What is the Difference Between Condensed Hydrolyzable and Phlorotannins?

The key difference between condensed hydrolyzable and phlorotannins lies in their structure and properties.

Condensed Tannins:

• These are polymeric compounds formed through the condensation of various flavonoid molecules.
• They are not readily hydrolysable, meaning they do not break down easily in water.
• Condensed tannins are also known as proanthocyanidins.

Hydrolyzable Tannins:

• These tannins consist of hydrolysable ester bonds between the main chemical scaffolds.
• Hydrolyzable tannins can be broken down in water.

Phlorotannins:

• Phlorotannins are a specific type of tannin found in marine plants, such as brown algae.
• They are water-soluble due to their polar nature.
• Phlorotannins are usually insoluble in water when they occur in cell walls (of brown algae) and act as structural components.
• Some phlorotannins have the ability to oxidize and form covalent bonds with proteins.

In summary, condensed tannins are polymeric flavonoid compounds that are not easily hydrolyzed, while hydrolyzable tannins have ester bonds that can be broken down in water. Phlorotannins are a specific type of tannin found in marine plants with unique properties, such as the ability to form covalent bonds with proteins and their role as structural components in cell walls.

Comparative Table: Condensed Hydrolyzable vs Phlorotannins

The main difference between condensed hydrolyzable and phlorotannins lies in their structure, solubility, and occurrence in plants. Here is a table comparing the two:

Condensed hydrolyzable tannins are polyphenols found in various plant parts and can be hydrolyzed, while phlorotannins are large polymeric compounds that occur only in brown marine algae. Phlorotannins can be water-soluble due to their polar nature, but when they occur in cell walls of brown algae, they are insoluble in water and act as structural components. Both types of tannins have the ability to precipitate proteins.