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

Abstract

High content of polyphenols in plant extracts explains theirbiological activitity. These extracts also can be used inantimicrobial therapy as an alternative to chemical drugs. Alarge number of hydroxyl and other functional groups in thepolyphenols preconditions formation of strong cross-links withproteins and other macromolecules. The leather tanningtechnology, known as vegetable tanning, was the prevailingprocess for leather manufacturers over centuries until it hasgradually been displaced by tanning with a use of inorganicchromium compounds by the end of the 19th century.Unfortunately, the vegetable sources with importance for leathertanning are limited in number of plant materials. Potentilla isconsidered as a tannin-rich plant. It is estimated that tannincontent in Potentilla erecta (L.) Raeusch is approx. 15-22%. Theresults of the present study have shown that Potentilla erecta (L.)Raeusch can be characterized as a potential tannin rich plantsource for leather tanning industry. The extracts of Potentillamainly contain condensed tannins, but also some amounts ofhydrolysable tannins are present. The yield of the extractivesfrom Potentilla rootstocks was found to be 21.3%: 11.5% tanninsand 9.8% non-tannins. The tannin content in Potentilla iscomparable to the ones extracted from Ouebracho and Chestnutwood, tannins that are used widely in leather industry.