Abstract
I have presented evidence1 that leucoanthocyanins are probable precursors of condensed tannins; recent examination of Schinopsis spp.2,3 supports this view (see also ref. 4). It was shown1 that most of the soluble phenolic materials in the sapwood of Eucalyptus marginata were leucoanthocyanins, and that the amount increased at the sapwood–heartwood boundary, where they were changed into the insoluble ‘tannins’ characteristic of this species. In some samples containing a distinctive outer heartwood zone, this change in solubility was found to be incomplete. Monomeric leucoanthocyanins which yielded delphinidin and cyanidin were found in this zone but were not observed in the inner heartwood.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Hillis, W. E., Nature, 175, 597 (1955). “Symp. Vegetable Tannins”, Soc. Leather Trades Chem., 121 (1956); Aust. J. Biol. Sci., 9, 263 (1956).
King, H. G. C., and White, T., J. Soc. Leather Trades Chem., 41, 368 (1957).
Roux, D. G., Nature, 181, 1454 (1958).
Freudenberg, K., and Weinges, K., Ann., 613, 61 (1958).
Hancock, W. V., Forest Prod. J., 7, 335 (1957).
Erdtman, H., Svensk Papperst., 46, 226 (1943).
Pew, J. C., J. For., 47, 196 (1949).
Bate-Smith, E. C., and Metcalfe, C. R., J. Linn. Soc., Lond., 55, 669 (1957).
Gibbs, R. D., Trans. Roy. Soc. Canada, 48, 1 (1954).
Hasegawa, M., J. Jap. For. Soc., 40, 111 (1958).
Hillis, W. E., and Carle, A., Holzforschung (in the press).
Hillis, W. E. (unpublished results).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
HILLIS, W. Formation of Condensed Tannins in Plants. Nature 182, 1371 (1958). https://doi.org/10.1038/1821371a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/1821371a0
This article is cited by
-
Chemical aspects of heartwood formation
Wood Science and Technology (1968)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.