Question

Which one of the following species yield wood tans?

• A. Acacia mearnsii
• B. Acacia catechu
• C. Emblica officinalis
• D. Anogeissus latifolia

Hint:

To remember:
- Cutch from Acacia catechu \(\rightarrow\) Wood tan.
- Wattle from Acacia mearnsii \(\rightarrow\) Bark tan.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Tannins are water-soluble polyphenolic compounds used in the leather tanning industry.
They are classified based on the plant organ they are harvested from, such as bark tans, leaf tans, fruit tans, or wood tans.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us classify the source of tannins for each species:
1. Acacia mearnsii (Black wattle): Yields high-quality tannins from its bark (bark tans).
2. Emblica officinalis (Aonla): Tannins are concentrated in its fruits and leaves (fruit/leaf tans).
3. Anogeissus latifolia (Dhawa): Its leaves are a major source of commercial tannins (leaf tans).
4. Acacia catechu (Khair): The heartwood of this tree is boiled in water to extract a tannin-rich concentrate known commercially as Cutch (Katha).
Because this tannin is extracted directly from the heartwood, it is classified as a wood tan.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The species that yields wood tans is Acacia catechu.