Simagchem Corp.

Uses Gallic acid is an important component of iron gall ink, the standard European writing and drawing ink from the 12 th to 19th century with a history extending to the Roman empire and the Dead Sea Scrolls. Pliny the Elder (23-79 AD) describes his experiments with it and writes that it was used to produce dyes. Galls (also known as oak apples) from oak trees were crushed and mixed with water, producing tannic acid (a macromolecular complex containing gallic acid). It could then be mixed with green vitriol (ferrous sulfate) — obtained by allowing sulfate - saturated water from a spring or mine drainage to evaporate — and gum arabic from acacia trees; this combination of ingredients produced the ink.

Gallic acid was one of the substances used by Angelo Mai (1782–1854), among other early investigators of palimpsests, to clear the top layer of text off and reveal hidden manuscripts underneath. Mai was the first to employ it, but did so "with a heavy hand", often rendering manuscripts too damaged for subsequent study by other researchers.

Early photographers, including Joseph Bancroft Reade (1801– 1870) and William Fox Talbot (1800 – 1877), used gallic acid for developing latent images in calotypes. It has also been used as a coating agent in zincography.

Uses It can be used to produce polyesters based on phloretic acid and gallic acid.

Uses gallic acid is a potential bleaching agent and anti-oxidant, it is also astringent and potentially anti-microbial and anti-fungal. Scientists are finding that gallic acid may serve as a skin-lightening agent by inhibiting the action of the tyrosinase and peroxidase enzymes. Some studies indicate that it is more effective than hydroquinone when combined with the proper ingredients. It is also incorporated into anti-aging formulations for its ability to prevent mucopolysaccaride deterioration. It is a constituent of witch hazel and oak bark, among many other plants; however, it is generally obtained from nutgalls for commercial purposes.

Uses antineoplastic, astringent, antibacterial

Uses Gallic acid is a trihydroxybenzoic acid found in many plants as either the free acid or in the esterified form of gallotannins and ellagitannins. It demonstrates antioxidant activity by scavenging 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and hydroxyl free radicals with IC50 values of 9.4 and 191 μM, respectively, and inhibiting microsomal lipid peroxidation with an IC50 value of 1.51 μM. Gallic acid is often used as a standard for determining the phenol content of various analytes by the Folin-Ciocalteau assay where results are reported in gallic acid equivalents.[Cayman Chemical]

Uses A cyclooxygease inhibitor substance found in plants.