4-Aminobenzoic acid (also known as para-aminobenzoic acid or PABA) is an organic compound with the formula H2NC6H4CO2H. 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 carboxyl group.
PABA is mainly prepared by two routes: Reduction of para-nitrobenzoic acid and the Hoffman degradation of the monoamide derived from terephthalic acid.
Food sources of ...
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4-Aminobenzoic acid (also known as para-aminobenzoic acid or PABA) is an organic compound with the formula H2NC6H4CO2H. 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 carboxyl group.
PABA is mainly prepared by two routes: Reduction of para-nitrobenzoic acid and the Hoffman degradation of the monoamide derived from terephthalic acid.
Food sources of PABA include liver, brewer's yeast (and unfiltered beer), kidney, molasses, and whole grains.
PABA is an intermediate in the bacterial synthesis of folate. It has been referred to as Vitamin Bx. Some bacteria in the human intestinal tract such as E. coli require PABA. Humans require folate since we lack the enzymes to convert PABA to folate. Therefore in humans PABA is not a vitamin and is considered nutritionally unimportant.
Sulfonamide drugs are structurally similar to PABA, and their antibacterial activity is due to their ability to...
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