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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Camellia japonica : A phytochemical perspective and current applications facing its industrial exploitation

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In response to the increased popularity of medicinal plants, a number of conservation groups are recommending the investigation on poorly characterized and widely distributed species, as it is the case of camellias. In particular, Camellia japonica L. is a widespread species found in Galicia (NW Spain), where it has been largely exploited with ornamental purposes. Recent findings on its phytochemical characterization showed thousands of bioactive ingredients, mostly represented by phenolic compounds, together with terpenoids, and fatty acids. These molecules present associated biological activities, acting as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer agents. This review is aimed at describing the main bioactive compounds of C. japonica, as well as the health-enhancing properties attributed to this medicinal plant. Novel strategies are needed to implement an efficient industrialization process for C. japonica, ranging from small-scale approaches to the establishment of large plantations, thus involving important sectors, such as the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. The research leading to these results was supported by MICINN supporting the Ram´on y Cajal grant for M.A. Prieto (RYC-2017-22891) and and the Juan de la Cierva Incorporaci´on Hui Cao (IJC2020-046055- I); by Xunta de Galicia for supporting the pre-doctoral grant of A.G. Pereira (ED481A-2019/0228); by European Union that supports the work of P. Garcia-Perez through the “Margarita Salas” grant from the “NextGenerationEU” program. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion