| Description | Salicylates, also known as 2-hydroxybenzoic acid or sal, is a member of the class of compounds known as salicylic acids. Salicylic acids are ortho-hydroxylated benzoic acids. Salicylates is soluble (in water) and a moderately acidic compound (based on its pKa). Salicylates can be found in a number of food items such as arabica coffee, apple, common thyme, and rosemary, which makes salicylates a potential biomarker for the consumption of these food products. Salicylic acid (from Latin salix, willow tree) is a lipophilic monohydroxybenzoic acid, a type of phenolic acid, and a beta hydroxy acid (BHA). It has the formula C7H6O3. This colorless crystalline organic acid is widely used in organic synthesis and functions as a plant hormone. It is derived from the metabolism of salicin. In addition to serving as an important active metabolite of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), which acts in part as a prodrug to salicylic acid, it is probably best known for its use as a key ingredient in topical anti-acne products. The salts and esters of salicylic acid are known as salicylates . |
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