Ellagiinihapon

Ellagiinihapon, known in English as ellagic acid, is a natural polyphenolic compound. In Finnish scientific usage the term ellagiinihappo is used to refer to this molecule. Ellagic acid is a dilactone of hexahydroxydiphenic acid and occurs in plants primarily as the hydrolysis product of ellagitannins, a class of hydrolyzable tannins.

Natural occurrence and sources

Ellagic acid is found in a variety of fruits, nuts, and other plant materials. Notable sources include pomegranates, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, walnuts, pecans, and pistachios, as well as some berries and grapes. In foods, ellagic acid often exists bound to other tannins and is released by processing or hydrolysis.

Chemical properties and behavior

Ellagic acid is a planar polyphenol with multiple hydroxyl groups. It is poorly soluble in water but dissolves in some organic solvents. It acts as an antioxidant in laboratory studies, capable of scavenging free radicals and chelating metal ions. In biological systems, ellagic acid can interact with biomolecules, and it is also studied for its potential metabolic transformations.

Biological significance and research

In plants, ellagic acid derives from ellagitannins during hydrolysis. In humans, ellagitannins are metabolized by gut microbiota to urolithins, while ellagic acid itself shows limited bioavailability. Research explores potential health effects, including anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities, but evidence from clinical studies remains inconclusive.

Uses

Ellagic acid serves as an analytical standard in laboratory chemistry and is used as an antioxidant component in some food, cosmetic, and nutraceutical applications.