[4] Biosynthetically, barbatic acid is made of two units of orsellinate derivatives that are created by an aromatic synthase enzyme.

In this way, barbatic acid is detected by monitoring its retention time, and verifying the presence of three peaks representing wavelengths of maximum absorption (λmax) at 214, 276, and 310 nm.

[10] Some preliminary research suggests that based on the in vitro molluscicidal activity of barbatic acid against the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni, it may have potential use in the large-scale control and/or eradication of schistosomiasis.

[11] Other research has shown that it is non-toxic to human peripheral blood mononuclear cells at concentrations that are effective against the parasite.

[12] Barbatic acid inhibits photosynthesis by irreversible binding to the proteins in the photosystem II complex.

[7] And in vitro and in vivo experiments using various cancer cell lines suggest that barbatic acid has antineoplastic and pro-apoptotic activities combined with a low toxicity.