title: Microbial production of ellagic acid and biodegradation of ellagitannins.
abstract: In the last years, tannin biodegradation has been the subject of a lot of studies due to its commercial importance and scientific relevance. Tannins are molecules of low biodegradation and represent the main chemical group of natural anti-microbials occurring in the plants. Among the different kinds of tannins, ellagitannins represent the group less studied manly due to their diversity and chemical complexity. The general outline of this work includes information on tannins, their classification and properties, biodegradation, ellagic acid production, and potential applications. In addition, it describes molecular, catalytic, and functional information. Special attention has been focused on the biodegradation of ellagitannins describing the possible role of microbial enzymes in the production of ellagic acid.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Iztapalapa, 09340, DF, México.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aguilera-Carbo
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Augur
authors.forename: Lilia A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Prado-Barragan
authors.forename: Ernesto
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Favela-Torres
authors.forename: Cristóbal N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Aguilar
mesh_terms: D004610:Ellagic Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D005658:Fungi / Q000378:metabolism*; D047348:Hydrolyzable Tannins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D053858:Metabolic Networks and Pathways
chemical_list: D047348:Hydrolyzable Tannins; C013515:ellagitannin; D004610:Ellagic Acid