Antioxidant potential of ferulic acid

doi:10.1016/0891-5849(92)90184-I

Free Radical Biology and Medicine

Volume 13, Issue 4, October 1992, Pages 435-448

https://doi.org/10.1016/0891-5849(92)90184-I Get rights and content

Abstract

Ferulic acid is a ubiquitous plant constituent that arises from the metabolism of phenylalanine and tyrosine. It occurs primarily in seeds and leaves both in its free form and covalently linked to lignin and other biopolymers. Due to its phenolic nucleus and an extended side chain conjugation, it readily forms a resonance stabilized phenoxy radical which accounts for its potent antioxidant potential. UV absorption by ferulic acid catalyzes stable phenoxy radical formation and thereby potentiates its ability to terminate free radical chain reactions. By virtue of effectively scavenging deleterious radicals and suppressing radiation-induced oxidative reactions, ferulic acid may serve an important antioxidant function in preserving physiological integrity of cells exposed to both air and impinging UV radiation. Similar photoprotection is afforded to skin by ferulic acid dissolved in cosmetic lotions. Its addition to foods inhibits lipid peroxidation and subsequent oxidaive spoilage. By the same mechanism ferulic acid may protect against various inflammatory diseases. A number of other industrial applications are based on the antioxidant potential of ferulic acid.

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^∗: Ernst Graf is Manager of Food Science in the Technology Center at Tastemaker in Cincinnati, Ohio. He received his undergraduate education in Switzerland and earned his PhD degree in Biochemistry from the University of Minnesota in 1981. His primary academic research interests include the chemistry and biochemistry of activated oxygen species and their effects on biological and food systems. He is particularly interested in the effects of radical scavengers and iron chelating agents on oxidative reactions. He has authored a book and over a dozen publications on various aspects of phytic acid, another naturally occuring antioxidant. At Tastemaker he is directing new product research in the area of industrial food science and technology. In his spare time he likes to travel, exercise, write, cook, and camp with his family.

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Review articleAntioxidant potential of ferulic acid

Abstract

J. Chromat.

Microchem. J.

J. Chromatogr.

Anal. Chim. Acta

J. Chromatogr.

J. Chromatogr.

Phytochemistry

Phytochemistry

Phytochemistry

Soil Biol. Biochem.

Food Chem.

Phytochemistry

FEBS Lett.

Phystochemistry

Phytochemistry

Phytochemistry

Phytochemistry

Phytochemistry

Phytochemistry

Phytochemistry

J. Chromatogr.

Phytochemistry

Phytochemistry

FEMS Microbiol. Ecol.

Ueber einige Harze (Zersetzungsproducte derselben durch schmelzendes Kali)

Ann.

Zur Kenntnisse der Ueberwallungsharze

Monatshefte für Chemie

General synthesis of α-unsaturated acids from malonic acid

Quart. J. Chem. Soc.

Synthesis of certain 2-styrylchromonol derivatives

J. Chem. Soc.

Beilstein

Preparation of cis isomers in the cinnamic acid series

Compt. Rendus Hebdomadaires des Scéanes de l'Académie des Sciences

The polyphenolic acids of Lithospermum ruderale. II. Carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance of lithospermic and rosmarinic acids

J. Org. Chem.

Structure of 3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-propenoic acid (ferulic acid)

Acta Crystallogr., Sect. C: Cryst. Struct. Commun.

On the constituents of Catalpa ovata G. Don

J. Pharmaceutical Soc. of Japan

Ionization constants of coniferyl alcohol and related phenols

Suom. Kemistilehti B.

Fluorescence spectra of some hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives

Advan. Front. Plant Sci.

The thermal decarboxylation of some substituted cinnamic acids

Lebens.-Wissensch. Technol.

Potential of ferulic acid as a precursor to off-flavors in stored orange juice

J. Food Sci.

Determination of cinnamic acid and its analogs by electrophoresis in a fused silica capillary tube

Anal. Chem.

Determination of cinnamic acids by thin layer reflectometry

Bull. Liaison-Groupe Polyphenols

Isocratic HPLC separation of scopoletin and cis-trans isomers of isoferulic acid

J. Liq. Chromatogr.

Method for separating phenolic acids by high pressure liquid chromatography

Chromatographia

A general synthesis of α-unsaturated acid from malonic acid

J. Ind. Chem. Soc.

Ueber eine Verbesserung der Synthese von Oxyzimtsäuren

J. Prakt. Chem.

Reactions of vanillin and its derived compounds. XI. Cinnamic acids derived from vanillin and its related compounds

J. Org. Chem.

Fractionation and identification of volatile acids and phenols in the steam distillate of rice bran

Agric. Biol. Chem.

Observations on the scutellum. III. Ferulic acid as a component of the cell wall in wheat and barley

Aust. J. Plant Physiol.

Observations on the aleurone layer. I. Conventional and fluorescence microscopy of the cell wall with emphasis on phenol-carbohydrate complexes in wheat

Aust. J. Biol. Sci.

Fluorescence detection and measurement of ferulic acid in wheat milling fractions by microscopy and HPLC

J. Agric. Food Chem.

Determination of ferulic acid in grain by HPLC and microspectrofluorometry

Dev. Food Sci.

Review article
Antioxidant potential of ferulic acid