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PubMed2002

Increase in tannin consumption by sifaka ( Propithecus verreauxi verreauxi) females during the birth season: a case for self-medication in prosimians?

In this study we report preliminary data on the consumption of tannin-rich plants by sifakas (Propithecus verreauxi verreauxi) living in the Kirindy forest, western Madagascar. Sifakas spent most of their time feeding on only a few plant species. The tannin intake during the period between the pregnancy and birth season was significantly higher in pregnant females or females with lactating infants than in non-reproductive females and males. These periparturient females secured a larger proportion of condensed tannins by short feeding bouts on plants not included in the group's limited preferred food species. The measured increase in tannin intake is puzzling in light of the fact that tannins are commonly known for their protein-binding properties. Since protein demands are highest in pregnant and lactating females, possible medicinal benefits of tannin ingestion are considered. Tannin consumption is associated with an increase in body weight and stimulation of milk secretion. Veterinarians administer tannins as an astringent, anti-hemorrhagic and anti-abortive. Their high potential as an alternative anthelminthic has also recently been recognized. Thus, when viewed as self-medicating behavior, controlled increase in tannin intake could have multiple prophylactic advantages for females during the periparturient period. The high selectivity in their plant choice, and the presence of unusual feeding habits by a particular group of individuals (females with infants) limited in time (birth season), suggests that an increase in tannin ingestion may be a self-medicating behavior with multiple directly adaptive benefits to female reproduction.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Salivary proteins as a defense against dietary tannins.

Tannins, a diverse group of water-soluble phenolics with high affinity to proteins, are widely distributed in various parts of plants, and have negative effects in herbivores after ingestion. Some mammalian species are thought to counteract tannins by secreting tannin-binding salivary proteins (TBSPs). Several types of TBSPs are found in the saliva of laboratory animals, livestock, and wildlife. Among them, proline-rich proteins (PRPs) and histatins are effective precipitators of tannins. It is widely accepted that, at the least, PRPs act as a first line of defense against tannins. Many observations support this idea: in vitro affinity of PRPs to tannins is far higher than that of other proteins such as bovine serum albumin; complexes formed between PRPs and tannins are stable even under the conditions in the stomach and intestine; and PRP production is induced by ingesting tannins. It is believed that species that usually ingest tannins as part of their natural diets produce high levels of PRPs, whereas species not exposed to tannins produce little or no PRPs. This hypothesis is generally supported, although studies on TBSPs in wildlife are limited. This work stresses the importance of gathering basic information on such items as the characteristics of unidentified TBSPs, and seasonal and geographical variations in PRP production.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Tannin-binding salivary proteins in three captive rhinoceros species.

Tannin-binding salivary proteins (TBSP) are considered to be counter-defences acquired in the course of evolution by animals whose natural forage contains such tannins. As tannins mostly occur in browse material but not in grasses, it is assumed that grazers do not have a need for TBSP. Whereas it has been shown in several non-ungulate species that TBSP can be induced by dietary tannins, their presence or absence in ungulates has, so far, been shown to be a species-specific characteristic independent of dietary manipulations. We investigated saliva from three rhinoceros species from zoological gardens fed comparable, conventional zoo diets. As expected, saliva from white rhinoceroses (Ceratotherum simum, grazer) had lower tannin-binding capacities than that from black rhinoceroses (Diceros bicornis, browser). Surprisingly, however, Indian rhinoceroses (Rhinoceros unicornis), commonly regarded as grazers as well, displayed the highest tannin-binding capacities of the three species investigated. It is speculated that this discrepancy might be a result of an evolutionarily recent switch to a grass-dominated diet in Indian rhinoceroses, and that the black rhinoceros, which is closer related to the white rhinoceros than the Indian species, has evolved an inducible mechanism of TBSP production. In separate trials during which the tannin content of the diets of black rhinoceroses was increased by the addition of either tannic acid or quebracho, the tannin-binding capacity of black rhinoceros saliva was increased to levels within the same range as that of Indian rhinoceroses on the conventional diets. While induction trials in white and Indian rhinoceroses remain to be performed for a full understanding of salivary anti-tannin defence in rhinoceroses, these results are the first report of an induced salivary response to increased dietary tannin levels in an ungulate species.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Retention of tannic acid and condensed tannin by Fe-oxide-coated quartz sand.

This paper intends to shed light on the interactions between tannin and mineral soil particles. For that purpose, aqueous solution of condensed tannin (CT) (derived from Black pine (Pinus nigra var. maritima)) and commercially available tannic acid (TA) were added to purified quartz (Qtz) sand and quartz sand coated with either goethite (Gt) or ferrihydrite (Fh). After solvent removal by evaporation the samples were extracted by water. The extracts were analysed for organic carbon, total phenolics and CT. The extractability of the two tannins was small and increased in the order Qtz-Fh < Qtz-Gt < Qtz. For all mineral samples, TA was more extractable than CT. Bonding of tannins to the mineral samples and the partial peptisation of the Fe oxide coatings upon the binding resulted in complex tannin release curves. Our results suggest that the inextractability of tannins from natural soils and the absence of tannins in soil leachates might be caused by strong adsorption on soil minerals such as Qtz and Fe (oxy)(hydr)oxides. The results of competition experiments with mixtures of both tannins demonstrate that the CTs, and TA in particular, can release large amounts of Fe (oxides), suggesting that the tannins are excellent metal-mobilising agents. We therefore suggest that the fate of tannins in the mineral soil environment is highly dependent on the abundance of weakly bonded secondary oxides.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2003

Probing protein-tannin interactions by isothermal titration microcalorimetry.

Isothermal titration microcalorimetry (ITC) has been applied to investigate protein-tannin interactions. Two hydrolyzable tannins were studied, namely myrabolan and tara tannins, for their interaction with bovine serum albumin (BSA), a model globular protein, and gelatin, a model proline-rich random coil protein. Calorimetry data indicate that protein-tannin interaction mechanisms are dependent upon the nature of the protein involved. Tannins apparently interact nonspecifically with the globular BSA, leading to binding saturation at estimated tannin/BSA molar ratios of 48:1 for tara- and 178:1 for myrabolan tannins. Tannins bind to the random coil protein gelatin by a two-stage mechanism. The energetics of the first stage show evidence for cooperative binding of tannins to the protein, while the second stage indicates gradual saturation of binding sites as observed for interaction with BSA. The structure and flexibility of the tannins themselves alters the stoichiometry of the interaction, but does not appear to have any significant affect on the overall binding mechanism observed. This study demonstrates the potential of ITC for providing an insight into the nature of protein-tannin interactions.

Calorimetry↗
PubMed1999

Interaction of tannin with human salivary histatins.

The ability of all major human salivary histatins to precipitate condensed tannin was demonstrated, and it was found that histatins 3 and 5 share the same condensed tannin-binding region but less tannin bound to histatin 1. The condensed tannin-binding region of histatin 5 includes both the N- and the C-terminal parts, although more tannin binding occurs in the C-terminal region. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) showed similar binding characteristics as condensed tannin, but much less EGCG was precipitated. Pentagalloyl glucose (PGG) was precipitated equally well by histatins 1, 3, and 5 and bound equally well to the N- and C-terminal regions of histatin 5. In contrast to condensed tannin, cleaving histatin 5 into N- and C-terminal fragments increased their ability to precipitate PGG. Together, these results show a number of differences in the nature of interaction of histatins with condensed tannin, EGCG, and PGG. Most of the condensed tannin-protein complexes remained insoluble under conditions similar to those in the stomach and the small intestine, suggesting that histatins may act as a defense against dietary tannin in humans.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of condensed tannins on established populations and on incoming larvae of Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Teladorsagia circumcincta in goats.

The use of tanniferous plants or tannins represents one alternative approach to the control of gastrointestinal parasites in ruminants but most data have been obtained in sheep. The current study was therefore performed in goats with two objectives: firstly, to investigate the effects of condensed tannins (CT) on adult populations of Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Teladorsagia circumcincta; secondly, to examine their effects on the establishment of infective larvae of these two species. In experiment 1, two groups of kids were infected with 6 000 L3 of T. colubriformis and 6 000 L3 of T. circumcincta. After 7 weeks, quebracho extracts were administered per os for 8 days to one group. A comparable group which did not receive tannins was included as the control. The kids were slaughtered on week 11. Parasitological and pathophysiological parameters were measured weekly. Worm counts were assessed and mast cells, globule leukocytes and eosinophils were counted in the abomasal and intestinal mucosae. Tannin administration was associated with a decrease in egg excretion, and a decrease in female fecundity, but with no changes in worm numbers. These changes were associated with an increased number of intestinal mast cells. In experiment 2, 24 goats were used according to a 2 x 2 factorial design, depending on infection and tannin administration. Two groups were either infected with 6 000 L3 of T. colubriformis or T. circumcincta. Within each group, the goats were either drenched or undrenched with tannin extracts. Pathophysiological parameters were measured weekly. Twelve days after the cessation of tannin administration, the goats were slaughtered. Worm counts and female worm fecundity were determined. Tannin consumption was associated with a significant reduction (P < 0.01) of Trichostrongylus populations and a close to significant reduction for Teladorsagia. No effect on fecundity was observed. Our results (1) confirm the consequences of condensed tannins on nematodes in goats as in sheep and (2) indicate divergent effects depending on the parasitic stage exposed to the condensed tannins.

Abomasum↗
PubMed1987

Effects of tannins on the oxidative damage of mouse ocular lens. I. Using the oxidative damage model induced by the xanthine-xanthine oxidase system.

The protective effects of various tannins on ocular lens against the induced oxidative damage were examined. Oxidative damage on mouse lenses was induced by incubating them with xanthine-xanthine oxidase, ADP and Fe3+ (X.XOD system). X.XOD system caused an increase in lipid peroxide of lens membrane and decreases in Na,K-ATPase and GSH reductase activities in the lenses. After pretreatment of lenses with X.XOD system, the lenses were incubated with tannins in the medium containing no X.XOD system and the effects of tannins on biochemical parameters in the lenses were determined. Higher molecular tannins (penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucopyranose and geraniin) decreased the lipid peroxide in the lens and restored GSH content, Na,K-ATPase and GSH reductase activities in the lens to the level comparable to control. However, all of tannins tested restored much insufficiently the cation level (ratio of Na+/K+) in the lens regardless of extents of restoration of Na,K-ATPase level by them. Because it was supposed that tannins might act primarily on the plasma membrane, the effect of tannins on lens plasma membrane was examined using cell free system. Lens was homogenated and separated into membrane pellet and supernatant. When the pellet was treated with X.XOD system, the lipid peroxide in the pellet increased and its Na,K-ATPase activity decreased. In addition, the treated pellet decreased the GSH level and GSH reductase activity in the supernatant, when the pellet was combined with the supernatant. Higher molecular tannins reduced lipid peroxide content in the X.XOD-treated pellet to control level and the pellet in which lipid peroxide content was reduced by tannins caused much less decreases of GSH level and GSH reductase activity in the supernatant. These results suggest that, in intact lens, higher molecular tannins act on plasma membrane to eliminate lipid peroxide produced by the X.XOD system and consequently suppress the decreases in both Na,K-ATPase and GSH reductase activities without their entering inside the cell.

Animals↗
PubMed1962

Cardiotonic action of two tannins.

A tannin isolated from Paullinia pinnata Linn., and tannic acid, have cardiotonic actions on the isolated perfused frog heart. Paullinia tannin is more firmly "fixed" than tannic acid. Tannin solutions contain peroxide, but the cardiotonic action is not dependent on this, since drugs believed to prevent peroxide formation, and sodium pyruvate which destroys peroxides, do not prevent the cardiotonic action. Maximal stimulation by tannin greatly reduces subsequent stimulation by ouabain. If calcium is omitted from the Ringer solution tannins cannot stimulate the heart. In this respect they differ from ouabain. However, the ouabain stimulation can be prevented by prior perfusion with tannin. It is suggested that the antagonism between tannin and ouabain is due to the former preventing ouabain from reaching its receptor sites, and that tannin stimulation is dependent on the formation of a calcium-tannin complex at the heart surface. In the isolated perfused mammalian heart preparation tannins increase diastolic tonus and coronary flow.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Tannin inhibits adenylate cyclase in airway epithelial cells.

Tannin, isolated from cotton bracts extract and implicated in the pathogenesis of byssinosis, inhibits adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) production and Cl- secretion in bovine airway epithelial cells in part by inhibiting adrenergic receptor binding. The purpose of this study was to determine whether tannin affected other parts of the adrenergic-cAMP signal transduction pathway by examining the effect of tannin on guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP)-regulatory pathways (G proteins) and on adenylate cyclase activity. cAMP production in confluent airway epithelial cells was measured in the presence of cholera toxin (100 micrograms/ml), an activator of GS proteins, and forskolin (0.1-1,000 microM), a direct activator of adenylate cyclase. Cholera toxin stimulated cAMP production; this response, however, was inhibited in cells pretreated with 50 micrograms/ml tannin. Forskolin (100 microM) stimulated cAMP production 13-fold above baseline values. Tannin pretreatment inhibited the stimulatory effect of forskolin on cAMP release in a dose-dependent manner with a tannin concentration causing 50% inhibition of 7.5 micrograms/ml. The stimulatory effect of forskolin on cAMP release was completely inhibited in cells pretreated with 50 micrograms/ml tannin. The inhibition was reversible 3 h after removal of tannin from the solution. Tannin also inhibited forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in a dose-dependent, noncompetitive manner. We conclude that forskolin and cholera toxin stimulate cAMP production in airway epithelial cells and that tannin inhibits the production of cAMP in airway epithelial cells by a direct effect on adenylate cyclase activity.

Adenylyl Cyclase Inhibitors↗
PubMed1990

Modulation of inflammatory cell function by cotton bract tannin: changes in the capacity of alveolar macrophages and neutrophils to produce hydrogen peroxide.

Inhalation of cotton mill dust leads to the development of the occupational lung disease byssinosis in a portion of the exposed workers. Condensed tannins present in the dust have biologic activities consistent with the hypothesis that they are one of the etiologic agents for the disease. Inhalation of either cotton dust or tannin provokes an acute inflammatory response characterized by the influx of neutrophils into the airways. The secretion of a low-molecular-weight, lipid neutrophil chemotactic factor from the alveolar macrophages in response to tannin stimulation appears to be important in this inflammatory process. In these studies, the effect of tannin the ability of alveolar macrophages and neutrophils to produce hydrogen peroxide was examined. Low concentrations of tannin itself induced a modest production of hydrogen peroxide from conditioned rabbit alveolar macrophages, while higher concentrations failed to induce peroxide production. In the presence of an independent stimulator of peroxide production (concanavalin A), tannin inhibited peroxide production at all concentrations examined. Aqueous extracts of cotton mill dust (CDE) had an identical effect on peroxide production in a manner that indicated that the tannin present in the dust was responsible for the effect. Like its direct effect on macrophage peroxide production, tannin induced modest peroxide production in human neutrophils. However, unlike its effect on macrophages, tannin enhanced the peroxide production induced by the presence of an independent stimulator (phorbol myristate acetate). CDE had a similar effect on peroxide production, but the dose-response curves suggested that only the high-molecular-weight polymers of tannin present in the CDE were able to enhance peroxide production.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Condensed tannin promotes the release of arachidonic acid from rabbit resident alveolar macrophages.

The condensed tannin present in cotton mill dust profoundly alters the functional capabilities of resident alveolar macrophages. Previous studies from this laboratory have shown that in vitro exposure of rabbit resident alveolar macrophages to condensed tannin significantly inhibits the ability of these cells to produce reactive oxygen intermediates or to ingest particles. In the present study, we demonstrate that condensed tannin also alters arachidonic acid (C20:4) metabolism in these cells. Exposure of rabbit resident alveolar macrophages to condensed tannin results in the time- and dose-dependent release of C20:4 from the membrane phospholipids. The release of C20:4 occurred only at tannin concentrations greater than 25 micrograms/ml and was maximal 90 min after the onset of exposure. The EC50 for release was 75 micrograms/ml. Exposure to 100 micrograms/ml tannin resulted in the release of 20 +/- 3% of the [14C]C20:4 incorporated in the cell membrane. In comparison, exposure to 160 micrograms/ml zymosan resulted in the release of 14 +/- 4% of the [14C]C20:4. For both tannin and zymosan, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol were the principal sources of the released C20:4. Approximately 63% of the C20:4 released after zymosan stimulation was further metabolized, mainly via the cyclooxygenase pathway. The major metabolites were 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha, prostaglandin F2 alpha, and prostaglandin E2. In contrast, only 24% of the C20:4 released by tannin was subsequently further metabolized. The metabolites formed were essentially evenly distributed between products of the cyclooxygenase pathway and the lipoxygenase pathway. Exposure of alveolar macrophages to 50 micrograms/ml tannin for 30 min reduced the ability of the cells to subsequently incorporate C20:4 by 50 to 70%. In contrast, exposure of the cells to 160 mg/ml zymosan for 30 min had only a minimal effect on the subsequent ability of these cells to incorporate C20:4. These results indicate that tannin promotes C20:4 release, at least in part, by inhibiting its reacylation back into phospholipids, a mechanism that differs from that of zymosan.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Prolongation of life span of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) ingesting persimmon tannin.

The effects of persimmon tannin on pathophysiological changes in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) were investigated. When the persimmon tannin was chronically ingested by SHRSP, the life span was significantly prolonged, yet the effect on blood pressure was slight. The incidences of brain hemorrhage and infarction were also significantly decreased by this treatment. To elucidate the mechanisms involved in these events, the effects of condensed tannins, including persimmon tannin, on free radicals and lipid peroxidation were examined in vitro. Using electron spin resonance analysis, we found that these tannins have a potent, concentration-dependent scavenging action toward active oxygen free radicals. These tannins strongly inhibited lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenates, in a concentration-dependent manner. Persimmon tannin inhibited lipid peroxidation similarly to (-)-epigallocatechin. Persimmon tannin was 20 times more effective than alpha-tocopherol in terms of the 50%-inhibitory concentration. The radical scavenging action and inhibition of lipid peroxidation by persimmon tannin may explain, in part, the prolongation of the life span of the SHRSP ingesting persimmon tannin.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Polyethylene glycol as a means for reducing the impact of condensed tannins in carob pulp: effects on lamb growth performance and meat quality.

We conducted an experiment to evaluate the effects that a diet containing condensed tannins with and without polyethylene glycol (PEG) has on lamb growth and meat quality. Twenty-three male Comisana lambs were introduced to the three experimental diets between 45 and 50 d of age. Eight were given a diet containing 56% of Ceratonia siliqua (carob) pulp (tannin group), another eight received the same diet with a supplement of 40 g of PEG for each kilogram of diet (PEG group), and the remaining seven lambs were given a conventional maize-based diet (maize group). Voluntary feed intake and live weights were measured until slaughter at 105 d of age, and digestibility measurements were undertaken toward the end of the feeding trial. Carcass yield, meat quality characteristics, and a taste panel evaluation were conducted. The tannin-based diet contained 2.5% condensed tannins (DM basis), and lambs given this diet had lower growth rates and poorer feed efficiencies (P < .01) compared with the other treatment groups. Daily gain was similar between the maize and PEG lambs, although the efficiency of feed conversion was highest in the maize group. The digestibility of DM, N, and fiber was reduced (P < .05) by the condensed tannins. Lambs fed the tannin diet had a lower carcass yield (P < .05) and had less fat (P < .05), and the meat had a higher ultimate pH (P < .01) than those given the PEG or maize diets. Condensed tannins affected meat color, which was lighter (L*) than meat from lambs given the PEG-containing diet (P < .01). Sensory evaluation showed that panelists preferred meat from lambs receiving PEG and maize treatments compared with those receiving the tannin diet, and this could be related to differences in meat ultimate pH and carcass fatness. These results show that condensed tannins from carob pulp are very detrimental to feed digestibility and lamb performance. Inclusion of 40 g of PEG/kg diet eliminated the effects of condensed tannins so that lamb performance and meat quality were similar to lambs given a maize-based diet.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2002

Polyethylene glycol influences selection of foraging location by sheep consuming quebracho tannin.

Tannins are a heterogeneous group of phenolic polymers that can induce detrimental effects when consumed by herbivores. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) binds to tannins and thus attenuates their negative effects. Our objective was to determine whether sheep actively seek PEG when fed tannins and thus modify their foraging location as a function of the spatial distribution of PEG. Lambs were first trained to recognize the beneficial effects of PEG by offering a meal high in quebracho tannin (QT), which presumably caused malaise, and then PEG (MW, 3,350), which presumably led to recovery from malaise. Animals were then tested in an experimental area where they could forage at two different locations that contained in Trial 1 1) PEG and QT in adjacent food boxes (PEG+QT) or 2) QT and in Trial 2 1) PEG or 2) QT. Preference for foraging locations was tested under three conditions: 1) no preload meal, 2) a meal high in quebracho tannin 1 h before testing, and 3) a basal diet high in quebracho tannin. Lambs spent more time (P = 0.012) and ate more tannin-containing food (P = 0.022) at locations where PEG was present (PEG+QT) than where it was absent (QT; Trial 1). Lambs responded to increased tannins in their bodies (Conditions 2 and 3) by reducing intake (P = 0.0001; Trial 2) at sites containing only QT and by increasing intake (P = 0.0001, Trial 1; P = 0.001, Trial 2) and foraging time (P = 0.072, Trial 1; P = 0.0001, Trial 2) at locations where PEG was available. Thus, PEG influenced foraging location by sheep consuming quebracho tannin. Accordingly, it may be possible to formulate range blocks that enable herbivores to ingest PEG in tannin-rich habitats. Strategic distribution of PEG in those habitats may attract animals to underutilized feeding sites.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2006

Tannin composition affects the oxidative activities of tree leaves.

We examined whether tannin composition plays an important role in explaining the oxidative activities of tree leaves of Acer saccharum (sugar maple) and Quercus rubra (red oak). Sugar maple leaves contained substantial amounts of ellagitannins, condensed tannins, and galloyl glucoses, whereas red oak leaves contained almost exclusively condensed tannins. Oxidative activities of the crude phenolics from both species, and the phenolic fractions from sugar maple, were measured with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrometry and UV-visible spectrophotometry. The two assays produced similar results: (1) sugar maple phenolics produced larger semiquinone radical concentrations,and higher semiquinone decay rates and browning rates than did red oak phenolics; (2) ellagitannin levels were positively associated with the three measures of oxidative activity; and (3) condensed tannin and galloyl glucose levels were negatively associated with these measures. The negative relationship between condensed tannin levels and oxidative activity resulted from the antioxidant effects of condensed tannins on hydrolyzable tannins; several purified condensed tannins significantly decreased the concentrations of semiquinone radicals and browning rates of pedunculagin (an ellagitannin) and pentagalloyl glucose. As expected, whole-leaf extracts from sugar maple produced elevated levels of semiquinone radicals, but none were observed in red oak extracts when the two species were compared with an EPR time-course assay. We conclude that the oxidative activities of tree leaves may be affected by tannin composition, and that the prooxidant activity of ellagitannins may be decreased by co-occurring condensed tannins.

Acer↗
PubMed2003

Increasing the oxidative stress response allows Escherichia coli to overcome inhibitory effects of condensed tannins.

Tannins are plant-derived polyphenols with antimicrobial effects. The mechanism of tannin toxicity towards Escherichia coli was determined by using an extract from Acacia mearnsii (Black wattle) as a source of condensed tannins (proanthocyanidins). E. coli growth was inhibited by tannins only when tannins were exposed to oxygen. Tannins auto-oxidize, and substantial hydrogen peroxide was generated when they were added to aerobic media. The addition of exogenous catalase permitted growth in tannin medium. E. coli mutants that lacked HPI, the major catalase, were especially sensitive to tannins, while oxyR mutants that constitutively overexpress antioxidant enzymes were resistant. A tannin-resistant mutant was isolated in which a promoter-region point mutation increased the level of HPI by 10-fold. Our results indicate that wattle condensed tannins are toxic to E. coli in aerobic medium primarily because they generate H(2)O(2). The oxidative stress response helps E. coli strains to overcome their inhibitory effect.

Acacia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of tannins on digestion and detoxification activity in gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis).

Acorn tannins may affect food preferences and foraging strategies of squirrels through effects on acorn palatability and digestibility and squirrel physiology. Captive eastern gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) were fed 100% red oak (Quercus rubra) or white oak (Quercus alba) acorn diets to determine effects on intake, digestion, and detoxification activity. Red oak acorns had higher phenol and tannin levels, which may explain the lower dry matter intakes and apparent protein digestibilities and the higher glucuronidation activities observed in squirrels. Although the white oak acorn diet had lower apparent protein digestibilities than the reference diet, it did not suppress dry matter intake for a prolonged period or stimulate glucuronidation. Negative physiological effects of a 100% red oak acorn diet suggest gray squirrels may require other foods to dilute tannin intake and provide additional nutrients. To distinguish the roles of different tannin types in the observed effects of acorn diets on squirrels, squirrels were fed rat chow containing no tannins, 4% or 8% tannic acid (hydrolyzable tannin), or 3% or 6% quebracho (condensed tannin). Apparent protein digestibilities were reduced by tannic acid and quebracho diets. Only the 8% tannic acid diet tended to increase glucuronidation. Specific effects of tannins may largely depend on tannin type, composition, and source and on other nutritional and physiological factors.

Animals↗