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Methods for Determining the Degree of Polymerization of Condensed Tannins: A New 1H-NMR Procedure Applied to Cider Apple Procyanidins

  • Chapter
Plant Polyphenols 2

Part of the book series: Basic Life Sciences ((BLSC,volume 66))

Abstract

The degree of polymerization (DP) that corresponds to the number of flavan-3-ol units is one of the most important features that characterize condensed tannins (proanthocyanidins) because of its direct link to the various properties of this kind of phenolic compound. In their definition of vegetable tanning substances, Bate-Smith and Swain1 referred to the molecular weight that must range from 500 to 3,000. By considering their extraction, their biological activities, their sensory effects, condensed tannins often behave according to their molecular weight, although this single feature is quite insufficient to show evidence of all their properties. On the whole, the molecular weight of condensed tannins is related to their ability to associate with proteins and polysaccharides; this “tanning capacity” varies in an increasing order with the DP.2–6 This property is also related to other applications. For instance, the work of Lea and Arnold7 pointed out the influence of the DP of procyanidins in relation to bitterness and astringency of cider. Proanthocyanidins are also partly involved in haze formation in beers: the capacity of beer tannins to precipitate proteins increases with the DPn.4,5,8 Many studies dealing with the biological activities of proanthocyanidins also show that antioxidant,9 antifungal,10 anti-enzymic,11 antisecretory,12 or antitumor13 activities may correlate with the DP.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Recherches Cidricoles, Biotransformation des Fruits et Légumes, INRA, F-35650, Le Rheu, France

    Sylvain Guyot, Nathalie Marnet & Jean-François Drilleau

  2. Unité de Recherches des Biopolymères et des Arômes, IPV, INRA, F-34060, Montpellier, France

    Christine Le Guernevé

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  1. Sylvain Guyot
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  2. Christine Le Guernevé
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  3. Nathalie Marnet
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  4. Jean-François Drilleau
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany

    Georg G. Gross

  2. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pineville, Louisiana, USA

    Richard W. Hemingway

  3. University of Okayama, Okayama, Japan

    Takashi Yoshida

  4. Kenner, Louisiana, USA

    Susan J. Branham

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© 1999 Kluwer Academic / Plenum Publishers, New York

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Guyot, S., Le Guernevé, C., Marnet, N., Drilleau, JF. (1999). Methods for Determining the Degree of Polymerization of Condensed Tannins: A New 1H-NMR Procedure Applied to Cider Apple Procyanidins. In: Gross, G.G., Hemingway, R.W., Yoshida, T., Branham, S.J. (eds) Plant Polyphenols 2. Basic Life Sciences, vol 66. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-4139-4_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-4139-4_11

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

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