Prunus the skin than in the flesh. They also contain moderate levels of carotenoids and ascorbic acid. Peaches and nectarines are orange and yellow in color which can be attributed to the carotenoids present. Ascorbic acid is important in hydroxylation reactions, such as collagen synthesis and de novo synthesis of bone and cartilage, and wound healing. Ascorbic acid is also a precursor of Vitamin C, which is essential for repairing tissues and absorbing iron. Various "Prunus" species are winter hosts of the Damson-hop aphid, "Phorodon humuli", which is destructive to hops "Humulus lupulus" just at the time of their maturity, so
Ferulic acid is an antioxidant in vitro in the sense that it is reactive toward free radicals such as reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS and free radicals are implicated in DNA damage, cancer, and accelerated cell aging. If added to a topical preparation of ascorbic acid and vitamin E, ferulic acid may reduce oxidative stress and formation of thymine dimers in skin. There is also a small amount of research showing oral supplements of ferulic acid can inhibit melanin production in the process of skin whitening. It is used as a matrix for proteins in MALDI mass spectrometry analyses. Ferulic acid Ferulic