| part of the folic acid molecule, a white or yellowish, crystalline, slightly water-soluble solid, C7H7NO2, the para isomer of aminobenzoic acid: used chiefly in the manufacture of dyes and pharmaceuticals and in sunscreens to protect against ultraviolet light. Abbreviation: PABA |
para-aminobenzoic acid par·a-a·mi·no·ben·zo·ic acid (pār'ə-ə-mē'nō-běn-zō'ĭk, -ām'ə-)
n.
PABA.
para-aminobenzoic acid
a vitamin-like substance and a growth factor required by several types of microorganisms. In bacteria, PABA is used in the synthesis of the vitamin folic acid. The drug sulfanilamide is effective in treating some bacterial diseases because it prevents the bacterial utilization of PABA in the synthesis of folic acid.
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