tannins

• DEF: Contain the mixture of complex organic

substances in which polyphenls are present
generally with o-dihydroxy or o-trihydroxy groups
in a phenyl ring.
• They form colloidal solutions with water and are
non-crystalline substances. In solution they show
acidic reaction due to phenols. They are soluble
in alcohol, glycerine, dilute alkalies but practically
insoluble in organic solvents except acetone.
 Chemical reactions of tannins
1. Solution precipitates gelatin and alkaloids
2. Are precipitated by salts of copper, tin,lead
3. Precipitated by strong potassium dichromate solution or
chromic acid solution
4. Show colour reactions with iron salts. Ferric chloride gives
bluish black, potassium ferricyanide with ammonia gives deep
red colour
5. Goldbeater’s skin test: membrane is obtained from intestine of
ox, treated with HCL,rinsed with distilled water and placed in
tannin solution for 5 minutes, followed by washing with distilled
water and then putting ferrous sulphate solution. A brown or
black colour is obtained due to tannins
 Classification of tannins
Based n chemical nature and behaviour on dry distillation
1. Hydrolysable tannins: hydrolysed by acids or enzymes
and products of hydrolysis are gallic acid or ellagic acid
eg. Nutgall, rhubarb, clove, chestnut
2. Condensed taninns: they are resistant to hydrolysis. On
treatment with enzymes or mineral acids, they are
polymerised or decomposed to red coloured
substances called phlobaphenes which are insoluble in
water. Eg wild cherry bark, cocoa, pale and black
catechu
 Pseudotannins
• This is not a separate group of tannins, but
may be treated as subgroup because they do
not obey goldbeater’s skin test and are low
molecular weight compounds. Eg chlorogenic
acid in coffee and nuxvomica.
 myrobalan
• Source: it is the dried ripe fully matured fruits
of Terminalia chebula, family Combretaceae
• Chemical constituents. Tannin. Chebulagic,
chebulinic, gallic acid. On hydrolysis yeilds
chebulic acid and d-galloyl glucose.
• Uses- astringent, laxative, stomachic, tonic
 arjuna
• Source; it Is the dried stem bark of Terminalia
arjuna
• Chemical constituents; 15% tannins
(hydrolysable and condensed), triterpenoid
saponin, arjunolic acid
• Uses- cardiotonic, styptic, febrifuge,
antidysentric
 ashoka
• Source; dried stem bark of Saraca indica,
family Leguminosae
• Chemical constituents- 6% tannin,
haematoxylin, ketosterol, saponin
• Uses- uterine tonic, sedative
 Black catechu
• Dried aqueous extract prepared from the
heart wood of Acacia catechu, family
Leguminosae
• Chemical const; 10% acacatechin
• Uses- astringent for boils, skin eruptions,
ulcers. Coughs, diarrhoea,. dyeing
 Pale catechu
• Source; dried aquoeus extract of the leaves
and young shoots of Uncaria gambier, family
Rubiaceae
• Chem const; catechins, catechutannic acid,
catechu red
• Uses- astringent in treatment of diarrhoea,
making of lozenges, dyeing
 Tannic acid
• Source; extracted from specially fermented
oak galls which are grown on young twigs
ofQuercus infectoria, family fagaceae
• Uses- astringent for mucous membrane of
mouth and throat
 amla
• Source; dried and fresh fruits of Embilica
officinalis, family Euphorbiaceae
• Chemical const; vitamin c, tannin
• Uses; acrid, diuretic, refrigerant, laxative.
Dried fruit is used in diarrhea, dysentery