Phaseic acid

December 17, 2018
I鈥檓 found in something sweet.
What molecule am I?
Image of Phaseic acid

Phaseic acid is a plant hormone and an oxidation metabolite of past Molecule of the Week abscisic acid. Like its precursor, it is an isoprenoid; both are products of a long series of biosynthetic steps that originates from 尾-肠补谤辞迟别苍别, another MOTW entry.

Abscisic and phaseic acids promote leaf abscission in most deciduous trees and shrubs. Among these, of course, is the sugar maple (Acer saccharum) native to north-central and northeastern United States and eastern Canada.

The sap and subsequent maple syrup produced by A. saccharum are rich in the two acids. Some authors have touted health benefits of the syrup that they attribute to phaseic acid in particular. Among these are the reduction of chronic diseases and the promotion of glucose uptake by the muscles, which may help diabetics specifically.

But phaseic acid may be more important to plants than to humans. Two years ago, researchers at the Salk Institute (La Jolla, CA) discovered that the hormone may provide drought resistance and other survival attributes to crops. It potentially can be a clue to developing more robust plant strains.

The dangers of phaseic acid have not been evaluated, but its precursor abscisic acid is not considered to be a hazardous substance. So today you can salute phaseic acid by celebrating 听(#惭补辫濒别厂测谤耻辫顿补测).

Phaseic acid聽fast facts

CAS Reg. No.24394-14-7
Empirical formulaC15H20O5
Molar mass280.32
AppearanceColorless crystals
Melting point207鈥�209听潞颁听
Water solubility鈮�70 mg/L (est.)
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