New perspectives on the Degradation of Plant Biomass in the Rumen in the Absence and Presence of Condensed Tannins

摘要

This paper considers some positive and negative aspects of tannins on the degradation characteristics and nutritive quality of tanniniferous forages intended for use as feeds for ruminants. The paper presents some new ideas and evidence for the role of plant proteases in the degradation of plant proteins in grazing ruminants. consideration is also given to the possible interaction between proteases, proteins and condensed tannins in plants during their ingestion and digestion in the rumen.