PABA

(pä'bə)
n.
A crystalline para form of aminobenzoic acid that is part of the vitamin B complex, formerly used in sunscreens.

[P(ARA)-A(MINO)B(ENZOIC) A(CID).]

para-aminobezoic acid

A chemical found with members of the B complex but not a true vitamin in humans. Gut bacteria may be able to synthesize folic acid from it, but there is no evidence that humans can. Some manufacturers of PABA supplements claim that, if taken in conjunction with dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE), PABA stimulates the brain, reducing the risk of mental illnesses associated with ageing; this claim is not scientifically proven.

Although not a nutrient, PABA is one of the most commonly-used ingredients in lotions and creams that are used to prevent sunburn. Its derivatives effectively screen out the ultraviolet rays responsible for sunburn, but do not offer protection against the full spectrum of ultraviolet rays, including those linked with skin cancer.

para-aminobutyric acid

A member of the vitamin B group of chemicals, PABA is one of the most common ingredients of lotions and creams used to prevent sunburns. The derivatives made from it effectively screen out the ultraviolet rays responsible for sunburn, but do not offer protection against the full spectrum of ultraviolet rays, including those linked with skin cancer.

(pä'bə)
n.

Para-aminobenzoic acid; a crystalline para form of aminobenzoic acid that is part of the vitamin B complex, is required by many organisms for the formation of folic acids, and is widely used in sunscreens to absorb ultraviolet light. Also called vitamin B_x.

Note: click on a word meaning below to see its connections and related words.

The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: a metabolic acid found in yeast and liver cells; used to make dyes and drugs and sunblockers
  Synonym: para aminobenzoic acid

---

Paba Twinlab