CATECHU

Synonyms

Pale catechu, gambier,

kattha
Biological

source It consists of the

dried aqueous extract prepared from

the leaves of Uncaria gambier
Family

- Rubiaceae

 Chemical
It

constituents

contains tannins like catechins and

catechu tannic acid

It

contains flavonoids like quercetin and

fluorescent

substances

Gambier

fluorescein.
It

also contains catechu- red, pyrogallol,

fixed oil and waxes

 Uses

Used

as an astringent

Used

in the treatment of diarrhoea

Used

in the preparation of lozenges

BLACK CATECHU
Biological
It

source

consists of the dried aqueous

extract prepared from heart wood of

Acacia catechu and Acacia chundra
Family

- Leguminosae

 Chemical
It

constituents

contains tannins like catechins and

catechu tannic acid

It

contains flavonoids like quercetin.

Others

like Catechu- red and gum

Uses

Used

as an astringent, used in diarrhoea

Used

as a cooling and digestive agent

CHEMICAL TESTS FOR CATECHU

1.

Gambir Fluorescin test-

Alcoholic

sodium

extract of drug, few drops of

hydroxide

mix

and

add

petroleum ether, shake and kept aside

for few minutes petroleum ether layer
shows green fluorescence ( + ve for
pale catechu due Gambir Fluorescin )

 2.

Match stick test ( Catechins test)

match stick is dipped in aqueous

plant extract , dried near burner and

moistened with Hcl. On warming near
flame , the match stick wood turns
pink or red due to the formation of
phloroglucinol.

 3.

Vanillin Hydrochloric acid test

Test

solution and few drops of Vanillin

Hydrochloric acid reagent A red or pink is

formed due the formation of phloroglucinol.
4.

Chlorophyll test -

Powdered

drug is heated with chloroform

on a water bath for 1-2 minutes .The

organic layer is filtered in a china dish and
evaporated
residue

on the water bath green

TANNIC ACID
Biological

source

It is obtained from the nutgalls. Galls are

vegetable

outgrowths

found

on

the

young twigs of Quercus infectoria

Family

- Fagaceae

Tannic

acid is a hydrolysable tannin and

yields

Gallic

hydrolysis

acid

and

glucose

on

 Uses

Used

as an astringent

Used

externally in the treatment of burns

Used

as an antidote for alkaloid

poisoning

NUTGALL

Synonym

Biological

Turkey galls
source

Galls

are

the

pathological outgrowths formed on

the

twigs of the oak tree Quercus infectoria

Family

- Fagaceae

Chemical

constituents 40-60% of tannic

acid
Uses-

Used as an astringent, used in the

manufacture of tannic acid

QUESTIONS

Define tannins and explain various methods of

estimation of tannins.10 M

Write a note on general properties and method of

isolation of tannins. 10M

Write the source, active constituents and uses of

Catechu and Nutgall.5M

Explain

the

different

types

of

tannins

with

examples.5M

Write

note

significances.5M

on

Goldbeaters

test

and

its

 Write

a note on estimation of Hydrolysable

tannins.5M
Give

the

identification

chemical
of

tests

Catechu

for

and

the
Tannic

acid.5M
Give

an account of Catechu.5M

What

are tannins? Give general chemical

tests to identify them.5M

Define

Tannins. How will you differentiate

True tannins from pseudo tannins ? 5M

 Write

in brief about Nut gall. 2M

Chemical

tests for the identification of

tannins.2M
What

is

tannic

acid

and

give

its

and

its

uses.2M
Gambir-

Flurorescin

test

significances.2M
Define

Pseudo- tannins

examples. 2M

and

give