Abstract
Polyphenols are one of the largest and most widespread groups of secondary metabolites in the plants world. These compounds are of particular interest due to their occurrence and the properties they possess. The main sources of phenolic compounds are fruits and vegetables, but lately, more and more studies refer to woody vascular plants, especially to bark, as an important source of phenolic compounds with a potential biological effect. This study aims to bring together information on the phenolic compounds present in the bark of woody vascular plants by discussing extraction methods, the chemical composition of the extracts and potential biological effects. The literature data used in this paper were collected via PubMed (2004–2019). Search terms were: bark, rhytidome, woody vascular plant, polyphenols, phenolic compounds, biologic activity, antioxidant, immunostimulatory, antimutagenic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antitumoral. This paper intends to highlight the fact that the polyphenolic extracts obtained from the bark of woody vascular plants represent sources of bioactive compounds with antioxidant, immunostimulatory, antimutagenic, antibacterial properties, etc. Future research directions should be directed towards identification and isolation of bioactive compounds. Consequently, biologically active compounds obtained from the bark of woody plants could be exploited on an industrial scale.
Highlights
Current research is directed towards finding new sources of biologically active natural compounds with a wide range of applicability
The main sources of phenolic compounds are fruits and vegetables, but more studies refer to woody vascular plants, especially to bark, as an important source of phenolic compounds with a potential biological effect
The bark of woody vascular plants is often considered a forest waste, but it can be an important source of bioactive compounds with a high potential for capitalisation
Summary
Current research is directed towards finding new sources of biologically active natural compounds with a wide range of applicability. Phenolic compounds or polyphenols are one of the most frequent and widespread groups of substances in the world of plants, with more than 8000 identified phenolic structures [1]. Polyphenols are secondary metabolites essential for the growth and development of plants and their reproduction They help to control growth in diameter, pigmentation, and defence against various pathogens [3] or act as signalling molecules to distinguish symbionts [4]. These compounds, as natural antioxidants, have important properties that involve the inhibition of lipid peroxidation, inhibition of carcinogenesis, antimicrobial activity, direct constrictive action on capillaries, naturally occurring phytohormones, stabilisation of ascorbic acid, etc. These compounds, as natural antioxidants, have important properties that involve the inhibition of lipid peroxidation, inhibition of carcinogenesis, antimicrobial activity, direct constrictive action on capillaries, naturally occurring phytohormones, stabilisation of ascorbic acid, etc. [5]
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