Tannins are polyphenolic compounds which precipitate, or conjugate, with proteins to make them indigestible. Tannins appear to confer anti-herbivore defense in shrub live oak (Quercus turbinella), a common browse in the interior chaparral of Central Arizona. The results of the present study indicate that the rumen microflora in goats can adapt to tannin rich diets thereby increasing in vitro dry matter digestibility of shrub live oak leaves. Major digestion inhibitors of shrub live oak appear to be fiber content (NDF, ADF, and lignin) and presence of condensed tannins in the leaves. In vitro dry matter digestibility of oak leaves appears to be higher in rumen microflora from goats than in rumen microflora from cows, although further research is needed to determine digestive efficiency among these species.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:arizona.edu/oai:arizona.openrepository.com:10150/278019 |
| Date | January 1991 |
| Creators | Bederski, Hans Jurgen, 1966- |
| Contributors | Rice, Richard W. |
| Publisher | The University of Arizona. |
| Source Sets | University of Arizona |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text, Thesis-Reproduction (electronic) |
| Rights | Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. |
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