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, where it is present in a mass fraction of 1–2%.
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.