para-amino benzoic acid

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para‐amino benzoic acid (PABA) Essential growth factor for micro‐organisms. It forms part of the molecule of folic acid and is therefore required for the synthesis of this vitamin. Mammals cannot synthesize folic acid, and PABA has no other known function; there is no evidence that it is a human dietary requirement.

Sulphanilamides (sulpha drugs) are chemical analogues of PABA, and exert their antibacterial action by antagonizing PABA utilization.

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