Fumarprotocetraric acid

Fumarprotocetraric acid is a chemical compound with the chemical formula . It is a secondary metabolite produced by a variety of lichens.

Occurrence

Fumarprotocetraric acid is mainly known for its occurrence in Iceland moss (Cetraria islandica), where it is present in a mass fraction of 1–2% (dried thallus).

In addition, fumarprotocetraric acid has been detected in many other lichens, including:

• Callopisma teicholytum []
• Cetraria fahluensis []
• Cetraria islandica []
• Cladina rangiferina []
• Cladina silvatica []
• Cladonia chlorophaea []
• Cladonia fimbriata [] var. apolepta [] f. coniocraea []
• Cladonia fimbriata [] var. cornuto-radiata []
• Cladonia fimbriata [] var. simplex [] f. major []
• Cladonia fimbriata [] var. simplex [] f. minor []
• Cladonia foliacea [] var. alcicornis []
• Cladonia foliacea [] var. convoluta []
• Cladonia furcata [] var. pinnata []
• Cladonia furcata [] var. racemosa []
• Cladonia gracilis [] var. chordalis []
• Cladonia gracilis [] var. elongata []
• Cladonia pityrea [] var. cladomorpha []
• Cladonia pityrea [] var. Zwackhii []
• Cladonia pyxidata [] var. cereina []
• Cladonia pyxidata [] var. neglecta []
• Cladonia subcervicornis []
• Cladonia verticillata [] var. cervicornis [] f. phyllophora [() ]
• Cladonia verticillata [] var. evoluta []
• Dendrographa leucophaea []
• Parmelia stygia [() ]

Pharmacology research

Fumarprotocetraric acid has antibacterial activity. It also induces an immunostimulating effect in vitro by triggering the formation of hydrogen peroxide. Furthermore, cytotoxicity against two cancer cell lines has been demonstrated.

References