| Description |
Piperic acid, also known as piperate, is a member of the class of compounds known as benzodioxoles. Benzodioxoles are organic compounds containing a benzene ring fused to either isomers of dioxole. Dioxole is a five-membered unsaturated ring of two oxygen atoms and three carbon atoms. Piperic acid is practically insoluble (in water) and a weakly acidic compound (based on its pKa). Piperic acid can be found in herbs and spices and pepper (spice), which makes piperic acid a potential biomarker for the consumption of these food products. Piperic acid is a chemical often obtained by the base-hydrolysis of the alkaloid piperine from black pepper, followed by acidification of the corresponding salt. Piperic acid is an intermediate in the synthesis of other compounds such as piperonal, and as-such may be used to produce fragrances, perfumes flavorants and drugs as well as other useful compounds . |
