Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), also called aminobenzoic acid, a vitamin-like substance and a growth factor required by several types of microorganisms.

It is colorless needle-like crystals,turns light yellow in the air or in light. Soluble in hot water, ether, ethyl acetate, ethanol and glacial acetic acid, insoluble in water, benzene, and insoluble in petroleum ether. In bacteria, Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) is used in the synthesis of the vitamin folic acid.

Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) is a chemical found in the folic acid vitamin and also in several foods including grains, eggs, milk, and meat.

PABA is taken by mouth for skin conditions including vitiligo, pemphigus, dermatomyositis, morphea, lymphoblastoma cutis, Peyronie's disease, and scleroderma. PABA is also used to treat infertility in women, arthritis, "tired blood" (anemia), rheumatic fever, constipation, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and headaches. It is also used to darken gray hair, prevent hair loss, make skin look younger, and prevent sunburn

P-aminobenzoic acid is also an important chemical industry raw material. In medical, it is a key intermediate in the synthesis of blood tonic - folic acid, coagulant - p-carboxybenzylamine, and it is also used in the manufacture of drugs for the treatment of rickets, rheumatic disease, arthritis, tuberculosis. In cosmetic industry,it is an important intermediate of sunscreen and hair growth agent.