Tannins

Tannins are polyphenolic compounds that are broadly categorized into two major groups: (1) hydrolyzable tannins, consisting of a central core of carbohydrate to which phenolic carboxylic acids are bound by ester linkage (Fig. 1) ; and (2) condensed tannins, or proanthocyanidins, consisting of oligomers of two or more flavan-3-ols, such as catechin, epicatechin, or the corresponding gallocatechin (Fig. 2) . Tannins have a very high affinity for proteins and form protein-tannin complexes. The ingestion of a plant containing condensed tannins decreases nutrient utilization, protein being affected to a great extent, and decreases feed intake. On the other hand, hydrolyzable tannins are potentially toxic to animals. Consumption of feeds containing high levels of hydrolyzable tannins cause liver and kidney toxicity and lead to death of animals. Oak and yellow wood poisonings are attributed to hydrolyzable tannins (1) .