ABSTRACT
Ellagic acid (EA) is a polyphenolic compound derived from the hydrolysis of ellagitannins; it is a powerful bioactive component that is used in the industrial area due to their many properties and health benefits. In this review, we analyze and describe at detail the uses as bioactive in cosmetic, food and pharmaceutical industries, and the advantages of this polyphenol due to it is a compound within the reach of all that is found in nature in a lot of fruits, also we will mention the functions these compounds perform in the human body, as well a review of all the processes for the obtaining 112of this molecule, like alternative biotechnological processes, to improve and increase the production and recovery of the EA, making emphasis in solid state culture technique, and a list of the principal sources of EA, tannins, and their derivatives.
