The colorless solid occurs naturally, being formed via theshikimate pathway.[citation needed] It is incorporated into varioussiderophores, which are molecules that strongly complex iron ions for absorption into bacteria. 2,3-DHB consists of acatechol group, which upon deprotonation binds iron centers very strongly, and thecarboxylic acid group by which the ring attaches to various scaffolds through amide bonds. A famous high affinity siderophore isenterochelin, which contains three dihydroxybenzoyl substituents linked to the depsipeptide ofserine.[5]
2,3-Dihydroxybenzoic acid is also a product of humanaspirin metabolism.[6]
^Choudhary, M. I.; Naheed, N.; Abbaskhan, A.; Musharraf, S. G.; Siddiqui, H.; Atta-Ur-Rahman (2008). "Phenolic and other constituents of fresh water fern Salvinia molesta".Phytochemistry.69 (4):1018–1023.doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2007.10.028.PMID18177906.
^Grootveld, M.; Halliwell, B. (1988). "2,3-Dihydroxybenzoic acid is a product of human aspirin metabolism".Biochemical Pharmacology.37 (2):271–280.doi:10.1016/0006-2952(88)90729-0.PMID3342084.
