Home

quinic

Quinic is an adjective used in chemistry to refer to quinic acid and the related compounds derived from it. Quinic acid is a polyhydroxy carboxylic acid that is typically described as a cyclohexane ring bearing multiple hydroxyl groups and a carboxyl group. Its common formula is often cited as C7H12O7. In nature, quinic acid occurs in various plant tissues and is a component of more complex phenolic esters, most notably chlorogenic acids which are esters of caffeic acid and quinic acid.

In plants and microorganisms, quinic acid is connected to the shikimate pathway, a central biosynthetic route

Quinate salts and esters are used in research, and some have applications in food, pharmaceutical, or fragrance

See also: chlorogenic acid, shikimate pathway, quinate.

for
aromatic
compounds.
It
can
be
formed
and
transformed
through
several
enzymatic
steps
within
this
pathway,
and
it
also
appears
as
a
metabolite
or
intermediate
in
certain
plant
metabolism
processes.
The
naturally
occurring
forms
of
quinic
acid
exist
as
multiple
stereoisomers,
with
one
or
more
isomers
predominating
in
specific
plant
sources.
industries.
Quinate
derivatives
serve
as
intermediates
for
synthesis
and
as
stabilizers
or
solubilizing
agents
in
various
formulations.
In
addition
to
its
role
in
plant
biochemistry,
quinic
acid
is
frequently
encountered
in
discussions
of
coffee
chemistry,
where
chlorogenic
acids—esters
of
caffeic
acid
with
quinic
acid—contribute
to
flavor
and
aroma
profiles.