Dipicolinic acid is an amphoteric polar metabolite produced by many bacterial and fungal species. Prior to its discovery as a microbial metabolite, dipicolinic acid had long been recognised as a chelating agent for many metal ions. Wide distribution of dipicolinic acid among microbes makes it an important dereplication standard in discovery. Dipicolinic acid reaches high concentrations (~10% w/w) in Bacillus endospores aiding heat resistance and is used in laboratories as a marker for the effectiveness of sterilisation.