The influence of primary compounds (energy, protein, minerals, and vitamins) in animal nutrition and foraging behavior has been studied for years. The roles of secondary compounds (terpenes, alkaloids, and phenolic compounds) are equally important, yet they have been ignored until recently. Where secondary compounds were once considered toxic by-products of plant metabolism, we now know they are actively involved in plant and animal behavior, health, and productivity. Though often appreciated historically for their negative impacts on food intake and animal production, we are becoming increasingly aware of their beneficial roles in the health of plants, animals, and humans. When animals can ingest an array of plants that contain different kinds and amounts of secondary compounds, they can mix different foods in their diet to better use both primary and secondary compounds, enhancing their health and production, as well as economic and ecological characteristics of landscapes. Endophyte-infected tall fescue contains the alkaloids perlolidine, perloline, ergotamine, and ergovaline, which are all steroidal or protein-like in nature. Tannins and saponins have a high affinity for binding proteins and lipids in the gastro-intestinal tract of animals, and facilitating their excretion from the body. These findings suggest animals may increase their use of forages with alkaloids when they are also provided forages that contain tannins or saponins. The sequence in which forages with different secondary compounds are ingested may influence any potential interactions because different compounds have different residence times in the gastrointestinal tract. I tested the hypothesis that cattle and sheep foraging behavior is influenced by eating different combinations of forages containing secondary compounds in different sequences. In pen and pasture trials, I showed that 1) cattle grazing pastures of endophyte-infected tall fescue (TF) grazed more often on TF when first allowed to graze legumes containing either tannins or saponins, and they grazed TF much more when they first grazed legumes as opposed to the reverse sequence; 2) sheep fed basal diets high in the alkaloid ergotamine d tartrate (EDT) ate more when supplemented with food containing either tannins or saponins, but in contrast to the trials on pasture with cattle, their behavior was not dramatically influenced by sequence; 3) cattle fed fresh cut endophyte-infected tall fescue were not influenced by the addition of tannin to their drinking water, as tannins limited both water and forage intake; 4) sheep fed food containing EDT ate more when supplemented with food containing tannins or when given a choice of foods containing tannins or saponins, than sheep supplemented with food containing saponins or no additional secondary compound. Results from these studies suggest that secondary compounds interact with one another to influence foraging behavior, and that sequence of food ingestion can be influential when animals graze on pastures.

This thesis considers the fruit of the tara tree (Caesalpinia spinosa) as a sustainable source for tanning agents and proposes alternatives to the commercial mineral salts and vegetable extracts to comply with an increasing demand that concerns lower carbon footprint and health safety. Taxonomy of the tree is described and the substances contained in the fruit are chemically characterized in order to justify that tara farm forestry is economically viable and to secure a potential worth. The value chain is fully described from fruit collection in remote Andean regions to the export for the most important leather markets. Although tara tannins have been used in the leather industry and its properties being well known, the experimental part of the work aims to optimize innovative formulations using tara as wet-white pre-tanning agent. Combinations with a selected syntan used for wet white and final article recipes are proposed / Esta tesis considera el fruto del árbol de tara (Caesalpinia spinosa) como fuente sostenible de taninos para la curtición del cuero y propone alternativas para las sales minerales y los extractos vegetales como respuesta a la creciente demanda para reducir el impacto medioambiental y la seguridad de los artículos de consumo. Se describe la taxonomía del árbol así como la caracterización de su fruto para justificar la silvicultura como práctica económicamente viable y asegurar su valor y la cadena desde la recolección de los frutos en las regiones andinas hasta la exportación a los mercados más importantes de la industria del cuero. Aunque los taninos de la tara ya se usan para la fabricación de cueros desde épocas remotas y sus propiedades están reconocidas, la sección experimental de este trabajo se orienta a optimizar fórmulas innovadoras utilizando la tara como agente de curtido wet-white. Se proponen fórmulas para artículos finales.

Le comportement alimentaire des primates varie en fonction de la disponibilité des ressources donc des saisons, et du choix de l'animal, facteur lié à des paramètres individuels. Les aliments consommés sont choisis en fonction de leur chimie (présence de nutriments, de composés toxiques...), et c'est le système gustatif qui permet de faire le lien entre un primate et les aliments qu'il consomme. Les tannins, toxiques à forte dose, sont les composés secondaires des plantes les plus répandus. Le Lemur catta, primate emblématique de Madagascar y est confronté dans son milieu naturel. <br />L'étude de lémurs catta captifs, confrontés à des plantes de climat tempéré riches en tannins (chênes, saules, ronces) montre qu'ils consomment spontanément des tannins dont le goût est perçu comme répulsif (dès 0,1 g/L pour l'acide tannique, seuil déterminé par le « two-bottle test »). Les quantités de tannins consommés et la concentration en tannins du régime varient en fonction des saisons alors que la perception du goût de l'acide tannique ne varie pas. Par contre, les différences individuelles de consommation de tannins sont expliquées par les différences de perception gustative : les animaux les plus sensibles aux tannins en sont les plus gros consommateurs.<br />La consommation de terre observée quasi-quotidiennement (principalement le matin, souvent à jeun) est corrélée avec celle de plantes à tannins, la géophagie serait alors un moyen de protection utilisé par les lémurs catta, les argiles ayant la capacité d'adsorber les tannins. Les tannins condensés consommés pourraient jouer un rôle dans la diminution avec le temps du parasitisme des individus. La semi-liberté associée à un accès à des plantes variées apporte de nombreux avantages aux lémuriens captifs car elle leur permet de diversifier leur alimentation et d'avoir accès à certaines activités pratiquées par les lémuriens sauvages.

Thesis (doctoral)--Universität Hohenheim, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 162-179).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Institute of Paper Chemistry, 1940. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 132-136).

This study was conducted to determine the effects of different levels of dietary tannin on the physiology of Boer goats. In particular, dietary intake, digestibility, gastrointestinal tract (GIT) histology and presence of bacteria along the GIT were measured. In addition the ability of goats to detoxify tannins by measuring liver and kidney mass; and urinary glucuronic acid concentration was investigated. Commercialized tannin was used because of wide variation of tannin levels, which can be affected by season, species, and part of the plant. Thirty adult, male goats were fed one of five diet treatments of different tannin levels (0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) for 6 weeks following which they were kept in metabolic crates for data collection for a further 10 days. Dietary intake of feed decreased significantly as tannin levels increased between the diets. Digestibility of dry matter (DM) tended to decrease with increasing tannin levels. However, digestibility of crude proteins (CP), organic matter, neutral detergent fibre and acid neutral detergent fibre decreased Significantly with increasing tannin levels. Faecal CP increased while urinary CP decreased with increasing tannin levels. There was no tannin present in the faeces. It appears that goats cope with low levels of tannin ingestion. There appears to be a threshold above which greater tannin ingestion has detrimental effects. The linear decreased dietary intake with increased tannin level may indicate that goats limit their intake of tannin below some threshold as a defence strategy. Differences in the histopathology of the oesophagus, reticulum, rumen, abomasum and duodenum were evaluated. Animals on the control diet had more protozoa present in the GIT than the other diets. Number and types of bacteria observed in the reticulum and rumen increased with tannin level in the diet. These may be responsible for tannin-protein complex degradation. Few bacteria were observed in the abomasum. There was a loss of epithelial cells and erosion of microvilli in duodenum with increased tannin levels, which would impair absorption of nutrients. The width of the keratinized GIT epithelial layer increased and villi height decreased as tannin levels increased which could further reduce nutrient absorption. Goats in the present study did not show detoxification abilities because the liver and kidney masses, and urinary glucuronic acid concentration did not increase with increased dietary tannin levels In summary, condensed tannins as large compounds appear to be metabolized and absorbed from the GIT. However, it is not clear if they are detoxified at the epithelial mucosa interface. The main detrimental effect of tannin on goats appears to be the reduction of feed intake and increased faecal CP. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2001.

Nematode parasites have become the biggest problem for small ruminant production in South Africa due to their resistance to the commercial anthelmintics. Notable, wattle tannin has been used as an alternative strategy for control. However, the concentration and the frequencies can likely influence its effect on the parasites control. The objective of this study was to determine the degree of pasture infestation and nematode infection in sheep and goats, as well as investigate nematode resistance to the anthelmintics, and the potential of wattle tannin in nematode control. The first study dealt with the epidemiology of internal parasites. Eight Merino ewes and eight Nguni does averaged 7-18 months of age were observed for 1 year during the months of February 2008 to January 2009 at the University of KwaZulu-Natal Research Farm (Ukulinga). Egg count per gram (EPG) and coccidian oocysts per gram (OPG) were counted according to Mc Master Technique (Hansen & Perry, 1994) by magnifying parasitic eggs from monthly rectal faecal samples dissolved in saturated sodium chloride. Faecal samples also were cultured for 15 days to identify infective nematode larvae (L3) using Baermann technique. Herbage samples were collected monthly from four paddocks as well to count L3 on the pasture. Sheep live weight was also recorded monthly. Seasonal effects was significant (P<0.05) on the EPG, OPG, faecal culture L3 and pasture L3. A higher level of infection was observed in summer (wet) than in winter (dry season). Trichostrongylus spp larvae were the most prevalent larvae (26.5%) while Strongyloides, Haemonchus contortus, Nematodirus and Cooperia spp occurred in the faecal culture by percentage of 20.9%, 16%, 16% and 14.5%, respectively. For parasite resistance, Ivermectin 1% (IVM), Closantel 5% (CST) and a combination of Abamectin 0.08% and Praziquantel 1.5% (CPA) were evaluated. Twenty four sheep (12 females and 12 males) aged between 7-18 months were used for 21 days. Animals were naturally infested by gastro-intestinal parasites. EPG and faecal culture L3 were counted on day 0, 7, 14 and 21. Closantel was the most effective. Haemonchus spp. were least affected whilst Trichostrongylus spp. were the most affected by all drugs. In the third study, wattle tannins were evaluated as an alternative nematode control drug. Three experiments (Exp.) were conducted to determine the effect of tannin concentration (Exp.1 and 2) and frequency (Exp.3) on nematode parasites. In Exp.1, 0, 0.8, 1.6 and 2.4 g tannin/kg BW were drenched for three consecutive days per sheep (16 females and 8 males, aged 8-9 months) for 21 day. In Exp.2, 30 sheep (14 males and 16 females, aged 9-18 months) were randomly allocated into three tannin treatments (0, 0.8 and 1.6 g tannin/kg BW) and drenched for a day. In Exp.3, 26 sheep (11 males and 15 females aged 9-18 months) were divided into three groups of 9, 9, and 8 sheep each. These groups were drenched with 1.6 g tannins/kg BW/day; once, twice or thrice for the 3 groups respectively. For the three experiments, EPG and L3 larvae were counted in individual feacal samples. For all tannin treatments, EPG decreased (P<0.05) over time. Though the differences among tannin levels and frequencies varied (P<0.05) over time, EPG consistently decreased with increasing tannin level and frequency. Thus 1.6 and 2.4 g tannin /kg BW for 3 consecutive days had nearly similar effects on the EPG. The results of this study are rather inconclusive that weather conditions such as rainfall had a direct effect on internal parasites development. Nematode parasites at Ukulinga Research Farm were resistant to the commercial anthelmintics used. Drenching with 1.6g wattle tannin/kg BW over three successive days is enough to reduce EPG and reduce the degree of pasture contamination. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2010.

Tikslas: įvertinti pelkinių vingiorykščių (Filipendula ulmaria L.) cheminę sudėtį ir antimikrobinį poveikį. Uždaviniai: nustatyti tinkamiausią ekstrakcijos metodą ir optimalias ekstrakcijos sąlygas; įvertinti flavonoidų, askorbo rūgšties ir raugų kiekybinės sudėties kitimo dinamiką augalo vegetacijos metu; įvertinti vaistinės augalinės žaliavos antimikrobinį poveikį prieš devynias mikroorganizmų kultūras; nustatyti vaistinės augalinės žaliavos antiradikalinio aktyvumo priklausomybę nuo augalo vegetacijos tarpsnio ir nustatyti, ar yra priklausomybė tarp flavonoidų, raugų ir askorbo rūgšties kiekio vaistinėje augalinėje žaliavoje ir antiradikalinio jos poveikio. Ekstrakcijai pasirinkta maceracija ultragarsinėje vonelėje, kaip ekstrahentą naudojant 70 proc. V/V etanolį. Suminiam flavonoidų kiekiui nustatyti taikytas spektrofotometrinis suminio flavonoidų kiekio įvertinimo metodas. Suminiam raugų kiekiui ir askorbo rūgšties kiekiui nustatyti taikyti farmakopėjiniai titrimetrijos metodai. Antimikrobinis poveikis įvertintas liejant skirtingas tirštųjų ekstraktų koncentracijas į agarą ir stebint mikrooroganizmų augimą, o antiradikalinis aktyvumas nustatytas taikant ABTS radikalo surišimo metodą. Didžiausias suminis flavonoidų kiekis aptiktas augalo masinio žydėjimo metu. Pirmojoje fenologinio vystymosi pusėje askorbo rūgšties kiekis buvo didesnis už vidutinį per visą vaistinio augalo vegetacijos laikotarpį (>0,025 proc.). Suminio raugų kiekio maksimumas pasiektas prieš pelkinių... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Objective: To assess chemical composition and biological effects of meadosweet (Filipendula ulmaria L.) Objectives: To determine the most suitable extraction method and the optimum extraction conditions; evaluation of quantitative composition dynamics of flavonoids, tannins and ascorbic acid during the growing season; antimicrobial effects evaluation of herbal ingredients against nine microbial cultures; evaluate dependence antiradical activity on the growing stage of the plant and to determine whether there is a relationship between quantity of flavonoids, tannins and ascorbic acid in the herbal raw material and its antiradical effect. The maceration by ultrasonic bath using 70 %. V / V ethanol was selected for extraction . For total flavonoids determination the spectrophotometric method was applied for total flavonoid content. For total tannin content and content of ascorbic the pharmacopoeial titration methods were applied. The antimicrobial effects were evaluated by infusing different concentrations of extractives to agar and observing microorganisms growth. The antiradical activity determined using the ABTS radical scavaning method. The highest total flavonoid content was found in massive flowering period. In the first half of the phenological development ascorbic acid content was higher than the average of the entire period of growing (> 0.025 %.). The peak of total tannin content was reached before massive flowering stage of meadowsweet (16.80 %). The ethanol... [to full text]

Bibliography: leaves 189-205. / xi, 205 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / The aim of this PhD project is to screen feral goat rumen fluid for the presence of new organisms that may play a role in the detoxification of tannins and to investigate their mechanisms of action. An enrichment experiment is conducted to screen rumen fluid for anaerobic bacteria capable of growing in the presence of high levels of "Acacia" condensed tannin. Four morphologically-distinct bacteria are isolated, confirming that resistance is a property shared by more than one organism. One isolate is chosen at random for further characterisation and is identified as a strain of "Selenomonas ruminantium" subspecies "ruminantium". It is arbitrarily designated strain K2. "Selenomonas ruminantium" K2 is shown to be not only tannin-resistant but also able to grow on tannic acid. It is proposed that this bacterium obtained energy for growth from tannic acid. The thesis examines the molecular mechanisms controlling tannin resistance or tannin degradation in rumen microorganisms. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Animal Science, 1997

Bibliography: leaves 189-205. / xi, 205 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / The aim of this PhD project is to screen feral goat rumen fluid for the presence of new organisms that may play a role in the detoxification of tannins and to investigate their mechanisms of action. An enrichment experiment is conducted to screen rumen fluid for anaerobic bacteria capable of growing in the presence of high levels of "Acacia" condensed tannin. Four morphologically-distinct bacteria are isolated, confirming that resistance is a property shared by more than one organism. One isolate is chosen at random for further characterisation and is identified as a strain of "Selenomonas ruminantium" subspecies "ruminantium". It is arbitrarily designated strain K2. "Selenomonas ruminantium" K2 is shown to be not only tannin-resistant but also able to grow on tannic acid. It is proposed that this bacterium obtained energy for growth from tannic acid. The thesis examines the molecular mechanisms controlling tannin resistance or tannin degradation in rumen microorganisms. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Animal Science, 1997