Lecture - 36 A general account of Industrial Plants: Tannins and Dyes, Rubber and other latex products, Gums and Resins, Sugar and Starch

A general account of Industrial Plants: Tannins and Dyes, Rubber and other latex products, Gums and Resins, Sugar and Starch:-

1. Tannins and Dyes:-

Tannins:-

Definition:- Water-soluble polyphenolic compounds used mainly for tanning leather.

Sources:-

i. Acacia catechu (Khair)

ii. Terminalia chebula (Harad)

iii. Quercus infectoria (Oak galls)

iv. Cassia auriculata (Tanner’s Cassia)

Uses:-

> Leather tanning industry

> Dyeing textiles

> Ink manufacturing

> Clarifying beer and wine

> Used in medicine for astringent properties

Natural Dyes:-

Definition:- Colorants obtained from plants and other natural sources.

Plant Sources:-

i. Indigofera tinctoria – Indigo dye (blue)

ii. Bixa orellana – Annatto (orange-red)

iii. Rubia cordifolia – Indian madder (red)

iv. Curcuma longa – Turmeric (yellow)

v. Lawsonia inermis – Henna (reddish brown)

Uses:-

> Textile dyeing

> Food coloring

> Cosmetic use (like henna)

> Ink production

> Medicinal properties

2. Rubber and Other Latex-Producing Plants:-

Rubber:-

Main Source:- Hevea brasiliensis (Para rubber tree)

Family:- Euphorbiaceae

Production:-

> Latex is collected via tapping.

> Processed into sheets or crepe for industry.

Uses:-

> Tyres and tubes

> Footwear (chappals, boots)

> Industrial belts and hoses

> Medical gloves and surgical items

> Adhesives and rubber bands

Other Latex-Producing Plants:-

i. Manihot glaziovii – Ceara rubber

ii. Ficus elastica – Indian rubber plant

iii. Lactuca sativa – Latex used in sedatives

iv. Papaver somniferum – Opium latex (for pharmaceutical use)

3. Gums and Resins:-

Gums:-

Definition:- Water-soluble polysaccharides exuded from plants after injury.

Sources:-

i. Acacia senegal – Gum Arabic

ii. Boswellia serrata – Salai guggul

iii. Sterculia urens – Karaya gum

Uses:-

> Used as thickening agents

> In food industry (ice creams, candies)

> Pharmaceuticals (binders, laxatives)

> Cosmetics (face creams, lotions)

> Textile printing

Resins:-

Definition:- Water-insoluble, sticky substances secreted by trees.

Sources:-

i. Pinus roxburghii – Pine resin (turpentine and rosin)

ii. Shorea robusta – Sal dammar

iii. Canarium strictum – Black dammar

Uses:-

> Varnishes and paints

> Incense and perfumes

> Adhesives and sealing wax

> Ayurvedic medicines

> Soap and cosmetics industry

4. Sugar and Starch Producing Plants:-

Sugar Plants:-

Main Source:- Saccharum officinarum (Sugarcane)

Other Sources:-

i. Beta vulgaris (Sugar beet)

ii. Phoenix sylvestris (Wild date palm)

iii. Borassus flabellifer (Palmyra palm)

Uses:-

> Sugar production

> Alcohol and ethanol (distilleries)

> Jaggery (gur) production

> Biofuel source

> By-products used in cattle feed and paper

Starch Plants:-

Sources:-

i. Zea mays (Maize)

ii. Oryza sativa (Rice)

iii. Solanum tuberosum (Potato)

iv. Manihot esculenta (Tapioca/Cassava)

Uses:-

> Food thickening agent

> Textile and paper sizing

> Manufacture of biodegradable plastics

> Pharmaceuticals (binders)

> Bakery and confectionery industries