MOLECULE

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde, also known as protocatechuatealdehyde or 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethanal, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as phenylacetaldehydes. Phenylacetaldehydes are compounds containing a phenylacetaldehyde moiety, which consists of a phenyl group substituted at the second position by an acetalydehyde. 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde is an extremely weak basic (essentially neutral) compound (based on its pKa). 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde exists in all living organisms, ranging from bacteria to humans. Within humans, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde participates in a number of enzymatic reactions. In particular, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde can be biosynthesized from dopamine through its interaction with the enzyme amine oxidase [flavin-containing] a. In addition, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde can be converted into 3,4-dihydroxybenzeneacetic acid through the action of the enzyme 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde. In humans, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde is involved in the metabolic disorder called tyrosinemia type I. Outside of the human body, 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde has been detected, but not quantified in, several different foods, such as pot marjorams, muscadine grapes, rambutans, summer savories, and cottonseeds. This could make 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde a potential biomarker for the consumption of these foods. A phenylacetaldehyde in which the 3 and 4 positions of the phenyl group are substituted by hydroxy groups. 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde is expected to be in Cannabis as all living plants are known to produce and metabolize it.