Ferulic acid is a common phenolic compound found in plant cell walls, present in free and conjugated forms. It exhibits various biological activities, including antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial, and antiviral effects. Due to its potential health benefits, ferulic acid has attracted significant research interest as a functional food ingredient. This review discusses recent advances in the extraction methods for quantifying ferulic acid in different samples, along with its bioavailability and stability in food processing. It also covers its biological activities. Ferulic acid is extracted from natural sources using various techniques, including Soxhlet extraction, accelerated solvent extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, subcritical water extraction, and pressurized liquid extraction. The extraction efficiency is influenced by factors such as solvent type, temperature, extraction time, and liquid-solid ratio. Alkaline hydrolysis and enzymatic hydrolysis are also used to release ferulic acid from plant materials. The purification of ferulic acid from alkaline extracts is often achieved through adsorption on solid materials. Solid-phase extraction and ionic liquids are also used for preconcentration and purification of ferulic acid. The bioavailability of ferulic acid is limited due to its poor intrinsic distribution rate and binding to arabinoxylans and other indigestible polysaccharides. Food processing methods such as boiling, steaming, and microwaving can increase the bioaccessibility of ferulic acid. However, the bioavailability of ferulic acid is still limited, and only a small fraction is available for absorption in the gut. Ferulic acid has a wide range of biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiallergic, and antiviral effects. It also has protective properties against cardiovascular disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Ferulic acid's antioxidant properties are mainly due to its ability to scavenge free radicals and increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes. It has been shown to have significant antioxidant capacity and to protect against oxidative stress. Ferulic acid has been studied for its anticancer activity, showing the ability to inhibit the proliferation and migration of various malignant tumors. It can cause mitochondrial apoptosis by inducing the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species. Ferulic acid also has cardioprotective effects against various drugs and toxic agents. It has been shown to have antidiabetic effects and to protect against diabetic complications. Ferulic acid has neuropharmacological applications due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and antiapoptotic effects. It has been shown to have protective effects on skin structures and to inhibit melanogenesis, enhance angiogenesis, and accelerate wound healing. Ferulic acid is also used in the cosmetic industry to protect skin from UV-induced damage. The review concludes that ferulic acid is a widespreadFerulic acid is a common phenolic compound found in plant cell walls, present in free and conjugated forms. It exhibits various biological activities, including antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial, and antiviral effects. Due to its potential health benefits, ferulic acid has attracted significant research interest as a functional food ingredient. This review discusses recent advances in the extraction methods for quantifying ferulic acid in different samples, along with its bioavailability and stability in food processing. It also covers its biological activities. Ferulic acid is extracted from natural sources using various techniques, including Soxhlet extraction, accelerated solvent extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, subcritical water extraction, and pressurized liquid extraction. The extraction efficiency is influenced by factors such as solvent type, temperature, extraction time, and liquid-solid ratio. Alkaline hydrolysis and enzymatic hydrolysis are also used to release ferulic acid from plant materials. The purification of ferulic acid from alkaline extracts is often achieved through adsorption on solid materials. Solid-phase extraction and ionic liquids are also used for preconcentration and purification of ferulic acid. The bioavailability of ferulic acid is limited due to its poor intrinsic distribution rate and binding to arabinoxylans and other indigestible polysaccharides. Food processing methods such as boiling, steaming, and microwaving can increase the bioaccessibility of ferulic acid. However, the bioavailability of ferulic acid is still limited, and only a small fraction is available for absorption in the gut. Ferulic acid has a wide range of biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiallergic, and antiviral effects. It also has protective properties against cardiovascular disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Ferulic acid's antioxidant properties are mainly due to its ability to scavenge free radicals and increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes. It has been shown to have significant antioxidant capacity and to protect against oxidative stress. Ferulic acid has been studied for its anticancer activity, showing the ability to inhibit the proliferation and migration of various malignant tumors. It can cause mitochondrial apoptosis by inducing the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species. Ferulic acid also has cardioprotective effects against various drugs and toxic agents. It has been shown to have antidiabetic effects and to protect against diabetic complications. Ferulic acid has neuropharmacological applications due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and antiapoptotic effects. It has been shown to have protective effects on skin structures and to inhibit melanogenesis, enhance angiogenesis, and accelerate wound healing. Ferulic acid is also used in the cosmetic industry to protect skin from UV-induced damage. The review concludes that ferulic acid is a widespread