Tannin Encapsulation for Personalized Product Applications

Effects of dietary tannic acid and quebracho tannin on growth performance and metabolic rates of common carp ( Cyprinus carpio L.)

Aim of study: This study was carried out to determine the surface hardness values of some varnishes applied to the surface of naturally aged wood material.
 Material and methods: Acrylic, polyurethane and water-based varnish was applied to the surface of the experimental samples prepared from naturally aged and fresh Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), sessile oak (Quercus petrea L.) and chestnut (Castanea sativa M.) wood materials. A total of 360 test samples, 10 for each wood type, cutting direction, age period, and varnish type were prepared then the surface hardness values of these samples were determined.
 Main results: As a result of the experiments, the effect of the age period on the surface hardness of the varnish layer was found to be insignificant. The highest surface hardness value in wood material was obtained in the tangential section of oak wood and the difference between oak wood and chestnut wood was statistically insignificant. As a varnish type, the highest surface hardness value was obtained in polyurethane varnish, followed by acrylic varnish and water-based varnish, respectively. In addition, the surface hardness of the varnish layer in the tangential section of the wood material was found to be higher than that of the radial section.
 Highlights: In cases where high surface hardness is required in the varnish layer, polyurethane varnish can be preferred. As a result of the experiments, water-based varnish with a low surface hardness value will be able to give a working performance compatible with wood material with a hygroscopic structure, thanks to its high elasticity. For this reason, wood with a high amount of dimensional change can be used to protect the material against external influences.

Although, the application of tannic acid (TA), gallic acid (GA), natural hydrolysable tannins (HT)-rich ingredients, and HT-rich feeds in ruminant feeding have been explored in order to modify or manipulate microbial activities of digestive tract of animals, the interaction between HT and gastrointestinal microbiota and the fate of HT metabolites (GA, ellagic acid, pyrogallol, resorcinol, phloroglucinol, catechol and urolithin) derived from gastrointestinal microbial HT metabolism in the animal as a whole and animal products are missing. Incomplete biotransformation of HT and TA to GA, pyrogallol, resorcinol, phloroglucinol and other phenolic metabolites is a prevalent phenomenon discovered by researchers who examine the fate of HT metabolites in ruminant. While the rest of fellow researchers do not even examine the fate of HT metabolites and assume the complete biotransformation and fermentation of HT metabolites to volatile fatty acids (VFA). Only three studies have successfully identified the complete biotransformation and fermentation of HT metabolites to VFA in ruminant. The HT metabolites, mostly pyrogallol, produced through incomplete biotransformation of HT have adverse effects on gastrointestinal microbiota and host animal. Lack of awareness regarding the metabolism of HT metabolites and its consequences would compromise ruminant gastrointestinal microbiota, animal welfare, our environment and the power of research papers' findings. In this perspective paper, I will bring to attention a new angle on the biotransformation and fermentation of HT metabolites in gastrointestinal tract, the role of gastrointestinal microbiota and deficiency of current approach in isolating tannin-degrading bacteria from rumen. Also, suggestions for better monitoring and understanding HT metabolisms in ruminant are presented.

ATP-binding cassette(ABC) transporters are one of the largest protein families in organisms, with important effects in regulating plant growth and development, root morphology, transportation of secondary metabolites and resistance of stress. Environmental stress promotes the biosynthesis and accumulation of secondary metabolites, which determines the quality of medicinal plants. Therefore, how to improve the accumulation of secondary metabolites has been a hotspot in studying medicinal plants. Many studies have showed that ABC transporters are extremely related to the transportation and accumulation of secondary metabolites in plants. Recently, with the great development of genomics and transcriptomic sequencing technology, the regulatory mechanisms of ABC transporters on secondary metabolites have attached great attentions in medicinal plants. This paper reviewed the mechanisms of different groups of ABC transporters in transporting secondary metabolites through cell membranes. This paper provided key theoretical basis and technical supports in studying the mechanisms of ABC transporters in medicinal plant, and promoting the accumulation of secondary metabolites, in order to improve the quality of medicinal plants.

Plant growth regulator mediated consequences of secondary metabolites in medicinal plants

SummaryThe alteration of a eubiosis status in honeybees’ gut microbiota is directly linked to the occurrence of diseases, and likely to the honeybees decline. Since fructophilic lactobacilli were suggested as symbionts for honeybees, we mechanistically investigated their behaviour under the exposure to agrochemicals (Roundup, Mediator and Reldan containing glyphosate, imidacloprid and chlorpyrifos‐methyl as active ingredients respectively) and plant secondary metabolites (nicotine and p‐coumaric acid) ingested by honeybees as part of their diet. The effects of exposure to agrochemicals and plant secondary metabolites were assessed both on planktonic cells and sessile communities of three biofilm‐forming strains of Apilactobacillus kunkeei. We identified the high sensitivity of A. kunkeei planktonic cells to Roundup and Reldan, while cells embedded in mature biofilms had increased resistance to the same agrochemicals. However, agrochemicals still exerted a substantial inhibitory/control effect if the exposure was during the preliminary steps of biofilm formation. The level of susceptibility resulted to be strain‐specific. Exopolysaccharides resulted in the main component of extracellular polymeric matrix (ECM) in biofilm, but the exposure to Roundup caused a change in ECM production and composition. Nicotine and p‐coumaric acid had a growth‐promoting effect in sessile communities, although no effect was found on planktonic growth.

Plant secondary metabolites are the byproducts of primary metabolite biosynthesis. Their absence is non-critical for plant survival, as they are not involved in basic life functions. The classes of plant secondary metabolites include terpenes, phenolics, N-containing and S-containing compounds. Often, they render crop plants unsuitable for insect herbivory. Colour, flavour and taste of edible parts of the plant and their nutritional quality are greatly influenced by the plant secondary metabolites. They also play a significant role in human health and nutrition. Genetic engineering is used to desirably modify secondary metabolite production in plants. CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats), a revolutionary genome editing technology, equipped with precision and the ease of manipulation. It is mostly used for imparting resistance in plants to biotic and abiotic stresses, and for enhancing their nutritional quality and yield. For instance, CRISPR technology has been successfully used to enhance β-Carotene content in soybean, cassava, tomato and in rice to alleviate vitamin A deficiency in humans. CRISPR can also be used to down regulate production of human toxic secondary metabolites in crop plants like tobacco. In this chapter, an earnest effort has been made to introduce, classify and describe role and significance of plant secondary metabolites. A brief review on progress made so far in the application of transgenic and RNAi technologies is also provided. CRISPR technology, its types and application for plant secondary metabolites has been elaborated. Considering the recent trends, scope and prospectus of CRISPR technology, it has immense potential for application in plant secondary metabolite research.

Tannin foams are polymeric, porous materials produced from plant tannins, with good thermal insulation and fire-retardant properties. Although research has mainly concentrated on usage of condensed tannins (CTs), interest in a second group, hydrolyzable tannins (HTs), is growing. This study evaluated the usability of glyoxal as a single crosslinker for condensed and hydrolyzable tannins in foams created through mechanical agitation, using various ratios of chestnut (HT) and quebracho (CT) tannins. Glyoxal could react with chestnut tannin, but foams with only chestnut collapsed before hardening due to its slow reactivity, with 70% chestnut as the maximum viable content. Increasing the chestnut tannin amount reduced the foamability and compression strength, resulting in higher density and increased pore size. At a similar density (~210 kg m−3), the 70%-HT foam reached only one-third the compressive strength of the pure CT foam (0.22 vs. 0.61 MPa), while the pure CT foam showed a smaller mean pore size (189 vs. 365 µm) despite its lower mean density (208 vs. 241 kg m−3). The fire resistance and thermal conductivity appeared unaffected by the tannin type and instead depended on the foam density, with thermal conductivities ranging from 56 to 71 mW/(m·K). Leaching tests showed a slight increase in leaching for formulations with higher chestnut tannin contents, with 15% to 24% of acid recovered after the leaching cycle. The 13C-NMR analysis revealed the glyoxal crosslinks at the free position of the A-ring in CTs and at the free ortho ones of the gallic/ellagic moieties in HTs. Overall, this study demonstrated that tannin foams can be produced using glyoxal as a single crosslinker, allowing for up to 70% substitution of the condensed tannin component in the formulation.

Obesity is a global public health problem that results in chronic pathologies such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. The treatment approach based on energy restriction and promotion of physical activity is ineffective in the long term. Due to the high prevalence of this pathology, complementary treatments such as brown adipose tissue activation (BAT) and white adipose tissue browning (WAT) have been proposed. Dietary polyphenols are plant secondary metabolites that can stimulate browning and thermogenesis of adipose tissue. They have also been shown to prevent body weight gain, and decrease systemic inflammation produced by high-fat diets. Ingested dietary polyphenols that reach the colon are metabolized by the gut microbiota (GM), regulating its composition and generating a great array of metabolites. GM is involved in the production of short chain fatty acids and secondary bile salts that regulate energetic metabolism. The alteration in the composition of GM observed in metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes can be attenuated by polyphenols. Recent studies support the hypothesis that GM would mediate WAT browning and BAT thermogenesis activation induced by polyphenol administration. Together, these results indicate that GM in the presence of polyphenols plays a fundamental role in the control of obesity possible through BAT activation.

Dietary Flavonoids from Modified Apple Reduce Inflammation Markers and Modulate Gut Microbiota in Mice1–3

Hydrolysable tannins are natural polyphenols susceptible to hydrolysis that can be extracted from different vegetable plants. Tara pods, of Peruvian origin, concentrate a high tannin content and, besides their low exploitation impact, their tannin extract has shown high potential industrial applications due to their ability to form complexes with a broad variety of metal ions. However, developing an anticorrosive pigment of low-cost, high efficiency and reduced environmental impact is still a challenge. Herein, tannin-rich pigments were synthesized with Tara powder and zinc ions to produce metallic complexes known as tannates for corrosion protection. The anticorrosive behavior of zinc tannates was studied by direct current electrochemical techniques on pigment extracts and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests by analyzing pigmented primers and painting systems. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive analysis were performed to study the protective layers morphology. Results indicated that zinc tannates inhibit satisfactorily steel corrosion overcoming the recognized behaviour of conventional pigments. As part of a painting system, alkyd primers with zinc tannates presented the best inhibitory properties. Zinc tannates could have the necessary requirements to be considered anticorrosive pigments, becoming a green alternative for corrosion prevention. Graphical abstract

This study was conducted to compare the effects of hydrolysable versus condensed tannins on growth performance, nutrient digestion, and rumen fermentation in goats. A total of 27 Liaoning cashmere goats with similar initial body weights were randomly distributed into three groups: a basal diet, a basal diet +0.5% tannic acid (hydrolysable tannin, HT), or a basal diet +0.5% quebracho tannin (condensed tannin, CT), respectively. Compared to the control group, HT showed a decreased (p < 0.05) feed intake, while CT showed an increased (p < 0.05) feed intake and body weight gain. Digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber did not differ (p > 0.05) among groups. The HT group showed lower pH and acetic acid concentration in the rumen (p < 0.05), while the CT group showed a decrease (p < 0.05) in the abundances of Verrucomicrobia and Methanobrevibacter. Supplementation of CT decreased (p < 0.05) the levels of dihydrouracil, xanthosine, alpha-D-mannose, and L-tryptophan, while HT increased (p < 0.05) these metabolites. In conclusion, this study suggested that responses of ruminal microbiota and metabolite profiles to the type of tannins varied, and CT displayed a more positive effect on the growth performance of goats than HT when supplemented at the same level in the diets.

This chapter focuses on phytochemicals, which are secondary plant metabolites that are non-nutritive dietary components (excluding vitamins). Secondary plant metabolites have various functions in the plant, such as serving as a defence against destructive weeds, insects, and micro-organisms, as growth regulators, and as pigments. Chemically, these secondary plant metabolites are quite diverse compounds and are found only in minute amounts, in contrast to the primary plant metabolites. Secondary plant metabolites have potential pharmacological effects on humans, a thought that was already discussed in the 1950s. More recently, nutrition scientists have systematically begun to investigate the health-promoting effects of these plant substances. The chapter then considers the classification and physiological effects of phytochemicals. It also looks at epidemiological evidence for the protective effects of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and phytochemicals.

Plant secondary metabolites are unique sources for pharmaceuticals, food additives, flavors, and industrially important biochemicals. Accumulation of such metabolites often occurs in plants subjected to stresses including various elicitors or signal molecules. Secondary metabolites play a major role in the adaptation of plants to the environment and in overcoming stress conditions. Environmental factors viz. temperature, humidity, light intensity, the supply of water, minerals, and CO2 influence the growth of a plant and secondary metabolite production. Drought, high salinity, and freezing temperatures are environmental conditions that cause adverse effects on the growth of plants and the productivity of crops. Plant cell culture technologies have been effective tools for both studying and producing plant secondary metabolites under in vitro conditions and for plant improvement. This brief review summarizes the influence of different abiotic factors include salt, drought, light, heavy metals, frost etc. on secondary metabolites in plants. The focus of the present review is the influence of abiotic factors on secondary metabolite production and some of important plant pharmaceuticals. Also, we describe the results of in vitro cultures and production of some important secondary metabolites obtained in our laboratory.

This study examined the effects of hydrolysable tannin (HT) supplementation on nutrient intake, milk production and milk somatic cell count in on-farm dairy cows. Fifty-four Holstein Friesian crossbred cows weighing 450 to 500 kg and were subjected to an experiment for 49 days. Dairy cows were divided into 3 groups, which were 1) the control group without HT supplementation and the HT supplementation groups, which received HT products (15 g/day), 2) one contains 3.15 g/day of HT and 3) another contains 6.30 g/day of HT. Hydrolysable tannin was extracted from sweet chestnut wood (Castanea Sativa Mill.). Dairy cows received HT products on the top of concentrate (22 % CP) in the morning after milking. Total mixed ration (TMR), pangola grass (Digitaria eriantha) hay and concentrate were offered according to animal nutrient requirements. The results showed that supplementation of HT has no influence (p &gt; 0.05) on the nutrient intake, milk yield and milk composition when compared to the control group. In addition, the increased levels of HT caused quadratic increases in fat:protein at pre-treatment and treatment periods (p &lt; 0.05; p = 0.06, respectively), while differential somatic cell count (DSCC) at treatment and post-treatment periods showed a quadratic decrease (p &lt; 0.05; p &lt; 0.05, respectively), with supplementation of HT product containing 6.30 g HT/day (p &lt; 0.05) being the lowest. Therefore, it can be concluded that supplementation with HT product does not affect nutrient intake, milk yield, however, it could reduce DSCC and probably improve udder health in on-farm dairy cows.&#x0D; HIGHLIGHTS&#x0D; &#x0D; A quantitative performance comparison of Radio over Free Space Optical links&#x0D; WDM increases the capacity while the MIMO links help to maintain the transmission range&#x0D; A combination of WDM and MIMO RoFSO links is identified to be the best&#x0D;