Ellagitannins in Rosoideae (Rosaceae): Occurrence, Distribution, and Agronomic Insights

Ellagitannins (ETs) are bioactive hydrolysable polyphenols characteristic of many species in the Rosaceae Juss. subfamily Rosoideae and are increasingly recognized for their therapeutic potential. They are biosynthesized from the precursor 3-dehydroshikimate through enzymatic conversions, leading to the formation of various ETs such as agrimoniin, lambertianin C, sanguiin H-6, sanguiin H-1 and related compounds, many of which exhibit notable anti-inflammatory and health-promoting properties. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the quantitative occurrence of ETs across Rosoideae species, tissues, and cultivars. It emphasizes well-characterized genera, such as Rubus L. and Fragaria L., while also highlighting emerging data from less-explored taxa, including Sanguisorba L., Geum L., Agrimonia L., and related genera. ET accumulation is influenced by multiple factors, including environmental conditions, agronomic practices, developmental stage, and post-harvest handling, which can alter content by more than twofold. Importantly, ETs are highly sensitive to processing, necessitating precise control of extraction protocols and analytical workflows to ensure reproducible quantification and accurate assessment of their functional potential. Following consumption, ETs are metabolized by gut microbiota into urolithins, particularly urolithin A, which displays enhanced bioactivity, and microbial fermentation can further generate bioactive derivatives, though regulatory considerations may limit practical applications. By integrating mechanistic, agronomic, and comparative insights, this review highlights established trends and identifies opportunities for targeted strategies to enhance ET content and functional potential across Rosoideae species. • Ellagitannin distribution and structural diversity across Rosoideae species • Tissue- and cultivar-specific accumulation, including non-edible plant organs • Influence of agronomic and environmental factors on ellagitannin content • Effects of postharvest handling and processing on stability and functional potential