Orsellinic acid is a common salicylic acid unit in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in actinomycetes, fungi, and lichens, formally isolated from Chaetomium cochliodes in 1959. Orsellinic acid is a key biosynthetic intermediate of many depside metabolites in lichen and fungi. Orsellinic acid is also an important polar co-metabolite present in many fungi, notably Trichomonacea, however, its contribution to overall bioactivity is not well understood. Orsellinic acid is a useful standard for bioassay and analytical techniques for dereplication of common cometabolites.

Sinapic acid is one of the most common hydroxycinnamic acids and is widespread in the plant kingdom. It has been identified in various fruits, vegetables, cereal grains, oilseed crops, some spices, and medicinal plants. Sinapic acid and its derivatives possess antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and anti-anxiety activities.