Benzoic acid, the simplest benzene-based carboxylic acid, has been known since the 16th century. One of its discoverers was the legendary clairvoyant Nostradamus. Its most common natural source is gum ...

The plants make benzoic acid by modifying the chemical structure of cinnamic acid the same way many organisms break down fatty acids. Natalia Dudareva Download Photo "There's a lot of potential. It ...