In vitro effects of and interactions between tannins and saponins and fate of tannins in the rumen

The rate of fermentation of hay was not affected by purified tannins from Ouercus incana and Dichostachys cinerea at 0.13 mg ml^?1 of the in vitro medium whereas a decrease of 4% in the rate was observed for Acioa barteri tannins at this level. At 0.23 mg and 0.47 mg of tannins per ml, the decrease in rate varied from 4 to 13% and 13 to 20%, respectively. The decrease in in vitro true digestibility of dry matter was 3, 6 and 7% for Q incana, D cinerea and A barteri, respectively, at a tannin concentration of 0.47 mg ml^?1, and 17, 21 and 27%, respectively, at 0.93 mg ml^?1. There was no change in the potential extent of digestion up to 0.47 mg ml^?1 for any of the tannins studied. These results suggested that the rate of digestion is affected to a greater extent than the potential extent of digestion or the in vitro true digestibility and that different tannins even at the same level have different degrees of effect. Tannin-saponin interactions were studied using tannic acid (TA), quebracho tannin (QT) and quillaja saponin (S) at different concentrations (0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 mg ml^?1) alone and in combination with each other. The decrease in the rate of digestion and true digestibility was additive when both the TA and the S were present. Similar results were obtained when TA was replaced by QT except that the effects with QT were more marked as compared to TA at the same concentration. Saponins had little effect on the potential extent of digestion and true digestibility. These tannins also decreased the production of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) and their molar proportions (acetate decreased whereas propionate increased). Efficiency of microbial protein synthesis, expressed as the ratio of ¹⁵N incorporation per unit of SCFA production, was higher with both S and the tannins studied. A substantial amount (71–93%) of tannins soluble in aqueous acetone was released from leaves of some trees and shrubs on incubation in the in vitro medium for 48 h. The rumen liquor was not capable of degrading oligomeric condensed tannins.     

Degradation of condensed tannins by rumen microbes exposed to quebracho tannins (QT) in rumen simulation technique (RUSITEC) and effects of QT on fermentative processes in the RUSITEC

In an earlier study it was observed that the rumen microbes from cattle which had never consumed tannin-containing diets do not have enzymes for degrading condensed tannins. In this study, rumen microbes were exposed to small amounts of quebracho tannins for 8 days using a rumen simulation technique (RUSITEC). The levels maintained in the RUSITEC were 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mg of the spray-dried quebracho powder (SDQT) per ml of the medium. After 8 days of tannin exposure, the liquor containing ‘exposed/adapted’ microbes from RUSITEC was incubated for 40 h without and with purified tannins of quebracho and Dichostachys cinerea leaves in in vitro gas method. There was no degradation of condensed tannins. The enzymes for degradation of condensed tannins were not induced in rumen microbes by exposure to different concentrations of tannins for 8 days in the RUSITEC. In the RUSITEC, SDQT significantly reduced the number of total protozoa, entodiniomorphs and holotrichs; effect was higher on holotrichs. There was no significant change in the levels of short chain fatty acid but the molar proportion of propionate was significantly higher and of butyrate significantly lower at 0.4 mg SDQT ml^?1. Significantly lower levels of ammonia in the medium was also observed on injection of tannins. Microbial mass production, calculated using ¹⁵N incorporation, was similar at 0.1 and 0.2 mg SDQT ml^?1 but significantly lower (13%) at 0.4 mg SDQT ml^?1. The dry matter digestibility of the feed (80% hay and 20% barley) was not significantly affected by SDQT.     

Modelling the Bulk Cooling of Alfalfa Pellets

Cooling of alfalfa pellets after being made is one o f the unit operations in the pelleting of alfalfa. Using the thermal properties and drying diffusion coeficient together with other properties reported in refereed journals. a combined heat and mass transfer model was developed for the cooling of alfalfa pellets in deep beds. The model utilized the distributed heat and mass transfer equations to describe the temperature and moisture of the pellets. The distributed model interacts with the cooling air through a convective boundary condition for the temperature and a time-varying exponential surface condition for the moisture. Coupling o f the heat and mass transfer processes was carried out at the surface of the pellet using evaporative surface condition. The model was validated with field experimental data from a double-deck crossflow cooler. The simulated pellet and air temperatures were within 5⁰C of the collected field data while predicted moisture from the model was within 0.3% o f the experimental data.     

Acacia saligna as a fodder tree for desert livestock and the interaction of its tannins with fibre fractions

Acacia saligna was examined as potential fodder for sheep (27.4 kg) and goats (14.8 kg) raised in arid and semi-arid areas. This leguminous tree remains green all year and can be grown in deserts using only runoff water. Phyllodes collected in March had a crude protein content of 12.5% dry matter (DM) and high tannin content (tannins as tannic acid equivalent to 11.3% and condensed tannins as leucocyanidin equivalent to 8.3% DM). DM intake was low, amounting to 0.80% and 1.05% body mass daily for sheep and goats, respectively. Sheep lost 227 g day^?1 and goats 196 g day^?1 while on this diet. Dry matter, organic matter and energy digestibilities were low in both species but were higher for goats than for sheep, and negative digestibilities were measured for acid detergent fibre (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL). Metabolisable energy intake for goats was 121.9 kJ kg^?0.75 day^?1 and for sheep was 78.6 kJ kg^?0.75 day^?1. Apparent N digestibility was 17.5% and 0.9% for goats and sheep, respectively, and both species were in negative N balance of 0.25–0.30 g kg^?0.75 day^?1. Total water intake and output were higher in sheep than in goats. Extractable tannins were virtually absent in faeces in both species, however, output of condensed tannins and protein in the ADF and ADL fractions were substantially higher. This showed the presence of tannin-protein complexes in these fractions which explained the negative digestibilities of ADF and ADL. It was concluded that Acacia saligna could not be used as a sole dietary source for small ruminants because of low intake and negative nitrogen balance. This was due mainly to the high tannin content. However, the tree might have a potential as a supplementary fodder due to its high crude protein content.     

Amino acid composition,antinutrients and allergens in the peanut protein fraction obtained by an aqueous enzymatic process

Enzyme-assisted aqueous extraction (EAE) of peanut kernel was used to extract oil and protein. The aqueous fraction (AF) obtained by EAE had a better essential amino acid profile than the residues obtained by solvent extraction (Rs) and cold pressing (Rc). No major difference in the trypsin inhibitor activity among AF, Rs and Rc was observed; however, the trypsin inhibitor activity was drastically reduced in the residue obtained after EAE. AF was subjected to MALDI-TOF/MS, revealing it to be rich in peptides (107) with molecular masses from m/z 700 to 2369 Da. AF had an extremely low phytate content and was rich in peptides, which could be used as a food supplement. ESI-MS/MS data were used for the identification of major peanut allergens, viz., Ara h1, h3, h6–8. Their allergenic potential needs to be established.     

Non-starch polysaccharides and their role in fish nutrition – A review

The success and sustainability of aquaculture depends on minimising the operational cost of feed that in general comprises 50–60% of the total cost in intensive farming. The major feed ingredient, fish meal, is expensive and there is increasing competition with other livestock industries for the available static supply of fish meal. Hence, the incorporation of plant-derived materials in fish feeds is receiving increasing attention. One of the main constraints in the utilisation of plant ingredients in aquaculture is the presence of indigestible carbohydrates, which consist primarily of non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs). These form a part of the cell wall structure of cereals and legumes. The presence of NSPs in the diet interferes with feed utilisation and adversely affects performance of the animal. Supplementation of NSP-degrading enzymes in feed mitigates the adverse effects of NSPs. The effects of NSPs in pigs and poultry have been widely studied; however little information exists for fish. This review synthesizes the available information on fish and highlights the knowledge gaps. It is hoped that this review will provide a momentum to the research on the roles of NSPs in fish nutrition and physiology and on the efficient use of NSP-degrading enzymes.     

Protein concentrate from Jatropha curcas screw‐pressed seed cake and toxic and antinutritional factors in protein concentrate

BACKGROUND: Jatropha curcas seeds are highly toxic to livestock. The presence of phorbol esters and antinutrients such as trypsin inhibitor, lectin and phytate and the high level of shells in the seed cake prevent its use in animal diets. Using the principle of isoelectric precipitation, the conditions for preparation of the protein concentrate from oil‐containing seed cake and defatted seed cake were optimised and the contents of phorbol esters and antinutrients were determined. RESULTS: The recovery of protein concentrate was highest when the proteins from the seed cakes were solubilised at pH 11 for 1 h at 60 °C and the precipitation of these proteins was done by lowering the pH to 4. Under these conditions, over 53% of the total proteins present in the seed cakes were recovered in the protein concentrates. The protein contents in the protein concentrates obtained from the oil‐containing seed cake and defatted seed cake were 760 and 820 g kg^?1 respectively. Substantial amounts of phorbol esters were present in the protein concentrates (0.86–1.48 mg g^?1). Trypsin inhibitor was present at an approximately tenfold higher level in the protein concentrates than in the seed cakes. Lectin and phytate were also present at high levels, but their levels were lower than in the seed cakes. Tannins were present in negligible amounts. CONCLUSION: To make the protein concentrate from Jatropha seed cake fit for use as an ingredient in livestock feed, phorbol esters must be removed and trypsin inhibitor and lectin inactivated by heat treatment. The adverse effects of phytate could be mitigated by addition of phytase in the diet. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Changes in tannin content,polymerisation and protein precipitation capacity in oak (Quercus incana) leaves with maturity

Changes in the content of total phenolics, condensed tannins, proanthocyanidins and flavan-4-ols, the degree of polymerisation, the protein precipitation capacity, the protein-precipitable phenolic content and the specific activity (protein: tannin in the complex) were determined in Quercus incana leaves with maturity. Total phenolic content and protein precipitation capacity decreased whereas the levels of condensed tannins, proanthocyanidins, flavan-4-ols and degree of polymerisation increased with maturation. The protein-precipitable phenolic content was highest in young leaves and decreased as leaves matured. The specific activity decreased slightly. The results suggest that young leaves would be more toxic to livestock than mature leaves.     

Kinetics of urea hydrolysis and binding of ammonia to wheat straw during ammoniation by urea

Chaffed wheat straw treated with urea (5% wt/wt) alone or with rumen liquor, a source of urease (EC 3.5.1.5), was stored in polythene bags at 4, 22, and 37 degrees C up to 60 d. Moisture concentration was adjusted to 40%. Urea remaining in the straw and ammonia concentrations in the bags were measured on 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 25, 40 and 60 d. Urea hydrolysis increased exponentially with time. Hydrolysis of urea was highest at 22 degrees C followed by 37 and 4 degrees C. Addition of rumen liquor substantially increased rate of urea hydrolysis at all temperatures studied, suggesting that treatment time can be reduced by addition of rumen liquor. Rates of ammonia binding at different temperatures were in the order 22 degrees C greater than 37 degrees C greater than 4 degrees C. No hydrolysis of urea was observed up to 7 d of storage at 22 and 37 degrees C when straw was autoclaved and the treatment was carried out under aseptic conditions.     

Long-term follow-up of a high risk cohort after stent implantation in saphenous vein grafts

OBJECTIVES: We sought to provide short- and long-term clinical outcomes of a high risk cohort treated with stents in saphenous vein grafts (SVGs). BACKGROUND: Data on the long-term outcome of SVG stenting in high risk patients are limited. METHODS: Johnson & Johnson stents were implanted in the SVGs of 186 patients (302 stents, 244 lesions). Ninety percent of patients presented with myocardial infarction (MI) or unstable angina (mean +/- SD ejection fraction [EF] 44 +/- 11%, patient age 71 +/- 9 years, graft age 9.4 +/- 5 years). Using a risk score classification, 155 patients (83%) were defined as high risk for repeat surgical repair or angioplasty. RESULTS: The procedural success rate was 97.3%, with 2.7% major complications (death, Q wave MI, coronary artery bypass graft surgery [CABG]). Clinical follow-up was obtained in 177 patients (mean 19.1 +/- 13.5 months, range 7 to 59). Event rates were 10% for death; 9% for MI; 11% for repeat CABG; and 15% for repeat angioplasty (total events 45%). Kaplan-Meier estimated survival and event-free survival at 4 years were 0.79 +/- 0.06 and 0.29 +/- 0.07, respectively. Predictors of death were congestive heart failure (p < 0.01) and EF <44% (p < 0.05). Predictors of combined events of death, MI and CABG were low EF (p < 0.01) and high SVG age (>10 years, p < 0.01). There were 66 revascularization procedures (35% of patients), 24% of which were in nontarget lesions. Fifty-three percent of the cardiac events occurred during the first year of follow-up. Of the 160 survivors, 36% were free of angina, 49% were in Canadian Cardiovascular Society functional class I or II, and 15% were in class III or IV. Sixty-nine percent of patients were in class I or II according to the Specific Activity Scale, and 31% of patients were in class III or IV. CONCLUSIONS: Balloon-expandable stent implantation in the SVGs of high risk patients is associated with a low early complication rate. Expected survival rates are good, as are the anginal and functional classifications, but there is a high rate of recurrent events and need for repeat revascularization. Vein graft stenting is an acceptable palliative option in many high risk patients.