ELLAGIC ACID: A REVIEW ON NATURAL SOURCES AND MEDICINAL IMPORTANCE

Abstract

Ellagic acid is a phenolic compound present in different plant species mainly in fruits and vegetables (and other plant parts such as leaves, root, bark, kernel) but also in processed foods (jams, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages) with a role in protecting the body against numerous conditions due to its antioxidant capacity. The amount of ellagic acid is different depending on the species, type of sample, temperature and extraction method, respectively method of analysis. This paper proposes an analysis of the specialized literature regarding the role and importance of ellagic acid for the human body, studied species with a high content of ellagic acid, the therapeutic medicinal importance and its potential as an antioxidant compound.