Abstract
Abstract: The objective of this work was to characterize condensed tannins (CT) from six tropical forage legumes and to determine their biological activity. The monomers propelargonidin, prodelphinidin and procyanidin were analyzed, as well as extractable condensed tannin (ECT), protein-bound CT (PBCT) and fiber-bound CT (FBCT), molecular weight, degree of polymerization, polydispersity index, and biological activity by protein precipitate by phenols (PPP) of leaves of the legumes Cajanus cajan, Gliricidia sepium, Stylosanthes capitata x Stylosanthes macrocephala (stylo), Flemingia macrophylla, Cratylia argentea, and Mimosa caesalpiniifolia, and of the bark of this latter species. Differences were observed in the concentrations of ECT, PBCT, PPP, and total condensed tannin among species, but not in that of FBCT. The highest value of PBCT occurred in F. macrophylla. Total CT varied from nondetected concentration in C. argentea to the highest concentration in M. caesalpiniifolia leaves that contain the greatest levels of PPP. No differences were observed for polymerization degree in stylo, F. macrophylla, and M. caesalpiniifolia. Leaves of stylo, C. cajan, and G. sepium, all containing between 20 and 50 g kg-1 total CT, should be beneficial CT sources, if offered as sole feeds in ruminant diets. The ratio of prodelphinidin:procyanidin varies from 10:80 (stylo) to 65:35 (F. machrophylla), and propelargonidin is only determined in C. argentea.
Highlights
The shortage of great quality forage and livestock feed resources is a limitation for ruminant production in some developing countries
The TCT concentration ranged from nondetected ones (C. argentea) to 124 g kg-1 in M. caesalpiniifolia leaves, which was greater than the TCT concentration found in the other legumes and in M. caesalpiniifolia bark (p
Concentrations of extractable condensed tannin, protein-bound condensed tannin, total condensed tannin, and protein precipitate by phenols differ among species, but no differences are found for fiber-bound condensed tannin in among the six studied forage legumes
Summary
The shortage of great quality forage and livestock feed resources is a limitation for ruminant production in some developing countries. The greatest effect of low palatability legumes often occurs in transition from rainy to dry seasons when environmental conditions for grass growth and quality limit ruminant intake. Acceptability of tropical forage legumes is often related to the presence of secondary metabolic compounds such as tannins, saponins, terpenes and lignin, compounds designated as “anti-nutritional factors” when they reduce the consumption or feed nutritional value (Nepomuceno et al, 2013). They interfere with digestibility, nutrient uptake or utilization, and, if ingested in high concentrations, can harm ruminant health (Lamy et al, 2011)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
