Abstract
BackgroundThe presence of condensed tannins (CT) in tree fodders entails a series of productive, health and ecological benefits for ruminant nutrition. Current wet analytical methods employed for full CT characterisation are time and resource-consuming, thus limiting its applicability for silvopastoral systems. The development of quick, safe and robust analytical techniques to monitor CT’s full profile is crucial to suitably understand CT variability and biological activity, which would help to develop efficient evidence-based decision-making to maximise CT-derived benefits. The present study investigates the suitability of Fourier-transformed mid-infrared spectroscopy (MIR: 4000–550 cm−1) combined with multivariate analysis to determine CT concentration and structure (mean degree of polymerization—mDP, procyanidins:prodelphidins ratio—PC:PD and cis:trans ratio) in oak, field maple and goat willow foliage, using HCl:Butanol:Acetone:Iron (HBAI) and thiolysis-HPLC as reference methods.ResultsThe MIR spectra obtained were explored firstly using Principal Component Analysis, whereas multivariate calibration models were developed based on partial least-squares regression. MIR showed an excellent prediction capacity for the determination of PC:PD [coefficient of determination for prediction (R2P) = 0.96; ratio of prediction to deviation (RPD) = 5.26, range error ratio (RER) = 14.1] and cis:trans ratio (R2P = 0.95; RPD = 4.24; RER = 13.3); modest for CT quantification (HBAI: R2P = 0.92; RPD = 3.71; RER = 13.1; Thiolysis: R2P = 0.88; RPD = 2.80; RER = 11.5); and weak for mDP (R2P = 0.66; RPD = 1.86; RER = 7.16).ConclusionsMIR combined with chemometrics allowed to characterize the full CT profile of tree foliage rapidly, which would help to assess better plant ecology variability and to improve the nutritional management of ruminant livestock.
Highlights
The presence of condensed tannins (CT) in tree fodders entails a series of productive, health and ecological benefits for ruminant nutrition
Oak (Quercus spp.), field maple (Acer camprestre) and willow (Salix spp.) are local tree species in Britain and Ireland with great potential to include in silvopastoral systems, among other benefits, due to their content in condensed tannins (CTs)
The present study demonstrates the possibility of quickly obtaining a full CT profile of the dried tree foliage with a high level of robustness and precision in relation to the reference methods employed
Summary
The presence of condensed tannins (CT) in tree fodders entails a series of productive, health and ecological benefits for ruminant nutrition. The present study investigates the suitability of Fourier-transformed mid-infrared spectroscopy (MIR: 4000–550 cm−1) combined with multivariate analysis to determine CT concentration and structure (mean degree of polymerization— mDP, procyanidins:prodelphidins ratio—PC:PD and cis:trans ratio) in oak, field maple and goat willow foliage, using HCl:Butanol:Acetone:Iron (HBAI) and thiolysis-HPLC as reference methods. The tree foliage, consisting of leaves and twigs, can be offered to the ruminants either by direct browsing, chopping fresh or Ortuño et al Plant Methods (2021) 17:14 after preservation by drying or ensiling, representing a nutritional supplement during certain seasons. Oak (Quercus spp.), field maple (Acer camprestre) and willow (Salix spp.) are local tree species in Britain and Ireland with great potential to include in silvopastoral systems, among other benefits, due to their content in condensed tannins (CTs). The reduction of bloat incidence, antiparasitic properties, improvement of nitrogen utilization and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions are the main properties that highlight the interest of livestock producers in these bioactive compounds; CTs may be considered as antinutritional factors, especially when high concentrations are present in the plant material [3]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
