Research Progress on Release Patterns of Conjugated Phenolics During Plant Growth, Food Processing and Human Digestion

Phenolics have various of physiological effects such as antioxidant, anti-inflammation, and improving intestinal health, as well as playing an important role in the growth of plant and the regulation of human health. Compared with the free phenolics that can be directly extracted, the conjugated phenolics that are bound to polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, and other components have a higher proportion and a wider distribution. The conjugated phenolics have potential application value and increasing attention. During the entire chain from plant growth to food processing and then to human digestion and utilisation, the conjugated phenolics undergo complex changes in composition, structure, migration transformation, and storage characteristics due to the influence of many factors. The study of its accumulation and release patterns is particularly important to enhance its biological activity and improve the utilisation rate of phenolics. Therefore, this paper provides a brief overview on the release of conjugated phenolics during plant growth, food processing, and human digestion, with a view to providing theoretical guidance for elucidating the release pattern of bound phenolics and improving their utilisation.