MOLECULE

2-Aminobenzoic acid

2-Aminobenzoic acid, also known as anthranilate or anthranilic acid, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as aminobenzoic acids. These are benzoic acids containing an amine group attached to the benzene moiety. An aminobenzoic acid that is benzoic acid having a single amino substituent located at position 2. 2-Aminobenzoic acid is a moderately basic compound (based on its pKa). 2-Aminobenzoic acid exists in all living species, ranging from bacteria to humans. Within humans, 2-aminobenzoic acid participates in a number of enzymatic reactions. In particular, 2-aminobenzoic acid and formic acid can be biosynthesized from formylanthranilic acid through the action of the enzyme kynurenine formamidase. In addition, 2-aminobenzoic acid and L-alanine can be biosynthesized from L-kynurenine through its interaction with the enzyme kynureninase. In humans, 2-aminobenzoic acid is involved in tryptophan metabolism. Outside of the human body, 2-Aminobenzoic acid has been detected, but not quantified in, several different foods, such as mexican groundcherries, caraway, cinnamons, sugar apples, and strawberry guava. This could make 2-aminobenzoic acid a potential biomarker for the consumption of these foods. 2-Aminobenzoic acid is a potentially toxic compound. 2-Aminobenzoic acid is expected to be in Cannabis as all living plants are known to produce and metabolize it.