Oak (Quercus leucotrichophora) Galls, as an Intense Source of Natural Gallic Acid Patni Vidya1,*, Sharma Nidhi1,**, Mishra Preeti 1Plant Pathology, Tissue Culture and Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, India *Email id: vidyapatni@gmail.com
**nidhi.sharma3003@gmail.com
Abstract Quercus leucotrichophora A. Camus is widely distributed in Central Himalayan region of India. Leaf galls of Q. leucotrichophora induced by Eriophyes sp. present unique pattern of chemical perturbations, which normally do not occur in normal morphogenesis of the involved organ. Since ancient times, it is known that gallnuts from oak contain the highest naturally occurring level of gallotannins and these galls are widely used in traditional medicines. Deposition of gallotannin was observed in late stages of gall development. Gallic acid was identified in normal leaf, cecidomyiid and eriophyed leaf galls by using thin-layer chromatography Rf=0.68), high-performance liquid chromatography (Rt=6.565, 6.576 and 6.547, respectively) and infrared spectral studies. It was found that gallic acid content increased almost two to three fold in gall tissues as compared to normal leaf tissue. It is concluded that elevated quantity of condensed gallotannins recorded in gall tissues can be isolated from the galls and can play a wide role in commercial production of gallic acid and its different derivatives. Top Keywords Gallic acid, HPLC, Oak leaf galls. Top |