What is "umbelliferone"

Umbelliferone \Um`bel*lif"er*one\, n. (Chem.) A tasteless white crystalline substance, C9H6O3, found in the bark of a certain plant ( Daphne Mezereum), and also obtained by the distillation of certain gums from the Umbellifer[ae], as galbanum, asafetida, etc. It is analogous to coumarin. Called also hydroxy-coumarin.

n. (context chemistry English) A yellowish-white natural product of the coumarin family, occurring in such plants as carrot and coriander.

Umbelliferone, also known as 7-hydroxycoumarin, hydrangine, skimmetine, and beta-umbelliferone, is a widespread natural product of the coumarin family.

It absorbs ultraviolet light strongly at several wavelengths. Despite several indications that this chemical is photomutagenic, it is used in sunscreens. Umbelliferone has been reported to have antioxidant properties.

It is a yellowish-white crystalline solid that has a slight solubility in hot water, but high solubility in ethanol.