Ferulic acid, also known as 4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid or 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-trans-cinnamic acid, is a member of the class of compounds known as hydroxycinnamic acids. Hydroxycinnamic acids are compounds containing an cinnamic acid where the benzene ring is hydroxylated. Ferulic acid is practically insoluble (in water) and a weakly acidic compound (based on its pKa). Ferulic acid can be found in a number of food items such as flaxseed, pepper (c. chinense), chinese cinnamon, and wakame, which makes ferulic acid a potential biomarker for the consumption of these food products. Ferulic acid can be found primarily in blood, feces, and urine, as well as in human fibroblasts and stratum corneum tissues. Ferulic acid exists in all eukaryotes, ranging from yeast to humans. Ferulic acid is a hydroxycinnamic acid, a type of organic compound. It is an abundant phenolic phytochemical found in plant cell walls, covalently bonded as side chains to molecules such as arabinoxylans. As a component of lignin, ferulic acid is a precursor in the manufacture of other aromatic compounds. The name is derived from the genus Ferula, referring to the giant fennel (Ferula communis) .
Belongs to the class of organic compounds known as hydroxycinnamic acids. Hydroxycinnamic acids are compounds containing an cinnamic acid where the benzene ring is hydroxylated.
