Pomegranate is a rich source of many phenolic compounds including ellagitannins (punicalagin, punicalin, pedunculagin, gallagic acid, ellagic acid, ellagitannin and gallotannins), anthocyanins (cyanidin, delphinidin and pelargonidin glycosides), flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol and luteolin glycosides).
These pomegranate phenolic compounds have several health-promoting effects such as antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and antitumor properties.
Around 92% of pomegranate antioxidant activity comes from hydrolysable tannins. Epidemiological studies have shown that reduced cancer mortality and cerebrovascular and cardio disease are associated with consumption of phenolic-rich fruits.
Punicalagin is an ellagitannin, a type of hydrolysable tannin, is the largest molecular weight and most abundant polyphenol known. Punicalagin is reported to have anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-atherosclerotic properties.
Punicalagin is found in α and β forms in plants of the genera Myrtales such as Terminalia catappa, Terminalia myriocarpa and Punica granatum (pomegranate).
Phenol punicalagin in pomegranate
