The furanocoumarins, or furocoumarins, are a class of organic chemical compounds produced by a variety of plants. Most of the plant species found to contain furanocoumarins belong to a handful of plant families. The families Apiaceae and Rutaceae (citrus family) include the largest numbers of plant species that contain furanocoumarins.[1] The families Moraceae and Fabaceae include a few widely distributed plant species that contain furanocoumarins.[2]
Generally, furanocoumarins are most abundant in plants that have flowered and in ripe seeds and fruits.[2] (An exception is the common fig where furanocoumarins are found chiefly in the milky sap of the leaves and shoots but not the fruits.[3]) During the early stages of plant growth, their presence is not easily detected.
^Gorgus, E.; Lohr, C.; Raquet, N.; Guth, S.; Schrenk, D. (2010). "Limettin and furocoumarins in beverages containing citrus juices or extracts". Food and Chemical Toxicology. 48 (1): 93–98. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2009.09.021.
^Zaynoun, S. T.; Aftimos, B. G.; Abi Ali, L.; Tenekjian, K. K.; Khalidi, U.; Kurban, A. K. (July 1984). "Ficus carica; isolation and quantification of the photoactive components". Contact Dermatitis. 11 (1): 21–25. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0536.1984.tb00164.x. PMID6744838. Cited in McGovern and Barkley 2000, section Phytophotodermatitis.