COUMARIC ACIDS Meaning and
Definition
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Coumaric acids are a group of organic compounds that belong to the class of hydroxycinnamic acids. They are derived from cinnamic acid, an aromatic hydrocarbon, and are characterized by the presence of a hydroxyl group attached to the phenyl ring of cinnamic acid. There are three major types of coumaric acids: p-coumaric acid, m-coumaric acid, and o-coumaric acid, which differ in the position of the hydroxyl group on the phenyl ring.
These acids are commonly found in various plants, particularly in the cell walls and vascular tissues. They are important intermediates in the biosynthesis of phenolic compounds, such as lignin, flavonoids, and stilbenes, as well as other secondary metabolites in plants. Coumaric acids play a crucial role in the defense mechanisms of plants against pathogens, UV radiation, and oxidative stress.
In addition to their biological significance in plants, coumaric acids also possess beneficial properties for human health. They exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, which are attributed to their ability to scavenge free radicals and modulate inflammatory responses. Furthermore, they have been studied for their potential anti-cancer effects and their role in preventing cardiovascular diseases, due to their ability to inhibit certain enzymes and pathways associated with these conditions.
In summary, coumaric acids are hydroxycinnamic acids derived from cinnamic acid, commonly found in plants, and are involved in the biosynthesis of various phenolic compounds. They possess biological activities that contribute to plant defense mechanisms and exhibit potential health benefits for humans.
Common Misspellings for COUMARIC ACIDS
- xoumaric acids
- voumaric acids
- foumaric acids
- doumaric acids
- ciumaric acids
- ckumaric acids
- clumaric acids
- cpumaric acids
- c0umaric acids
- c9umaric acids
- coymaric acids
- cohmaric acids
- cojmaric acids
- coimaric acids
- co8maric acids
- co7maric acids
- counaric acids
- coukaric acids
- coujaric acids
- coumzric acids
Etymology of COUMARIC ACIDS
The word "coumaric acids" is derived from the term "coumarin", which in turn comes from the French word "coumarou". The French term comes from the Guaraní language (an indigenous language spoken in Paraguay and surrounding areas), where "cumaru" refers to the South American tonka bean tree. Coumarin was first isolated from the tonka bean and given its name due to its presence in this plant. Coumaric acids, also known as hydroxycinnamic acids, are a class of organic compounds that are structurally related to coumarin. They are named based on their connection to coumarin and their additional hydroxy group.
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