Handbook on Gallic Acid

Book excerpt: Gallic acid and its structurally related compounds are found widely distributed in fruits, plants, vegetables, and derivatives. Esters of gallic acid have a diverse range of industrial uses, as antioxidants in food, in cosmetics, and in the pharmaceutical industry. The authors in this book discuss the natural occurrences, antioxidant properties and health implications of gallic acid. Topics include gallic acid as a source to use for increasing functional properties in food products; gallic acid implications in health as a multi-therapeutic protective agent; the thermal, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties of gallic acid; gallic acid extraction and its application in the prevention and treatment of cancer; application of spectroscopic techniques for the study of gallic acid autoxidation; gallic acid bioavailability in humans; and gallic acid and its derivatives and their occurrence and identification in high altitude edible and medicinal plants.