Gallic acid
Gallic Acid
Gallic acid (pronunciation: /ˈɡælɪk ˈæsɪd/) is a trihydroxybenzoic acid, a type of phenolic acid, found in gallnuts, sumac, witch hazel, tea leaves, oak bark, and other plants.
Etymology
The word "gallic" is derived from the Latin word "gallus," which means "of Gaul." The term "acid" comes from the Latin "acidus," meaning "sour." Gallic acid was first isolated by the Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele in 1786.
Chemical Structure and Properties
Gallic acid is a white crystalline substance that is soluble in water and alcohol. Its chemical formula is C7H6O5. It is a strong antioxidant and is used in the synthesis of other aromatic compounds.
Uses
Gallic acid is used in the pharmaceutical industry as a standard for determining the phenol content of various analytes by the Folin-Ciocalteu assay. It is also used in the manufacture of ink and in the testing of albumin.
Related Compounds
Gallic acid is related to other trihydroxybenzoic acids such as ellagic acid, pyrogallol, and tannic acid. These compounds are also found in various plants and have similar antioxidant properties.
Health Effects
Gallic acid has been studied for its potential health benefits. It has been found to have anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings and to understand the mechanisms of action.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Gallic acid
- Wikipedia's article - Gallic acid
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski