Tyrosol Modifications for Improved Functionality: A Review of Hydrophilic and Lipophilic Pathways and Their Potential Applications

Tyrosol is a natural phenolic compound mainly found in plants, such as <i>Rhodiola rosea</i> and olives. Tyrosol exhibits various biological activities, including antimicrobial, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory properties, and antioxidant capabilities, making it valuable for applications in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Nevertheless, challenges such as low solubility and instability of tyrosol <i>in vivo</i> lead to a shortened biological half-life, decreased bioavailability, and limited applications. To address these issues, modifying tyrosol by introducing hydrophilic or lipophilic groups is of great importance for altering its hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB). This review provides a comprehensive overview of the hydrophilic and lipophilic modification methods for tyrosol through chemical and biological pathways, as well as the potential applications of tyrosol and its derivatives across various fields, including food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. This review aims to provide valuable research guidance for the integrated modification of tyrosol and the utilization of tyrosol and its derivatives, as well as the effective enhancement of their biological functions.