MSI_000006622

Ubiquinone-8, also known as coenzyme q8 or coq8, is a member of the class of compounds known as ubiquinones. Ubiquinones are coenzyme Q derivatives containing a 5, 6-dimethoxy-3-methyl(1,4-benzoquinone) moiety to which an isoprenyl group is attached at ring position 2(or 6). Thus, ubiquinone-8 is considered to be a quinone lipid molecule. Ubiquinone-8 is practically insoluble (in water) and an extremely weak basic (essentially neutral) compound (based on its pKa). Ubiquinone-8 can be found in a number of food items such as kumquat, celery leaves, hazelnut, and jicama, which makes ubiquinone-8 a potential biomarker for the consumption of these food products. Ubiquinone-8 may be a unique E.coli metabolite.