Phenol is one of a number of chemically active connections which can be found in the nature. They show a wide range of properties; some of them are useful to health. Others – deadly poisons. Many substances of this type matter for medicines or nutritional supplements.
Physical and chemical properties
The class of phenolic chemical compounds is similar to alcohols. However phenols form rigid hydrogen communications with other chemicals. One more difference is their high acidity, solubility, and boiling temperature. These chemical elements in itself are colourless, but some of them can be brightly painted. They play an important role in vegetable pigmentation. At the room temperature phenols, as a rule, are in strong or liquid aggregate state.
Role of phenols in the nature
There are hundreds of different types of phenols, and they make the contribution to a variety of a plant life on Earth. Anthocyans and flavonoids, for example, give unique color to some trees. Others, such as eugenol and ketol, provide existence of aroma. Phenols also take part in a wide range of biological interactions of the person and animals. Practically all phenolic acids concern them. For example, capsaicin which does pepper hot or kannabinoid – active ingredient of marijuana. Anesthetic propofol, antiseptic xylenol and salicylic acid are also phenols.
Many substances which are important for human health are polyphenols – chemicals from several molecules of phenol connected with each other. This group includes tannins: lignins and flavonoids. Some polyphenols, such as tirozola and oleuropein, have antioxidant properties. Others can reduce the probability of cardiovascular diseases and cancer. At least, one polyphenol – resveratrol as believe, has the powerful rejuvenating effect.
Distribution of phenols on Earth
Polyphenols can be found in olive oil, skins of fruit, leaves, berries, tea, coffee, chocolate, nuts and some other vegetable ingredients. Many of them can be found in wine. They strongly affect taste and color of this product. Some of them were synthesized in pure form and became dietary supplements. Phenols in a natural look are very useful to health. Therefore specialists in advertizing began to create image and for their synthetic analogs. However it is not always so good. Some phenols, on the contrary, are noxious to health. Many plants allocate unpleasant or poisonous phenolic connections to frighten off herbivorous. One of them – urushiol, causes rash. This substance is emitted with a poisonous ivy. Tannins impact to acorns their bitter relish, and are very poisonous in high doses. Carbolic acid causes chemical burns and can be carcinogen. As phenols represent a wide range of substances, they very strongly affect human health.