Gallic Acid as Sources to use for Increasing Functional Properties of Food Product Content

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. It has drawn particular attention since it has been demonstrated to have many medicinally and therapeutically important properties such as antimicrobial, antiviral, and antitumor. Moreover it has the ability to scavenge peroxyl and DPPH radicals and antioxidant activity at stomach pH. In this chapter, studies of the effects of gallic acid and its derivatives on pathogens, enhancement of cell viability and functionality of probiotics, and their potential applications in food safety and human health are investigated.