414 "Tannin Masses" in Fruit of the Persimmon [April 



Finally, the tannin masses stained deep blue with ferric chlorid 

 Solution and, as Lloyd found, this color was quickly destroyed by 

 nitric acid. These properties of the tannin masses show that the 

 latter contain neither reducing sugars nor protein; they also suggest 

 that phloroglucinol occurs with tannin and cellulose material. 



Hydrolysis of tannin masses with 0.2 per cent. and 2 per 

 Cent, hydrochloric acid Solutions. The addition of 0.2 per cent. 

 hydrochloric acid Solution to tannin masses, with subsequent heating, 

 caused them to disintegrate, giving the whole liquid a bright cherry 

 red color. The tannin masses as such disappeared and a white 

 flocculent residue remained suspended in the red liquid. The mix- 

 ture was filtered and to the filtrate we added 0.5 per cent. sodium 

 hydroxid Solution until the acid was neutralized. Beyond this 

 neutral point the red color disappeared, but on standing or aftcr 

 further treatment with alkali, a gradually increasing brownish 

 coloration took its place. 



The neutral filtrate was evaporated to dryness on the steam 

 bath and an aqueous Solution of this reddish residue was subjected 

 to the f ollowing tests, with the results indicated : With ferric chlorid 

 Solution, a purplish black coloration was given ; with Fehling-Bene- 

 dict Solution, a dark brownish precipitate was formed at once but 

 it soon changed to a characteristic reduction when heated; the 

 Molisch test was a typical positive one; with vanillin-hydrochloric 

 acid Solution a red color appeared; and a peculiar non-typical pre- 

 cipitate was produced when we attempted to form an osazone with 

 Phenylhydrazine hydrochlorid-sodium acetate mixture. 



We filtered off the white amorphous residue and washed it free 

 from chlorid. Upon testing it we found there was little if any 

 reduction of Fehling-Benedict Solution; with the vanillin-hydro- 

 chloric acid reagent there was no red coloration except in a few 

 deeply stained particles (stone-cells?) f with ferric chlorid Solution 

 a brownish color appeared but no bluish shade. Finally, the residue, 



* " Undoubtedly they were stone cells, as I observed the same thing. To get 

 this reaction all one needs to do is to add hydrochloric acid to the mucilaginous 

 pulp which includes stone cells, and these become colored. When I observed this 

 I did not refer the reaction to the presence in the tannin masses of the phloro- 

 glucinol. This I later satisfied myself to be the case." (Lloyd : Personal com- 

 munication.) 



