Ferulic acidIt has strong antioxidant activity and has a strong scavenging effect on hydrogen peroxide, superoxide radical, hydroxyl radical and peroxynitrite. Ferulic acid can not only eliminate free radicals, but also regulate human physiological functions, inhibit enzymes that produce free radicals, and promote the production of enzymes that scavenge free radicals. Experimental studies also found that ferulic acid can protect cells from damage caused by peroxides produced in the body, especially hydroxyl free radicals and nitric oxide. The antioxidant properties of ferulic acid have important applications in food.

    First, it can be used as preservative  

        Ferulic acid can be used as a food preservative due to its antioxidant and antibacterial activities. In Japan, ferulic acid was used to preserve oranges and as an antioxidant in flaxseed oil, soybean oil and lard in 1975. Some amino acids and dipeptides can be used as synergists. Compared with other phenolic substances, ferulic acid has two advantages. First, it has strong antioxidant activity. Ferulic acid has a strong inhibitory effect on the production of hydroperoxide. Another advantage of ferulic acid is its stability to pH, which is significantly stronger than chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid and gallic acid. This characteristic is very important for foods processed under alkaline conditions, such as protein extraction and histolization, fruit peeling and so on. It is worth mentioning that some derivatives of ferulic acid show stronger antioxidant activity than ferulic acid, which provides a new way for people to synthesize new antioxidants.  

    Second, application in sports food  

    Athletes in the process of intense exercise will cause oxidative damage to the body. Many sports foods need to add antioxidants. Ferulic acid is a potential antioxidant and can stimulate the secretion of hormones, so ferulic acid or herbs containing ferulic acid are added to many foreign sports foods. It can also be added to health care products, such as Xinxuekang, Limai capsules, madam oral liquid, etc. it can also play a role in bodybuilding and skin protection in the human body.