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Due to their antiketogenic and antioxidant effects, chestnut tannins may offer a viable approach to manage the impaired immune and renal functions in transition cows. This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with chestnut tannins on haematological, biochemical and antioxidant indices, as well as cortisol levels in prepartum dairy cows. Forty multiparous Holstein cows were divided into two homogeneous groups (n = 20): a control (CON), and an experimental group (CNT) receiving 20 g/day of chestnut tannins for the last 25 ± 2 days of pregnancy. Haematological and biochemical indices, cortisol concentration and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) were measured in blood samples collected 25 (day -25) and 5 days (day -5) before the expected parturition. The addition of chestnut tannins exerted no significant effect on red blood cells indices; however, white blood cell (P = 0.02), lymphocyte (P = 0.05) and platelet (P < 0.01) counts were higher, while the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (P = 0.03) was lower on day -5 in the CNT group compared to the CON group. Significantly higher values of T-AOC (P = 0.03) and significantly lower levels of triglycerides (P = 0.03) and gammaglutamyl transferase (P = 0.02) were also found in CNT compared to CON on day -5. The improved haematological profile in CNT cows was accompanied by lower serum creatinine concentration (P = 0.04), while total protein, calcium, phosphorus and cortisol did not differ significantly between CNT and CON cows. These data demonstrate that dietary chestnut tannin supplementation in a closeup diet has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and could potentially mitigate immune suppression and kidney dysfunction near parturition. Further research should be conducted concerning the mechanisms underlying these responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tannins are secondary metabolites and active compounds widely present in plants. Tannins have several properties, such as astringent, antiparasitic, anti-diarrheal, anti-bacterial, and antioxidant. Hence, plants containing tannins are a major study subject for a natural alternative to in-feed antibiotics or antioxidants. The functions of tannin extracted from chestnut wood, namely Saviotan Feed (SF) in poultry, especially in quails, have not yet been fully understood. The current study aimed to examine the effect of SF supplementation on some plasma metabolites, including glucose (GLU), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TCHO) concentration, and yolk cholesterol in quails (Coturnix japonica). A total of 100 unsexed quails were divided into 4 groups, with 25 quails in each group. These quails were then placed into 20 experimental pens, with 5 quails per pen. Each treatment was replicated 5 times, and the quails were fed a commercial rations diet supplemented with different SF doses of 0% (control), 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3%. Quails were provided with SF supplementation from 14 to 56 days of age. A sample of 40 plasma and eggs were randomly collected and analyzed for GLU, TG, and TCHO. The results indicated no significant effects of SF on plasma GLU and TG concentration, but a significant effect was found regarding TCHO. Moreover, supplementation of SF from 0.1 to 0.3% significantly decreased TCHO concentration in the yolk. In conclusion, it has been determined that supplementation of SF may play a significant role in decreasing TCHO in yolk eggs in quails. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quantification of hydrolysable polyphenols such as gallic, ellagic acid and vescalagin by HPLC-DAD is classically run after methanol extraction as a reference solvent. Water extraction is usually discarded because of a lower obtention of total polyphenol content compared to methanol extraction. In our study, methanol was compared to water extraction in both the total polyphenol content method and the HPLC-DAD analysis. Total polyphenol content in water extraction was lower than in methanol extraction, but water extraction gave better results on HPLC-DAD. In conclusion, total polyphenol content cannot be used as reference to choose the solvent of extraction to quantify some polyphenols by HPLC-DAD because of the specific properties of each polyphenol. Indeed, recovery results obtained on hydrolysable polyphenols with water extraction were better and with a lower variability than following methanol extraction.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of supplementation of hydrolyzable tannins (HT) from sweet chestnut wood extract (Castanea sativa Mill.) to the diet of Limousin bulls on growth rate, carcass and meat quality traits, and fecal Clostridia strain levels in a 7-month feeding trial. Thirty-two bulls were randomly assigned to four treatment groups (CON (without addition of HT); TAN 1 (1 g HT kg−1 DM); TAN 2 (1.5 g HT kg−1 DM); and TAN 3 (1.5 g HT kg−1 DM with a nominally lower dose of concentrate). Compared with the CON group, supplementation with HT significantly (p < 0.050) increased bull growth rate during 4–7 months, whereas carcass and meat quality traits were unaffected during the last three months of fattening. Supplementation of HT significantly reduced meat drip loss (p = 0.000) compared with the CON group. No effects were observed on the total number of fecal Clostridia strains; however, the concentration of Clostridiumperfringens was significantly lower (p = 0.004) in TAN 1 than that in the CON group. The results obtained in fattening bulls indicate that the addition of HT is justified in practice to improve growth performance and feed efficiency without adverse effects on the carcass and meat quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated the preventive effects of the oral administration of chestnut tannins (Castanea sativa) together with its potential metabolic effect on calf diarrhoea. Forty Italian Friesian female calves were included and divided into Group C (control group) and Group T (tannin-treated group). From the third day of life (T0) for the following 56 days (T56), calves from Group C received 2 L of warm water, while 10 g of chestnut tannin powder extract were added to Group T. Calves were weighed at birth and at T56. Daily faecal score evaluation was performed according to the literature. The age at diarrhoea onset (TDE) and the duration of the diarrhoeic episode were recorded. Blood methaemoglobin and liver enzymes were evaluated weekly starting from T0 to T56 by spectrophotometer and clinical chemistry analysis, respectively. The t-Student and chi-square tests were performed. The TDE was higher (p = .04) in Group T than in Group C (12.0 ± 8.2 and 7.7 ± 3.8 days, respectively). There were no differences for ADG between the groups. Group C spent 24.4% of the whole period with diarrhoea, whereas Group T experienced diarrhoea for 18.9% of the period (p = .001). All the blood and serum analytes were within physiological values. The administration of tannins in calves from the third day of life seemed to delay the onset of diarrhoea by almost four days, suggesting effective preventive action of chestnut tannins.HIGHLIGHTS The oral administration of chestnut tannins in calves seemed to delay the onset of diarrhoea by almost four days, thus showing a preventive effect. The oral administration of chestnut tannins may lead to a better and shorter recovery of the calf, thus decreasing the use of antibiotics.

The experiment studied the effect of chestnut tannins on growth performance, digestive enzymes, antioxidase and intestinal microflora in Litopenaeus vannamei. 360 juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei with an average body weight of (0.76±0.01) g were selected and randomly divided into four groups, with three replicates in each group and 30 Litopenaeus vannamei in each replicate. The Litopenaeus vannamei were supplemented with 0, 300, 600, 900 mg/kg chestnut tannins in bait. The experiment lasted for 50 d. The results showed that the addition of chestnut tannins with different gradients had no significant effect on growth performance and digestive tract enzyme activity of Litopenaeus vannamei (P>0.05), but TA300 group showed the better growth effect. Compared with TA900 group, the crude lipid in TA300 group and TA900 group were significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with control group, the serum alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase and catalase in TA300 group and TA600 group were significantly decreased (P<0.05). The ACE index in TA300 group was significantly higher than TA600 group (P<0.05). With the addition of chestnut tannins, the proportion of Proteobacteria decreased and the Bacteroidota increased. The experiment indicates that dietary supplementation of 300, 600 and 900 mg/kg chestnut tannin has no significant effect on growth performance and digestive enzyme activities of Litopenaeus vannamei, but reduces the proportion of proteobacteria in intestinal flora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objectives This research aims to study the efficacy of tannins co-supplementation on disease duration, severity and clinical symptoms, microbiota composition and inflammatory mediators in SARS-CoV2 patients. Trial design This is a prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial to evaluate the efficacy of the administration of the dietary supplement ARBOX, a molecular blend of quebracho and chestnut tannins extract and Vit B12, in patients affected by COVID-19. Participants 18 years of age or older, admitted to Hospital de Clinicas Jose de San Martin, Buenos Aires University (Argentina), meeting the definition of "COVID-19 confirmed case" ( https://www.argentina.gob.ar/salud/coronavirus-COVID-19/definicion-de-caso ). Inclusion Criteria Participants are eligible to be included in the study if the following criteria apply: 1. Any gender 2. ≥18 years old 3. Informed consent for participation in the study 4. Virological diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection (real-time PCR) Exclusion Criteria Participants are excluded from the study if any of the following criteria apply: 1. Pregnant and lactating patients 2. Patients who cannot take oral therapy (with severe cognitive decline, assisted ventilation, or impaired consciousness) 3. Hypersensitivity to polyphenols 4. Patients already in ICU or requiring mechanical ventilation 5. Patients already enrolled in other clinical trials 6. Decline of consent Intervention and comparator Experimental: TREATED ARM Participants will receive a supply of 28 -- 390 mg ARBOX capsules for 14 days. Patients will be supplemented with 2 capsules of ARBOX per day. Placebo Comparator: CONTROL ARM Participants will receive placebo supply for 14 days. The placebo will be administered with the identical dose as described for the test product. All trial participants will receive standard therapy, which includes: Antipyretics or Lopinavir / Ritonavir, Azithromycin and Hydroxychloroquine, as appropriate (treatment currently recommended by the department of Infectious Diseases of the Hospital de Clínicas that could undergo to modifications). In addition, if necessary: supplemental O2, non-invasive ventilation, antibiotic therapy. Main outcomes Primary Outcome Measures: Time to hospital discharge, defined as the time from first dose of ARBOX to hospital discharge [ Time Frame: Throughout the Study (Day 0 to Day 28) ] Secondary Outcome Measures: 28-day all-cause mortality [ Time Frame: Throughout the Study (Day 0 to Day 28) ]-proportion Invasive ventilation on day 28 [ Time Frame: Throughout the Study (Day 0 to Day 28) ]-proportion Level of inflammation parameters and cytokines [ Time Frame: day 1-14 ] -mean difference Difference in fecal intestinal microbiota composition and intestinal permeability [ Time Frame: day 1-14 ] Negativization of COVID-PCR at day 14 [ Time Frame: day 14 ]-proportion Randomization Potential study participants were screened for eligibility 24 hours prior to study randomization. Patients were randomly assigned via computer-generated random numbering (1:1) to receive standard treatment coupled with tannin or standard treatment plus placebo (control group). Blinding (masking) Study personnel and participants are blinded to the treatment allocation, as both ARBOX and placebo were packed in identical containers. Thus, all the used capsules had identical appearance. Numbers to be randomized (sample size) Considering an alpha error of 5%, a power of 80% a sample size of 70 patients per branch was estimated. 140 patients in total. Trial Status The protocol version is number V2, dated May 23, 2020. The first patient, first visit was on June 12, 2020; the recruitment end date was October 6, 2020. The protocol was not submitted earlier because the enrollment of some patients took place after the closure of the recruitment on the clinicaltrials platform. In fact, due to the epidemiological conditions, due to the decrease of the cases in Argentina during the summer period, the recruitment stopped t before reaching the number of 140 patients (as indicated in the webpage). However, since there was a new increase in cases, the enrolment was resumed in order to reach the number of patients initially planned in the protocol. The final participant was recruited on February 14, 2021. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, number: NCT04403646 , registered on May 27th, 2020. Full protocol The full protocol is attached as an additional file, accessible from the Trials website (Additional file 1). In the interest in expediting dissemination of this material, the familiar formatting has been eliminated; this Letter serves as a summary of the key elements of the full protocol.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of supplementation of hydrolyzable tannins (HT) from sweet chestnut wood extract (Castanea sativa Mill.) to the diet of Limousin bulls on growth rate, carcass and meat quality traits, and fecal Clostridia strain levels in a 7-month feeding trial. Thirty-two bulls were randomly assigned to four treatment groups (CON (without addition of HT); TAN 1 (1 g HT kg−1 DM); TAN 2 (1.5 g HT kg−1 DM); and TAN 3 (1.5 g HT kg−1 DM with a nominally lower dose of concentrate). Compared with the CON group, supplementation with HT significantly (p < 0.050) increased bull growth rate during 4–7 months, whereas carcass and meat quality traits were unaffected during the last three months of fattening. Supplementation of HT significantly reduced meat drip loss (p = 0.000) compared with the CON group. No effects were observed on the total number of fecal Clostridia strains; however, the concentration of Clostridiumperfringens was significantly lower (p = 0.004) in TAN 1 than that in the CON group. The results obtained in fattening bulls indicate that the addition of HT is justified in practice to improve growth performance and feed efficiency without adverse effects on the carcass and meat quality.

We evaluated the preventive effects of the oral administration of chestnut tannins (Castanea sativa) together with its potential metabolic effect on calf diarrhoea. Forty Italian Friesian female calves were included and divided into Group C (control group) and Group T (tannin-treated group). From the third day of life (T0) for the following 56 days (T56), calves from Group C received 2 L of warm water, while 10 g of chestnut tannin powder extract were added to Group T. Calves were weighed at birth and at T56. Daily faecal score evaluation was performed according to the literature. The age at diarrhoea onset (TDE) and the duration of the diarrhoeic episode were recorded. Blood methaemoglobin and liver enzymes were evaluated weekly starting from T0 to T56 by spectrophotometer and clinical chemistry analysis, respectively. The t-Student and chi-square tests were performed. The TDE was higher (p =.04) in Group T than in Group C (12.0 ± 8.2 and 7.7 ± 3.8 days, respectively). There were no differences for ADG between the groups. Group C spent 24.4% of the whole period with diarrhoea, whereas Group T experienced diarrhoea for 18.9% of the period (p =.001). All the blood and serum analytes were within physiological values. The administration of tannins in calves from the third day of life seemed to delay the onset of diarrhoea by almost four days, suggesting effective preventive action of chestnut tannins. The oral administration of chestnut tannins in calves seemed to delay the onset of diarrhoea by almost four days, thus showing a preventive effect. The oral administration of chestnut tannins may lead to a better and shorter recovery of the calf, thus decreasing the use of antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Neonatal calf diarrhea is generally caused by infectious agents and is a very common disease in bovine practice, leading to substantial economic losses. Tannins are known for their astringent and anti-inflammatory properties in the gastro-enteric tract. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the oral administration of chestnut tannins (Castanea sativa Mill.) in order to reduce the duration of calf neonatal diarrhea. Twenty-four Italian Friesian calves affected by neonatal diarrhea were included. The duration of the diarrheic episode (DDE) was recorded and the animals were divided into a control group (C), which received Effydral® in 2 l of warm water, and a tannin-treated group (T), which received Effydral® in 2 l of warm water plus 10 g of extract of chestnut tannins powder. A Mann-Whitney test was performed to verify differences for the DDE values between the two groups. Results The DDE was significantly higher in group C than in group T (p = 0.02), resulting in 10.1 ± 3.2 and 6.6 ± 3.8 days, respectively. Conclusions Phytotherapic treatments for various diseases have become more common both in human and in veterinary medicine, in order to reduce the presence of antibiotic molecules in the food chain and in the environment. Administration of tannins in calves with diarrhea seemed to shorten the DDE in T by almost 4 days compared to C, suggesting an effective astringent action of chestnut tannins in the calf, as already reported in humans. The use of chestnut tannins in calves could represent an effective, low-impact treatment for neonatal diarrhea.

Objectives: This research aims to study the efficacy of tannins co-supplementation on disease duration, severity and clinical symptoms, microbiota composition and inflammatory mediators in SARS-CoV2 patients.Trial Design: This is a prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial to evaluate the efficacy of the administration of the dietary supplement ARBOX, a molecular blend of quebracho and chestnut tannins extract and Vit B12, in patients affected by COVID-19.Participants: 18 years of age or older, admitted to Hospital de Clinicas Jose de San Martin, Buenos Aires University (Argentina), meeting the definition of "COVID-19 confirmed case" ( https://www.argentina.gob.ar/salud/coronavirus-COVID-19/definicion-de-caso ). Inclusion Criteria Participants are eligible to be included in the study if the following criteria apply: 1. Any gender 2. ≥18 years old 3. Informed consent for participation in the study 4. Virological diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection (real-time PCR) Exclusion Criteria Participants are excluded from the study if any of the following criteria apply: 1. Pregnant and lactating patients 2. Patients who cannot take oral therapy (with severe cognitive decline, assisted ventilation, or impaired consciousness) 3. Hypersensitivity to polyphenols 4. Patients already in ICU or requiring mechanical ventilation 5. Patients already enrolled in other clinical trials 6. Decline of consent INTERVENTION AND COMPARATOR: Experimental: TREATED ARM Participants will receive a supply of 28 -- 390 mg ARBOX capsules for 14 days. Patients will be supplemented with 2 capsules of ARBOX per day. Placebo Comparator: CONTROL ARM Participants will receive placebo supply for 14 days. The placebo will be administered with the identical dose as described for the test product. All trial participants will receive standard therapy, which includes: Antipyretics or Lopinavir / Ritonavir, Azithromycin and Hydroxychloroquine, as appropriate (treatment currently recommended by the department of Infectious Diseases of the Hospital de Clínicas that could undergo to modifications). In addition, if necessary: supplemental O2, non-invasive ventilation, antibiotic therapy.Main Outcomes: Primary Outcome Measures: Time to hospital discharge, defined as the time from first dose of ARBOX to hospital discharge [ Time Frame: Throughout the Study (Day 0 to Day 28) ] Secondary Outcome Measures: 28-day all-cause mortality [ Time Frame: Throughout the Study (Day 0 to Day 28) ]-proportion Invasive ventilation on day 28 [ Time Frame: Throughout the Study (Day 0 to Day 28) ]-proportion Level of inflammation parameters and cytokines [ Time Frame: day 1-14 ] -mean difference Difference in fecal intestinal microbiota composition and intestinal permeability [ Time Frame: day 1-14 ] Negativization of COVID-PCR at day 14 [ Time Frame: day 14 ]-proportion RANDOMIZATION: Potential study participants were screened for eligibility 24 hours prior to study randomization. Patients were randomly assigned via computer-generated random numbering (1:1) to receive standard treatment coupled with tannin or standard treatment plus placebo (control group).Blinding (masking): Study personnel and participants are blinded to the treatment allocation, as both ARBOX and placebo were packed in identical containers. Thus, all the used capsules had identical appearance.Numbers To Be Randomized (sample Size): Considering an alpha error of 5%, a power of 80% a sample size of 70 patients per branch was estimated. 140 patients in total.Trial Status: The protocol version is number V2, dated May 23, 2020. The first patient, first visit was on June 12, 2020; the recruitment end date was October 6, 2020. The protocol was not submitted earlier because the enrollment of some patients took place after the closure of the recruitment on the clinicaltrials platform. In fact, due to the epidemiological conditions, due to the decrease of the cases in Argentina during the summer period, the recruitment stopped t before reaching the number of 140 patients (as indicated in the webpage). However, since there was a new increase in cases, the enrolment was resumed in order to reach the number of patients initially planned in the protocol. The final participant was recruited on February 14, 2021.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, number: NCT04403646 , registered on May 27th, 2020.Full Protocol: The full protocol is attached as an additional file, accessible from the Trials website (Additional file 1). In the interest in expediting dissemination of this material, the familiar formatting has been eliminated; this Letter serves as a summary of the key elements of the full protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chestnut tannins (CNT), as a source of hydrolyzable tannins, positively affect the antioxidant status of livestock. In the current study, 90 male Hu lambs were used to investigate the effect of dietary CNT intake on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, meat quality and oxidative stability, rumen microbial, and the transcriptomes of muscle and liver. A completely randomized design with three CNT intake levels (0, 0.3%, and 0.6%) was used. Rumen microbial and nutrient digestibility were not significantly altered by CNT intake. Diets with 0.3% CNT intake significantly reduced the shear force, yellowness at 24 h, and C20:2 polyunsaturated fatty acids of lamb meat and malondialdehyde in serum and longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle. Meanwhile, the 0.3% CNT diet significantly increased average daily gain during the 1– 21 days and 64– 90 days, dry matter intake during the 1– 21 days, the slaughter weight, and liver index of lambs. The 0.3% CNT diet significantly increased C26:0 saturated fatty acids, total antioxidant capacity, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase in LT muscle. The meat shelf life of 0.3% CNT and 0.6% CNT groups was prolonged by 8.7 h and 5.4 h, respectively. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that CNT supplementation can induce the expression of antioxidant enzyme gene (CAT , SOD1), and the differentially expressed genes were mainly involved in antioxidant activity, transferase activity, and adenosine triphosphate binding. These results suggest that 0.3% CNT intake can relieve the oxidative stress of lambs, and improve the stability of meat color and meat tenderness, due to the enhanced antioxidative capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on the bioavailability, serum levels, and absorption of hydrolyzable tannin compounds are lacking. In this study, we performed a pharmacokinetic trial, measured the serum levels of compounds in broilers that were reared with different feed added or not with tannins, and tested the digestibility of tannins throughout the intestinal tract. Only gallic acid and 4- O -methyl gallic acid were found in the serum. Moreover, gallic acid showed a 41.8% absolute oral bioavailability and a 72.3% relative bioavailability of gallic acid from chestnut extract compared to the standard. The rapid metabolization caused alternating serum levels during the day and night. These patterns were not affected by the feed type or the previous addition of tannins in the feed. The absorption and metabolization in the intestines occurred gradually throughout the intestinal tract. The latter was true for gallic acid as well as ellagic acid, which was not found in the serum. We can conclude that components from chestnut tannins are absorbed throughout all components of the intestinal tract and are eliminated quickly with little interaction from the feed and previous addition of tannins. Moreover, ellagic acid seems to be absorbed but would remain accumulated in the intestinal tissue or be metabolized by the microbiome.

Wood modification treatments based on lactic acid oligomers (OLA) and monomers (LA) enhance beech dimensional stability (up to 70%) and biological resistance (less than 3% weight loss according to EN113). Chestnut wood tannins natural biological activity might improve the modified wood durability with milder curing conditions. Treatment consisted of the impregnation of monomers or oligomers mixtures followed by curing (140 °C/160 °C for 48h). Tannins addition is almost inconsequential with oligomeric-based treatment but improved the monomeric-based treatment. In this case, modified wood biological resistance and product persistence were increased. OLA impregnated wood cured at 160 °C was always the best performing treatment regarding dimensional stability and durability, but the addition of tannins in LA systems conferred promising properties to wood allowing simplification of the modification process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of chestnut tannins (CT) on intestinal morphology, barrier function, pro‐inflammatory cytokine expression, microflora and antioxidant capacity in heat‐stressed broilers. Four hundred 28‐day‐old male Ross 308 broilers were randomly assigned into four groups, with 10 replicates per group and 10 broilers per replicate. The broilers in the normal (NOR) group were kept at 22 ± 1°C and fed the basal diet, and each of the other three groups were treated with cyclic heat (33 ± 1°C from 0800 to 1800 and 22 ± 1°C from 1800 to 0800) and fed the basal diet with 0 (HT), 1 (CT1) or 2 (CT2) g of CT/kg of diet. The experiment lasted for 14 days. Compared with the HT group, broilers in the NOR and CT2 groups had higher (p < .05) average daily gain and villus height in the jejunum and lower serum d‐lactate (p < .001) and diamine oxidase (p < .01) levels. The addition of 2 g CT/kg of diet increased the total antioxidant capacity (p < .001) and superoxide dismutase activities (p < .05) and zonula occludens‐1 mRNA expression level (p < .05) and decreased the malondialdehyde concentration (p < .01) and mRNA expression levels of interleukin‐6 (p < .001) and nuclear factor kappa B (p < .001) in the jejunal mucosa of heat‐stressed broilers. The populations of Escherichia coli and Clostridium in the jejunum (p < .01) and caecum (p < .05) of broilers in the HT group were higher than those in the NOR and CT2 groups. In conclusion, the addition of 2 g CT/kg of diet seemed to be a feasible means of alleviating the negative effects of heat stress on the growth performance and intestinal function of broilers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quantification of hydrolysable polyphenols such as gallic, ellagic acid and vescalagin by HPLC-DAD is classically run after methanol extraction as a reference solvent. Water extraction is usually discarded because of a lower obtention of total polyphenol content compared to methanol extraction. In our study, methanol was compared to water extraction in both the total polyphenol content method and the HPLC-DAD analysis. Total polyphenol content in water extraction was lower than in methanol extraction, but water extraction gave better results on HPLC-DAD. In conclusion, total polyphenol content cannot be used as reference to choose the solvent of extraction to quantify some polyphenols by HPLC-DAD because of the specific properties of each polyphenol. Indeed, recovery results obtained on hydrolysable polyphenols with water extraction were better and with a lower variability than following methanol extraction., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2023 Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of chestnut tannins (CT) on the meat quality, welfare and antioxidant status of heat-stressed lambs. Lambs in one group were raised at 20 °C and fed a basal diet (N), and three other groups (32 °C) were fed a basal diet with 0 (CT0), 5 (CT5), and 10 g (CT10) of CT/kg. Addition of CT increased the b * and L * values of meat and superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity in the serum and liver of heat-stressed lambs. The malondialdehyde concentration in meat, serum, and liver of heat-stressed lambs was decreased by dietary CT supplementation. Lambs in the CT0 group had higher cortisol, T 3 , and T 4 levels, creatine kinase activity, white blood cell count, neutrophil count, neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio and a lower lymphocyte count than that in the N and CT10 groups. In conclusion, the addition of CT improved meat quality, certain stress parameters, and the antioxidant status of heat-stressed lambs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tannins are bioactive compounds able to interfere with protein and lipid metabolism in the rumen, by forming undegradable complexes with dietary proteins and by modulating several bacterial activities, including the biohydrogenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The aim of this trial was to study the effect of dietary supplementation with chestnut hydrolysable tannin extract on ewes milk yield and quality. Ninety-six multiparous Sarda ewes in their mid-lactation phase were allotted to two homogeneous groups (control group, C group; group fed concentrate supplemented with chestnut tannin extract, CHE group), each of 48 animals, for a feeding trial. Animals of both groups grazed 8 h per day on the same pasture based on a mixture of Lolium multiflorum, Avena sativa and Trifolium repens (1:1:1). The two diets differed only in their concentrate supplement. The control group received 450 g/head per day of a concentrate feed without chestnut tannin extract, whereas the CHE group received 500 g/head per day of a concentrate feed formulated with the same ingredients of the control concentrate plus 80.0 g/kg DM of chestnut tannin extract. The amounts of concentrate offered to the animals of both groups were calculated in order to obtain isoproteic and isoenergetic dietary treatments considering the expected DM intake of animals. The inclusion of chestnut tannin in the concentrate resulted in a greater production of milk (+18.64%; P < 0.001). Moreover, no differences in casein fraction profile between milks from both groups were found while the casein index was greater ( P = 0.034) in milk from ewes fed CHE than milk from ewes fed C. As regard fatty acid composition, milk from CHE group had a greater concentration of omega-3 fatty acids if compared to milk from C group (alpha-linolenic acid: 2.18 vs 2.57 g/100 g of total lipids in C and CHE group, respectively), whereas the percentage of CLA and of C18:1 trans 11 in milk fat from CHE group was smaller (CLA: 2.20 vs 1.85 g/100 g of total lipids, in C and CHE group, respectively with P = 0.001; C18:1 trans 11: 3.89 vs 3.57 g/100 g of total lipids in C and CHE group, respectively with P = 0.001). The use of practical doses of CHT in the diet of grazing ewes may improve the response to dietary linseed supplementation, resulting in milk with a greater concentration of alpha-linolenic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the experiments was to determine the effect of tannin-rich sweet chestnut wood extract (SCWE) supplementation on the performance, balance and utilisation of organic matter, crude ash, protein, calcium and phosphorus, dry matter content of excreta and intestinal viscosity in broilers. Two parallel experiments were performed. In experiment 1 (Exp. 1), a total of 30 23-day-old Ross 308 chickens were caged individually in balance cages which allowed a quantitative collection of excreta. In experiment 2 (Exp. 2), growth performance, feed intake, dry matter content in chicken excreta and intestinal viscosity were studied. Seventy-two, 21-day-old Ross 308 chickens were caged individually in battery cages. Feed consumption was measured weekly. The dry matter content in the chicken excreta was measured on the 4th, 6th and 11th days of the experiment. At the end of the experiment, the animals were killed by cervical dislocation and their gastrointestinal contents analysed for intestinal viscosity. The experimental groups in both experiments were: Control (no supplement), Tannin 1 (0.07% SCWE), Tannin 2 (0.2% SCWE). The results of Exp. 1 showed no statistical differences between the groups in the balance of nutrients observed. Supplementation of 0.2% SCWE significantly increased the crude ash balance and utilisation. Tannin supplementation did not influence the chicken performance and dry matter content of excreta in Exp. 1. The supplementation of 0.2% SCWE (Exp. 2) after 6 days of feeding statistically affected the dry matter content in the excreta in the Tannin 2 group (14%). After 11 days of the experiment, we also found that supplementation of tannins at both concentrations significantly increased the excreta dry matter content (13% and 15%, respectively). We also did not find an influence of SCWE supplementation on intestinal viscosity. It may be concluded that the supplementation of tannin-rich SCWE extract at 0.07% and 0.2% levels did not have anti-nutritive effects since no negative effects on broiler performance or the organic matter, crude protein, crude ash, calcium and phosphorus balance and utilisation were observed. On the other hand, the administration of a sweet chestnut wood extract significantly increased the dry matter content of excreta, which might be an important factor to use SCWE. Due to lack of detailed information on the mode of action and on the effects of SCWE on various health parameters further studies and information would be of great interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A study was conducted to evaluate the influence of chestnut tannins (CT) on welfare, carcass characteristics, meat quality, and lipid oxidation in rabbits under high ambient temperature. Rabbits in one group were raised at 20°C and fed with basal diet (N) and other three groups (33°C) were fed basal diet with 0 (C), 5 (CT5), and 10g (CT10) of CT/kg of diet. Compared with the C group, rabbits in CT10 had higher pH24 and lower cooking loss and thiobarbituric acid reacting substance values at 0, 30, and 60min of forced oxidation. Rabbits in C group had higher cortisol levels, creatine kinase activities, white blood cell counts, neutrophil percentage, neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio and lower T3, T4 levels, lymphocyte percentage than N and CT10 groups. Supplementation of CT seemed to have a positive effect on growth performance, welfare, and meat quality of rabbits under high ambient temperature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The study was conducted to determine the effects of the inclusion of a natural extract of chestnut wood (Silvafeed ENC), rich in tannins, in the diet on growth performance and antioxidant status in growing rabbits under high ambient temperature (35°C). A total of 120 New Zealand male rabbits (average body weight 1123±13.5g, 40d old) were divided into three groups (40 rabbits per group) and fed a basal diet or the basal diet with 5 or 10g of ENC/kg of diet (C, ENC5 and ENC10, respectively). Rabbits had free access to diets and water in an environmentally controlled room at 35°C and 55% relative humidity during the entire period (21d). On d 7, 14 and 21 of the trial, body weight and feed intake were measured and blood samples collected for assay of antioxidant indices. Liver tissue samples were collected on d 21 for assay of antioxidant indices. Results showed that ENC supplementation increased (P<0.05) average daily gain (ADG) in the first week of the trial. Compared with the control group, the ENC5 reduced (P<0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR) and the ENC10 increased (P<0.05) average daily feed intake (ADFI). From d 8 to 14 of the trial, the ENC5 increased (P<0.05) ADG and reduced (P<0.05) FCR. In the last week, the ENC10 group showed a higher (P<0.05) ADG and lower (P<0.05) FCR than the control group. Compared with the control group, ADFI was reduced (P<0.01) by ENC5 treatment. For the overall period, ENC supplementation had a positive effect (P<0.05) on ADG and FCR. The final body weight of the ENC5 group was higher (P<0.05) than the control group. Furthermore, on d 7, the inclusion of ENC increased (P<0.05) superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced (P<0.01) malondialdehyde (MDA). The rabbits fed ENC5 had significantly (P<0.05) lower cortisol and higher (P<0.05) total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) than the control group. On d 14, addition of ENC increased T-AOC (P<0.01) and reduced MDA (P<0.01). The ENC5 group showed lower (P<0.05) cortisol and higher (P<0.05) GSH-Px than the control group. On d 21, the rabbits in ENC-treated groups had higher (P<0.01) GSH-Px activities than rabbits in the control group. The rabbits fed with the ENC10 diet had higher (P<0.05) SOD compared with the control rabbits. In contrast, the opposite was true for cortisol (P<0.05) and MDA (P<0.05). On d 21, MDA was lower (P<0.01) with dietary ENC than without ENC in liver tissue. Hepatic GSH-Px activity of rabbits fed with the ENC10 diet was higher (P<0.05) than that of the control group. ENC supplementation seemed to have a positive influence on the growth performance and antioxidant status of growing rabbits under high ambient temperature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Seventy two male Bianca Italiana rabbits were used to study the effects of the inclusion (0%, 0.5%, and 1.0%) of a natural extract of chestnut wood (Silvafeed ENC) in the diet on productive traits, carcass characteristics, meat quality, lipid oxidation and fatty acid composition of rabbit meat. Results showed ENC had no significant effect on live weight, productive traits, hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, skin weight, pH, cooking losses, shear force and colour. The iron content was higher in Longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) muscle of rabbit fed the ENC 1.0% diet than the control group. TBARS average values in the group ENC 0.5% were significantly lower (P <0.05) than in the control and ENC 1.0% groups. Myristic acid (C14:0; P <0.01), palmitoleic acid (C16:1 cis-9; P <0.05) and pentadecanoic acid (C15:0; P <0.01) contents were lower in LTL muscle of rabbits fed the ENC 1.0% diet, whereas the palmitic acid (C16:0) content was higher (P <0.05) in the rabbits of this group. Moreover, the rabbits fed with the ENC 0.5% diet had lower (P <0.01) levels of trans-vaccenic acid (C18:1 trans-11) compared to rabbits fed with the control diet. No significant differences were observed in saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acids, as well as in PUFA/SFA and n −6/n −3 ratios among the groups. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]