Abstract

A combination of chromatography and spectroscopy has made it possible to reveal the major components of the commercially used chestnut (Castanea Sativa and vesc) tannin extract. Both cellulose and Sephadex LH-20 column were useful although the latter was more successful. Fast atom bombardment mass spectroscopy (FAB-MS) was used to identify individual components. Components of chestnut tannin extract were found having molecular mass range between 170 and 1850 daltons. An HPLC chromatogram showed that at least 17 major components were present in the chestnut extract. All components were derivatives of gallic acid; no derivatives of catechin were found.