Why is it important to understand the nature and chemistry of tannins to exploit their potential as nutraceuticals?
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2023-07-23Referencia bibliográfica
Food Research International 173 (2023) 113329
Resumen
Tannins comprise a large group of polyphenols that can differ widely in chemical composition and molecular
weight. The use of tannins dates back to antiquity, but it is only in recent years that their potential use as
nutraceuticals associated with the human diet is beginning to be exploited. Although the biological effects of
these phytocomplexes have been studied for many years, there are still several open questions regarding their
chemistry and biotransformation. The vastness of the molecules that make up the class of tannins has made their
characterisation, as well as their nomenclature and classification, a daunting task.
This review has been written with the aim of bringing order to the chemistry of tannins by including aspects
that are sometimes still overlooked or should be updated with new research in order to understand the potential
of these phytocomplexes as active ingredients or technological components for nutraceutical products. Future
trends in tannin research should address many questions that are still open, such as determining the exact
biosynthetic pathways of all classes of tannins, the actual biological effects determined by the interaction of
tannins with other molecules, their metabolization, and the best extraction methods, but with a view to market
requirements.