MOLECULE

3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid

Protocatechuic acid (PCA) is a dihydroxybenzoic acid, a type of phenolic acid. Its name is derived from the catechu extract. It is a major metabolite of antioxidant polyphenols found in green tea. It has mixed effects on normal and cancer cells in in vitro and in vivo studies. It is produced commercially from vanillin.