Tannic acid: Overview, Questions, Preparation

Tannic acid is a type of polyphenol and is also popularly famous as Acidum tannicum or Gallotannic acid. Tannic acid has many phenol groups and is a reason it is a weak acid. Tannic acid is present in nutgalls formed by insects on the twigs of specific oak trees. Purified tannic acid works as a medicinal product.  The worldwide chemical formula of tannic acid is C76H52O46. The two main types of  Tannic acid are Acidum tannicum are Condensed tannins and Hydrolyzable tannins. The word tannin derives from the Celtic word for Oaktree, used once for the treatment of leather. 

Tannic acid is known for anti-bacterial, anti-enzyme and astringent properties. It has an antidote property to absorb poisons. We use tannic acid to stop bleeding, treat redness and relieve other conditions of soreness. Tannic acid (TA), a mixture of gallic acid esters of glucose, is a common ingredient in many foods. Tannic acid inhibits carcinogen activation. It has some antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It has wide applications in the food industry. 

Consumption of tannic acid causes constipation. We used it in the prevention of diarrhoea (in the absence of fever or inflammation).  Tannic acid should not be used routinely or in high amounts, and the absorption of iron and possibly other essential minerals is slowing down. 

Tannic acid inhibits corrosion, the dyeing process for cellulose fibres in the preservation of ferrous metal objects. Tannic acid conveys anti-staining properties to polyamide carpets or yarns, and it works as a reagent in analytical chemistry. However, Tannic Acid may harm the environment as a whole, and its use has been most beneficial for the human population. 

This chapter or topic has a weightage of 3 marks in the 11th standard exam. 

• Tannic acid is brown, hence white wood has a low tannin content.
• We remove tannin from water, with the help of a carbon filter. 
• Tannins exert action in the body leads to physiological effects, such as accelerating blood clotting, reducing blood pressure. 

Q: What does tannic acid do to the body?

Q: What foods are high in tannic acid?

Q: What is the difference between tannin and tannic acid?

Q: Is tannic acid in coffee?