Abstract: Phenolic acids are widely found in higher plants. A large number of studies have shown that phenolic acids have strong pharmacological activities such as anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and immune-enhancing functions. In recent years, with the development of the whole grain concept, phenolic acids in cereals has become one of the current hotspots in the area of food research. In this article, the composition and distribution, biosynthesis pathway and metabolic regulation of phenolic acids in cereals are reviewed, and future research directions are also discussed.

Key words: cereals, phenolic acids, synthesis pathway, metabolic regulation