pcoumaroylcontaining

pcoumaroyl-containing refers to chemical compounds that bear a p-coumaroyl group, a hydroxycinnamoyl moiety derived from p-coumaric acid. The p-coumaroyl unit is a 4-hydroxycinnamoyl group that is commonly linked to other molecules through ester or amide bonds, or incorporated as a thioester in biosynthetic pathways. In plants, these units arise through the phenylpropanoid pathway, where p-coumaroyl-CoA serves as a starter substrate for the formation of diverse secondary metabolites, including flavonoids and lignin precursors.

The p-coumaroyl moiety can be attached to various acceptors, producing esters with organic acids (for example, tartaric or quinic acids), glycosides, or amide-linked derivatives. Well-known examples include coutaric acid, the p-coumaroyl tartaric ester, as well as various p-coumaroyl esters of sugars and phenolic acids found in plant tissues. These compounds often occur alongside related hydroxycinnamoyl esters such as caffeoyl and feruloyl derivatives.

Biological and ecological roles of p-coumaroyl-containing compounds include contributions to plant defense, UV protection, pigmentation, and aroma. They are widespread in many food crops and beverages, including grapes, coffee, and cereals, and they can influence flavor, color, and nutritional properties. In analytical chemistry and metabolomics, p-coumaroyl-containing compounds are detected and quantified to study phenylpropanoid metabolism and plant responses to environmental stimuli.

Overall, the term denotes a broad class of molecules sharing the p-coumaroyl functional motif and its chemical and biological implications.