How to Break Down Tannins

Tannins belong to a group of chemical molecules called polyphenols. They are found in a variety of plants as a form of defense. The bitter taste of tannins causes plant materials to be unpalatable for many plant-eating animals. Tannins can be problematic by causing a bitter taste in drinking water. Decomposing plants leave tannins in the soil. Eventually rain carries the tannins into a source for drinking water.

Things You'll Need

• Chlorine
• Activated charcoal
• Clear glass or plastic container
• Funnel
• Filter paper

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Determine presence of tannins in water. Tannins are a dark brown compound and will cause water to appear yellow to brown in color. Water should be poured into a clear glass or plastic container to observe color.

• 2

  Add chlorine to the water. Chlorine is an oxidizing agent that will react with negatively charged tannins and break them down. Ozone is another effective oxidizing agent used to break down tannins is drinking water.

• 3

  Determine if tannins have been broken down. Chlorine reacts with tannin and other organic compounds to produce trihalomethanes. The length of time for tannins to break down is variable depending on the amount of material present. The water should appear clear.

• 4

  Prepare activated charcoal filters by adding charcoal in a funnel with filter paper. The filter paper will hold the charcoal in the funnel during filtration.

• 5

  Filter water using activated charcoal. Activated charcoal effectively removes many water impurities including trihalomethanes. Residual chlorine is also effectively removed. The end product is tannin free clear water.