Gallic Acid

Main Sources

• Plant Extraction: Gallic acid is mainly present in plants such as Chinese gallnuts, sumac, and tea. Among them, Chinese gallnuts are important raw materials for extracting gallic acid. Chinese gallnuts are galls formed by the parasitism of Chinese gall aphids on the leaves of Rhus chinensis and other plants of the Anacardiaceae family, containing a large amount of gallic acid and its derivatives. Gallic acid can also be extracted from tea, especially some tea varieties with high tea polyphenol content.
• Chemical Synthesis: Gallic acid can also be synthesized by chemical methods. Generally, methyl gallate and other substances are used as raw materials, and gallic acid is prepared through hydrolysis and other reactions. However, the chemical synthesis method may have problems such as high cost, complex process, and product purity. In comparison, the plant extraction method is more commonly used.

Main Functions and Applications

• Medical Field
  • Antibacterial and Anti - inflammatory: Gallic acid has certain antibacterial activity and can inhibit various bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. It can be used to treat some diseases caused by bacterial infections.
  • Antioxidant: It is a natural antioxidant that can scavenge free radicals in the body, reduce oxidative damage, and help prevent oxidative stress - related diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
  • Other Functions: Gallic acid also has the effects of hemostasis and antidiarrhea, and is often used as an active ingredient in some traditional Chinese patent medicines.
• Food Industry
  • Antioxidant: As a food additive, gallic acid can be used to prevent the oxidative deterioration of foods such as oils, meats, and fruits, and extend the shelf - life of foods.
  • Color - Protecting Agent: In the production of beverages such as wine, gallic acid helps to maintain the color and prevent oxidative browning.
• Chemical Industry Field
  • Tanning Industry: Gallic acid can be used to prepare gallic - acid - type tanning agents for leather tanning, which can improve the quality and durability of leather.
  • Synthetic Materials: It can be used as a raw material or modifier for synthetic resins, plastics, and other materials to improve the properties of the materials.
  • Ink Manufacturing: The black compound formed by the reaction of gallic acid with iron salts can be used to manufacture ink. This kind of ink writes smoothly and has a long - lasting color.