Stimulatory effects of tannins and cholic acid on tryptic hydrolysis of proteins: ecological implications

The biochemical basis for considering tannins as digestion inhibitors has been reexamined. Both stimulatory and inhibitory effects of tannins on tryptic hydrolysis are reported. We show how stimulation may result from tannin-induced structural changes in the substrate protein, effectively denaturing...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of chemical ecology 1985-09, Vol.11 (9), p.1323-1332
Main Authors: Mole, S, Waterman, P.G
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
ACIDE BILIAIRE
ACIDOS BILIARES
BILE ACIDS
Biological and medical sciences
COMPOSICION
COMPOSITION
DEFENSE
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
General aspects
HERBIVORE
HERBIVORES
HERBIVOROS
PLANT PROTEINS
PROTEINAS VEGETALES
PROTEINE VEGETALE
TANINOS
TANNIN
TANNINS
Vertebrates: digestive system
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Summary:The biochemical basis for considering tannins as digestion inhibitors has been reexamined. Both stimulatory and inhibitory effects of tannins on tryptic hydrolysis are reported. We show how stimulation may result from tannin-induced structural changes in the substrate protein, effectively denaturing it. The surfactant and bile constituent cholic acid also produced similar stimulatory effects. These results have considerable implications for normal digestive physiology as well as for the impact of tannins on argicultural and natural herbivore populations.
ISSN:0098-0331
1573-1561
DOI:10.1007/BF01024119