Azelaic acid

Azelaic acid (AzA), or nonanedioic acid, is an organic compound with the formula HOOC(CH2)7COOH. This saturated dicarboxylic acid exists as a white powder. It is found in wheat, rye, and barley.

It is a precursor to diverse industrial products including polymers and plasticizers, as well as being a component of several hair and skin conditioners.
In medicine, topical formulations of AzA are used in the treatment of acne vulgaris, where they exert antimicrobial and keratolytic effects that reduce clogged hair follicles and inflammation.
In plants, AzA functions as a mobile signaling molecule that primes systemic acquired resistance against pathogens by inducing the accumulation of salicylic acid.

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Source: Wikipedia · Image: Wikimedia Commons · CC0