Potentilla Erecta (L.) Raeusch as an Alternative Source of Environmentally Friendly Polyphenols for Leather Tanning

摘要

High content of polyphenols in plant extracts explains their biological activitity. These extracts also can be used in antimicrobial therapy as an alternative to chemical drugs. A large number of hydroxyl and other functional groups in the polyphenols preconditions formation of strong cross-links with proteins and other macromolecules. The leather tanning technology, known as vegetable tanning, was the prevailing process for leather manufacturers over centuries until it has gradually been displaced by tanning with a use of inorganic chromium compounds by the end of the 19th century. Unfortunately, the vegetable sources with importance for leather tanning are limited in number of plant materials. Potentilla is considered as a tannin-rich plant. It is estimated that tannin content in Potentilla erecta (L.) Raeusch is approx. 15-22%. The results of the present study have shown that Potentilla erecta (L.) Raeusch can be characterized as a potential tannin rich plant source for leather tanning industry. The extracts of Potentilla mainly contain condensed tannins, but also some amounts of hydrolysable tannins are present. The yield of the extractives from Potentilla rootstocks was found to be 21.3%: 11.5% tannins and 9.8% non-tannins. The tannin content in Potentilla is comparable to the ones extracted from Ouebracho and Chestnut wood, tannins that are used widely in leather industry.