Naturally occurring phenols

In biochemistry, naturally occurring phenols are natural products containing at least one phenol functional group. Phenolic compounds are produced by plants and microorganisms. Organisms sometimes synthesize phenolic compounds in response to ecological pressures such as pathogen and insect attack, UV radiation and wounding. As they are present in food consumed in human diets and in plants used in traditional medicine of several cultures, their role in human health and disease is a subject of research.: 104  Some phenols are germicidal and are used in formulating disinfectants.

This article is about the class of organic compounds containing a phenol group. For the parent compound, see Phenol.
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