Ferulic acid is a
hydroxycinnamic acid, a type of organic compound. It is an abundant phenolic phytochemical found in plant
cell wall components such as
arabinoxylans as covalent side chains. It is related to trans-
cinnamic acid. As a component of lignin, ferulic acid is a precursor in the manufacture of other
aromatic compounds. The etymology is from the genus
Ferula, referring to the giant fennel (
Ferula communis).