1S/C7H7NO2/c8-6-3-1-5(2-4-6)7(9)10/h1-4H,8H2,(H,9,10)
InChI KeyALYNCZNDIQEVRV-UHFFFAOYSA-N