The presence of condensed tannin in the leaves of Eulalia villosa

Abstract

The hypothesis that grasses contain tannin deposits in the leaf epidermal cells was tested using the leaf laminas of a southern African sourveld grass, Eulalia villosa (Thunb.) Nees. The leaf material was assayed for total phenols, condensed tannin and biologically‐active tannins. Catechin equivalents of 57.4 and 76.1 mg g⁻¹ dry mass were obtained for total phenols and condensed tannin, respectively. Tannic acid equivalents of 61.1 mg g⁻¹ dry mass was obtained for the biologically‐active tannins. The hypothesis was thus confirmed.

Die hipotese dat grasse tannienagtige neerslae in die blaarepider‐male selle bevat, is getoets deur die lamina van ‘n Suid‐Afrikaanse suurveldgras, Eulalia villosa (Thunb.) Nees. te ondersoek. Totale fenole, gekondenseerde tannien en biologiese‐aktiewe tannien vlakke is vir die blaarmateriaal bepaal. Catechin ekwivalente van 57.4 en 76.1 mg g⁻¹ droë material is verkry vir totale fenole en gekondenseerde tannien, respektiewelik. Tanniensuur ekwivalente van 61.1 mg g⁻¹ droë materiaal is vir die biologiese‐aktiewe tannien verkry. Die getoetsde hipotese is dus bevestig.

Additional index words:

• Biologically‐active tannin
• sourveld grass