Assessment of Cutch, Katha and Catechin Content from Heartwood of Senegalia catechu and Its Variation with Storage

The investigation was carried out in the laboratory of College of Forestry, O.U.A.T, Bhubaneswar during 2023-24. S.catechu phenotypically superior trees selected from the natural habitat of Subarnapur forest division situated in western part of Odisha from which heart wood saw dust were extracted and then Cutch, Katha, Catechin content (%) and Catechin yield were estimated. The ranges were found to be for Cutch yield (1.310 – 1.648 g), Katha yield (1.197 – 0.440 g), Catechin content in katha (33.640 % – 15.935 %) and Catechin content in saw dust (0.571 % – 1.894 %). For identification of proper storage condition of saw dust of Senegalia catechu to avoid losses in Cutch, Katha and Catechin content (%), Saw dust (15 g) stored under different regime (Light, Dark), condition (Open and Closed) for various durations (0, 30, 60, 90 days) which were then extracted. The Katha and Cutch yield from the stored saw dust after 90 days of storage revealed that saw dust stored in closed light condition had highest yield of Katha (1.605 gm), Cutch (1.395gm) with 28.916% and 27.397% increase respectively from initially stored saw dust. The Catechin content (%) in the extracted Cutch from stored saw dust of S. catechu after 90 days of storage revealed that closed dark condition contain highest Catechin content (31.869 %) with 25.137% increase from Cutch extracted initial stored saw dust. The study also revealed light and open has a greater effect on degradation of Katha and Catechin in saw dust whereas closed and dark condition on degradation of Cutch in stored saw dust of S. catechu.