THE CONDENSED TANNINS OF LEPTARRHENA-PYROLIFOLIA

A proanthocyanidin (PA) polymer, a condensed tannin, was isolated, pur ified and characterized from the leaves of Leptarrhena pyrolifolia. Th e predominant extension units in the polymer were (-)-epicatechin and (+)-gallocatechin with traces of (-)-epigallocatechin. (+)-Catechin wa s the predominant terminal unit. The PA polymer contained both prodelp hinidin and procyanidin units in the estimated ratio of ca 1. The cis: trans ratio and the number-average M, of the polymer were determined and are discussed.