Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is a natural chemical compound which is the ester of caffeic acid and (-)-quinic acid. It is an important biosynthetic intermediate.[1] Chlorogenic acid is an important intermediate in lignin biosynthesis. This compound, known as an antioxidant, may also slow the release of glucose into the bloodstream after a meal.[2]
The term chlorogenic acids can also refer to a related family of esters of hydroxycinnamic acids (caffeic acid, ferulic acid and p-coumaric acid) with quinic acid.[3]
Chlorogenic acids contain no chlorine. The name comes from the Greek χλωρός (light green) and -γένος (a suffix meaning "giving rise to"), because of the green color produced when chlorogenic acids are oxidized.