Question

The botanical name of Kattha is
A) Acacia concinna
B) Acacia catechu
C) Acacia Senegal
D) Acacia nilotica

Answer 1

Hint: Kattha is extracted from the wood part of “Khair tree”. These trees are found in abundance in forests of Rajasthan, Bihar, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Nepal and Himachal Pradesh. This Khair tree is present in different varieties such as Acacia sundra, Acacia catechu sides and Acacia catechu.

Complete Answer:
Characteristics and manufacturing of Kattha (also known as cutch, black cutch, cachou, cashoo, kaath)
- It is a white substance which is obtained by cutting heartwood into fine chips.
- Manufacturing is simple and industry based.

    Cutting of heartwood into small and fine chips
                                          ↓
                                 Extraction
                                         ↓
Crystallization, Filtration and Washing
                                         ↓
Making in a tablet form, Concentrating, Drying and Packing.

Chemical composition of kattha:
- Kattha consists of tannins and flavonoids:
- Tannins- Catechins and catechu tannic acid.
- Flavonoids- Flavonoids like quercetin and its derivatives are present.

Uses:
- It is used to prepare paan all over the country.
- It has got some medicinal values also to cure itching, bronchitis, indigestion, ulcer, piles, throat diseases etc.
- It is very effective in leprosy.
- Used in the preservation and sizing of mail bags, sailing rods etc.
- Astringent, cooling agent.

The correct answer is Acacia catechu.

Note: Acacia nilotica is commonly known as Gum Arabic tree, babul.
Acacia Senegal is Senegalia Senegal which is a small deciduous tree.