The effect of some tannins on trout erythrocytes exposed to oxidative stress

In order to gain more knowledge on the role of tannins as antioxidants, their ability to protect (Salmo irideus) erythrocytes against oxidative stress was investigated. Antioxidant activity of different tannins (tannic, gallic and ellagic acid) was evaluated by chemiluminescence (CL) techniques using lucigenin and luminol as chemiluminogenic probes for the superoxide radical generated by the xanthine/xanthine oxidase system and hydrogen peroxide, respectively. The superoxide-scavenging activity of these tannins was shown for all the compounds; however, it is not clear if this is due to their ability of scavenging the superoxide radical or to their inhibitory activity on xanthine oxidase. Tannic and ellagic acid showed a marked effect on the reduction of H2O2-luminol chemiluminescence. The influence of these tannins on the rate of hemolysis in stressed trout erythrocytes was investigated and the results indicate that tannic acid accelerates the hemolytic event while gallic and ellagic acid have no significant effect. The possible protective action of these compounds against oxidative DNA damage was assessed using the comet assay, a rapid and sensitive single-cell gel electrophoresis technique, used to detect primary DNA damage in individual cells. The results here reported show that tannins under study are capable at low concentrations of protecting DNA breakage, while at high concentrations they can be genotoxic.     

INHIBITION OF NITRIFICATION BY CLIMAX ECOSYSTEMS. II. ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE AND POSSIBLE ROLE OF TANNINS

The same nine plots were used in this study as in our previous study on inhibition of nitrification (Rice and Pancholy, 1972). These consisted of three stands representing two stages of old field succession and the climax in each of three vegetation types in Oklahoma: tall grass prairie, post oak-blackjack oak forest, and oak-pine forest. Soil samples were analyzed three times during the growing season of 1972 for exchangeable ammonium nitrogen, nitrate, and numbers of Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter. Results were similar to those obtained during the entire year of 1971. The amount of ammonium nitrogen was lowest in the first successional stage, intermediate in the intermediate successional stage, and highest in the climax. The amount of nitrate was highest in the first successional stage, intermediate in the intermediate successional stage, and lowest in the climax. The numbers of nitrifiers were highest in the first successional stage usually and decreased to a very low number in the climax. These data furnish additional evidence that the nitrifiers are inhibited in the climax so that ammonium nitrogen is not oxidized to nitrate as readily in the climax as in the successional stages. This would aid in the conservation of nitrogen and energy in the climax ecosystem. Some inhibition of nitrification occurred in the intermediate stage of succession also. Previous studies of tannins indicated that these are inhibitory to nitrification, so all important plant species in the intermediate successional stage and the climax were analyzed for total tannin content. A method for extracting and quantifying condensed tannins from soils was developed and the amounts of tannins were determined in each 15-cm level down to 60 cm in the same two plots in each vegetation type. Gallic and ellagic acids, which result from the digestion of hydrolyzable tannins in oak species, were also extracted and quantified in the climax oak-pine forest. All the important herbaceous species, including the grasses, were found to have considerable amounts of condensed tannins. The highest amounts of tannins occurred in the oaks and pine, however. Condensed tannins, hydrolyzable tannins, ellagic acid, gallic acid, digallic acid, and commercial tannic acid (hydrolyzable tannin), in very small concentrations, were all found to completely inhibit nitrification by Nitrosomonas in soil suspensions for 3 weeks, the duration of the tests. Slightly larger concentrations were required to inhibit nitrification by Nitrobacter under similar conditions. The concentrations of tannins, gallic acid, and ellagic acid found in the soil of the research plots were several times higher than the minimum concentrations necessary to completely inhibit nitrification. The inhibition of nitrification was always greater in the climax stand than in the intermediate successional stage in each vegetation type, and the concentration of tannins in the top 15 cm of soil was always higher in the climax stand than in the intermediate successional stage. Moreover, the amounts of tannins calculated to be added to each plot each year are much less than the amounts found in the soil, indicating that the tannins accumulate over a period of time. Thus, it appears that the tannins and tannin derivatives may play a continuous and rather prominent role in the inhibition of nitrification by vegetation.     

Bitter problems in ecological feeding experiments: Commercial tannin preparations and common methods for tannin quantifications

In the field of plant–herbivore interactions, research methods where plant secondary metabolites are manipulated are becoming more and more popular. Among the most commonly used is tannic acid. However, recent studies have shown that different tannic acid preparations are not comparable in their tannin structures. While tannic acids are meant to contain only gallotannins (GTs), some commercial preparations compose mainly of more simple galloylglucoses (that have, e.g. much lower protein precipitation capacity than GTs) or even of gallic acid (the hydrolysis product of GTs). Another group of tannins used in feeding trials is condensed tannins (CTs), usually in the form of quebracho tannin. Quebracho, however, contains different CT structures than, e.g. leaves of many deciduous trees. Additionally, when analysed with the common acid-butanol assay for total CTs, quebracho tannins give even 30-fold lower absorbance than the CTs of those deciduous trees. In addition to above problems it has been shown that different tannins can give different response even within the same herbivore species, and that the same tannin structure can cause different response in different herbivores. Below we review these problems, as well as some means to deal with them.     

Isolation and characterization of an anaerobic ruminal bacterium capable of degrading hydrolyzable tannins.

An anaerobic diplococcoid bacterium able to degrade hydrolyzable tannins was isolated from the ruminal fluid of a goat fed desmodium (Desmodium ovalifolium), a tropical legume which contains levels as high as 17% condensed tannins. This strain grew under anaerobic conditions in the presence of up to 30 g of tannic acid per liter and tolerated a range of phenolic monomers, including gallic, ferulic, and p-coumaric acids. The predominant fermentation product from tannic acid breakdown was pyrogallol, as detected by high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Tannic acid degradation was dependent on the presence of a sugar such as glucose, fructose, arabinose, sucrose, galactose, cellobiose, or soluble starch as an added carbon and energy source. The strain also demonstrated resistance to condensed tannins up to a level of 4 g/liter.     

Production profiles of phenolics from fungal tannic acid biodegradation in submerged and solid-state fermentation

Potent antioxidant phenolics are derived from tannin biodegradation. Understanding of biodegradation pathways through the identification of the intermediates molecules of great value like tannins is important to pursuit the production of bioactive monomers. Biodegradation of tannins remains poorly understood due to their chemical complexity and reactivity. Tannic acid biodegradation by Aspergillus niger GH1 in submerged fermentation (SF) and solid state fermentation (SSF) was evaluated by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC–MS). Both cultures were kinetically monitored for the biodegradation profiles during 72 h. Differences in tannic acid composition were evidenced and the consumption of substrate and identification of biodegradation intermediates were achieved. The mechanism of tannic acid degradation by A. niger GH1 is by degradation of high molecular weight gallotannins and highly polymerized tannins to small molecules like gallic acid, digalloyl glucose and trigalloyl glucose. Important differences on time of substrate uptake and product release were revealed.     

Response of digestive gland cells of freshwater mussel Unio tumidus to phenolic compound exposure in vivo

The exposure of freshwater mussels Unio tumidus to phenolic compounds (tannic, ellagic and gallic acid) in vivo caused changes in proteins and DNA function of digestive gland cells. The mussels were exposed to various concentrations of tested polyphenols (60, 200 and 500 microM) for 24 and 48 h and their antioxidant and pro-oxidant effects were determined. The number of SH-groups was quantified spectrophotometrically using Ellman's reagent. Oxidative modification of proteins increased in the digestive gland cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The level of nuclear DNA damage was investigated using the comet assay. The results revealed that polyphenolic acids induce single and double-strand breaks in DNA. The highest changes were observed for tannic and gallic acids and the smallest ones for ellagic acid. 1h of DNA repair process was also studied using the same method. The data obtained in this experiment demonstrate that the most effective DNA repair occurs in the cells exposed to phenolic compounds for 24h. A longer incubation (up to 48 h) does not decrease the capacity of the repair mechanism. The antioxidant activity of the tested phenols was analyzed spectrofluorimetrically using a fluorescence probe DCFH-DA (dichlorofluorescein-diacetate). The experimental data showed that the tested acids can act as antioxidants when used at higher doses (200 and 500 microM) against the reactive oxygen species present in the digestive gland cells. The most effective was ellagic acid, also applied at the smallest dose of 60 microM, in comparison with tannic and gallic acids. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that chosen water-soluble polyphenols, which are located in various plant tissues and are also found in the aquatic environment, can influence organisms living in the water. They can be exposed to these chemicals that cause morphological alterations and changes in certain physiological processes in their organs (i.e. digestive gland cells of bivalve molluscs).     

Effects of tannins on Chinese hamster cell line B14

Tannins, naturally occurring plant phenols, have been recognized as antioxidants, but toxic effects have also been observed. In the current investigation, the interaction of this type of compounds with Chinese hamster cells (cell line B14) has been examined. This study reports on the results of experiments in which B14 cells were exposed to tannins: tannic, ellagic and gallic acids in the concentration range 15-240 microM. The cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of these compounds were studied. The colorimetric MTT assay to assess cytotoxicity and the Comet assay for detection of DNA damage were used. In this paper, we also demonstrated the influence of tannins on the fluidity of the plasma membrane. This experiment was carried out by a spectrofluorometric method using two fluorescent probes: 1-[4-(trimethylamino)phenyl]-6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (TMA-DPH) and 12-(9-anthroyloxy)stearic acid (12-AS). The tannins increased the fluidity in the internal region of the lipid bilayer, but no changes at the surface of the plasma membrane were observed. The results of the MTT assay showed that tannins could decrease the viability of cells and that their cytotoxicity was highest at the concentration of 60 microM. The degree of toxicity of these compounds was not correlated with the concentration used. The data obtained from the Comet assay showed that the tannins could also contribute to formation of DNA single-strand breaks.     

Phenolics in the Strawberry Root

Roots of four strawberry cultivars contained phenolics previouslyisolated from the fruits and leaves; others were found whichapparently have not been reported. Catechin, gallic acid, andthree biflavans were the most prominent as spots on paper chromatograms.Kaempherol-7-glucoside, quercetin-7-glucoside, an unidentifiedflavanone glycoside, ellagic acid, an ellagic acid derivative,a galloyl ester, and two other hydrolysable tannins were detected.A leucoanthocyanin, cyanidin-3-monoglucoside, chlorogenie acid,a scopoletin glycoside, a derivative of arbutin, DOPA (3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine),and three unidentified polyphenols comprised the other phenolicscommon to the four cultivars. A xanthone was found in only oneof four cultivars, Howard 17.     

Antioxidant and pro-oxidant effects of tannins in digestive cells of the freshwater mussel Unio tumidus

Bivalve molluscs, particularly mussels, are sensitive biomarkers of aquatic ecosystem pollution. The tannins, water-soluble plant polyphenols, may play an important role in this environment and, mainly as a consequence of interaction with pollutants, their toxicity may change. We studied three naturally occurring compounds, tannic acid, ellagic acid and gallic acid, for their ability to modulate DNA damage produced by these tannins alone and in the presence of the oxidative stress inducer H(2)O(2), in cells of the digestive gland of mussels (Unio tumidus). After the treatment of the cells with polyphenols at different concentrations (1, 5, 15, 30, 60, 80, 100, 120, 180, 240 microM) and with hydrogen peroxide in the range of 0.04 and 0.1mM, single-strand breaks (ssb) in DNA were investigated, using the comet assay. The ability of phenolic acids to decrease DNA damage through their antioxidant properties was also assessed. The results show that the phenols, which are known as antioxidative agents, could also act as pro-oxidants. They induced ssb in DNA of the digestive gland at concentrations higher that 10 microM, but lower doses (1 and 5 microM) did not contribute to the DNA damage. This study was also designed to evaluate the protective effect of these tannins against H(2)O(2)-mediated DNA damage in the cells. In this treatment, the two concentrations (1 and 5 microM) significantly decreased the amount of lesions induced by H(2)O(2) (0.04 and 0.1mM). In conclusion, our results demonstrate that antioxidative properties of tannins may change to pro-oxidative activities at the higher concentrations. This suggests that the biologic actions of these compounds may be rather complicated.     

Effects of hydrolyzable and condensed tannin on growth and development of two species of polyphagous lepidoptera: Spodoptera eridania and Callosamia promethea

Summary The effects of tannins on survival, growth, and digestion were compared in two polyphagous species of Lepidoptera (one, the southern armyworm, a forb-feeder; and the other, the promethea silkmoth, a tree-feeder). Two different types of tannins (hydrolyzable and condensed) were incorporated into artificial basal diets in order to determine whether or not differential survival and growth would result between the forb feeder, which normally does not encounter tannins in its natural diet, and the tree-feeder, whose host species include many tanniniferous plants from several different families.Neonate larvae of the forb-feeding armyworms exhibited significantly suppressed 10-day growth rates at all tannin concentrations tested (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0% of wet weight) for both the hydrolyzable and the condensed tannin compared to the control diet, however no dose-effect was detectable. In contrast, there were no detectable differences in neonate survival or growth through the first 10 days for the tree-feeding promethea silkmoth larvae fed diets with either tannic acid or quebracho tree condensed tannin.In order to determine the physiological mechanisms of action of these tannins against armyworms, we conducted detailed physiological bioassays of biomass and nitrogen utilization by penultimate instar larvae. Standard gravimetric feeding studies with both tannic acid and the quebracho tree condensed tannin demonstrated that reduced relative growth rates (RGR's) of Spodoptera eridania Cram. were due to the suppressed relative consumption rates (RCR's) and decreased conversion efficiencies (ECD's) rather than due to digestibility-reduction (as reflected by approximate digestibility, AD). As with the neonate larval growth rate suppression, there were no detectable dose responses at the different concentrations of tannic acid (0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, 2.50, and 5.0 percent) and condensed tannins from quebracho (0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.0, and 2.5 percent) in our penultimate instar studies.     

In vitro study of AMP-deaminase from fish (Cyprinus carpio) treated with hydrolyzable tannins

AMP-deaminase (EC 3.5.4.6) is an enzyme responsible for stabilising adenylate energy changes. The properties of this enzyme are controlled by various ligands of hydrophobic nature. An investigation of enzyme activity alterations under the influence of natural phenolic acids (tannic, ellagic and gallic) which are soluble in water, could evidence the biological toxicity of these compounds. In our study purified AMP-deaminase isolated from white muscle of Cyprinus carpio was exposed to phenolic acids in the concentration range of 1 to 50 microM as well as to tannic acid in the presence of Cu2+ ions (5 microM). On the basis of the obtained results we can conclude that among the tested acids, gallic acid did not contribute to the change in AMP-deaminase activity, whereas ellagic acid diminished its activity at the highest concentration (50 microM). Tannic acid caused a significant decrease in the enzyme activity in comparison to control for all used concentrations. Cu2+ ions alone reduced the activity of AMP-deaminase for all studied concentrations. A combined action of a chosen Cu2+ ions concentration (5 microM) with tannic acid at the concentration higher than 2 microM resulted in a decrease in the enzyme activity, but for lower tannic acid concentration of 1 microM the activity of AMP-deaminase was stimulated. These experiments showed that tannic acid may stop free radical chain reactions only at low concentrations (1 microM) in the presence of Cu2+ ions (5 microM).     

Oxidatively modified proteins and DNA in digestive gland cells of the fresh-water mussel Unio tumidus in the presence of tannic acid and its derivatives

The oxidative effect of tannic acid and its two derivatives (ellagic and gallic acid), naturally occurring plant polyphenols, has been studied on digestive gland cells of the fresh-water mussel Unio tumidus. A spectrophotometric method was used to determine the protein thiol groups after incubation of the cells with the polyphenols at concentrations of 1, 15 and 60 microM. The results showed that the oxidative modification of proteins increased in a concentration-dependent manner but no changes were observed at the concentration of 1 microM. The comet assay (single-cell gel electrophoresis assay) with the formamido-pyrimidine glycosylase (FPG) protein was used to assess oxidative DNA base damage. The cells were treated with polyphenols at the concentrations of 30 and 60 microM and post-incubated with FPG. FPG strongly enhanced DNA damage induced by the polyphenols, indicating that N-7 guanine oxidation is responsible for the observed effect. Using the comet assay in combination with proteinase K we were able to demonstrate the presence of DNA-protein cross-links as the probable cause of the decrease in DNA migration. After treatment of the cells with tannic acid and its metabolites at concentrations of 120, 180 and 240 microM, they were post-incubated with proteinase K. After this treatment an increased DNA migration was observed, indicating the presence of DNA-protein cross-links. We have also used a fluorescence method with Hoechst 33258/propidium iodide DNA-binding dyes to study the extent of DNA fragmentation after exposure of the cells to polyphenols at concentrations of 1, 5 and 60 microM. The results demonstrate that the polyphenols can induce apoptosis and necrosis at higher concentrations (5 and 60 microM). All experimental data suggest that tannic, ellagic and gallic acids at concentrations above 1 microM are able to interact with proteins and DNA, which leads to their degradation or changes in their function.     

Pestalotiopsis mangiferae isolated from cocoa leaves and concomitant tannase and gallic acid production

The enzyme tannase is of great industrial and biotechnological importance for the hydrolysis of vegetable tannins, reducing their undesirable effects and generating products for a wide range of processes. Thus, the search for new microorganisms that permit more stable tannase production is of considerable importance. A strain of P. mangiferae isolated from cocoa leaves was selected and investigated for its capacity to produce tannase enzymes and gallic acid through submerged fermentation. The assessment of the variables affecting tannase production by P. mangiferae showed that tannic acid, ammonium nitrate and temperature were the most significant (8.4 U/mL). The variables were analyzed using Response Surface Methodology - RSM (Box-Behnken design), with the best conditions for tannase production being: 1.9% carbon source, 1% nitrogen source and temperature of 23 °C. Tannase activity doubled (16.9 U/mL) after the optimization process when compared to the initial fermentation. A pH of 7.0 was optimal for the tannase and it presented stability above 80% with pH between 4.0 and 7.0 after 2h of incubation. The optimal temperature was 30 °C and activity remained at above 80% at 40–60 °C after 1 h. Production of gallic acid was achieved with 1% tannic acid (0.9 mg/mL) and P. mangiferae had not used up the gallic acid produced by tannic acid hydrolysis after 144 h of fermentation. A 5% tannic acid concentration was the best for gallic acid production (1.6 mg/mL). These results demonstrate P. mangiferae’s potential for tannase and gallic acid production for biotechnological applications.     

Ellagitannins from Tellima grandiflora

Three ellagitannins present in Tellima grandiflora have been isolated and partly identified. Two are 2,3-digallyl-4,6-hexahydroxydiphenoyl -β-d-glucopyranose and 1,2,3-trigallyl-4,6-hexahydroxydiphenoyl-β-d-glucopyranose. The third is complex, with five gallyl and two hexahydroxydiphenyl residues; hydrolysis yielded glucose, gallic acid and ellagic acid.     

A commentary on methodological aspects of hydrolysable tannins metabolism in ruminant: a perspective view

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.     

Co-production of tannase and gallic acid by a novel Penicillium rolfsii (CCMB 714)

Abstract

A novel tannase and gallic acid-producing Penicillium rolfsii (CCMB 714) was isolated from cocoa leaves from the South of Bahia. The influence of nutritional sources and the simultaneous effect of parameters involved in the fermentation process were available. Tannase (9.97 U?mL^?1) and gallic acid (9?mg mL^?1) production were obtained in 48?h by submerged fermentation in non-optimized conditions. Among the carbon sources, tested gallic acid and tannic acid showed the highest tannase production (p<.05) when compared with methyl gallate and glucose. After optimization using the temperature and tannic acid concentration as variables with the Central Compound Rotational Design (CCRD), the maximal tannase production (25.6?U mL^?1) was obtained at 29.8?°C and 12.7%, respectively, which represents an increase of 2.56 times in relation to the initial activity. The parameters optimized for the maximum production of gallic acid (21.51?mg mL^?1) were 30?°C and 10% tannic acid. P. rolfsii CCMB 714 is a new strain with a high tannase and gallic acid production and the gallic acid produced is very important, mainly for its applications in the food and pharmaceutical industry.     

Screening for Tannin Degradation by Rumen and Faecal Samples of Wild and Domestic Animals in Ethiopia

Summary Tannins limit the use of fodder trees as feed for ruminants. Removal of the effects of tannins would thus improve the nutritional quality of these trees. This prompted the study to evaluate the effect of rumen or faecal mixed cultures from different animals on tannin degradation. Tannin extracts, tannic acid and gallic acid were used to enrich media to assess if rumen or faecal mixed cultures could degrade the phenolic compounds. Rumen fluid of Acacia-adapted sheep, sheep fed on wheat bran, bush duikers (Sylvicapra grimmia) and goats fed on Leucaena pallida and Sesbania goetzei were separately inoculated into Growth Study Medium (GSM) and incubated for 5-15 days. Faecal samples from dikdik (Madoqua guentheri), camel (Camelus dromedarius), zebra (Equus quagga), Grant’s gazelle (Gazella granti) and hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus) were also separately inoculated into GSM media and incubated from 3-5 days. TLC results showed that mixed cultures from rumen fluids of Acacia-adapted sheep, sheep on wheat bran, goats on Leucaena pallida and Sesbania goetzei partially hydrolysed tannic acid to pyrogallol. Complete degradation of the heterocyclic ring in tannic acid and gallic acid was achieved by the mixed cultures from the faecal samples of dikdik and this was confirmed by HPLC. Mixed cultures from faecal samples of camel hydrolysed gallic acid to phloroglucinol. This study has demonstrated that faecal microorganisms of Ethiopian dikdik could completely degrade hydrolysable tannin.     

The influence of acid on astringency of alum and phenolic compounds

Astringency of aqueous solutions of phenolic compounds (grape seed tannins, tannic acid, catechin and gallic acid) increased upon addition of citric acid, whereas the astringency of alum was reduced. Astringency of alum was decreased equivalently by addition of equi-sour levels of lactic acid, citric acid or hydrochloric acid. The difference between alum and the phenolic compounds is speculated to result from chemical modifications affecting binding of the astringents with oral proteins rather than cognitive differences. Chelation of the aluminum ion in alum by acids reduces its availability for interacting with salivary proteins or epithelial proteins. In contrast, the increased astringency produced upon acidification of phenolic compounds is speculated to result from the pH driven increase in the affinity of the phenols for binding with proteins. These results suggest that alum cannot be used interchangeably with phenolic astringents in psychophysical studies.      

Elution of dissolved Fe from mangrove soil by tannin solution

To reveal the role of tannins in mangroves, tannins in mangrove leaves and the Fe eluted from mangrove soil by adding tannin solutions of different salinity levels was investigated. Leaves of six mangrove and 16 non-mangrove species, and samples of a mangrove floor, Andosol and dark red soil were collected. Results were: (1) Increasing tannic acid concentration to ~50 mM, increased the Fe eluted from mangrove soil to ~20 μgg^?1. (2) When a 100 mM tannic acid solution was added, the Fe eluted from mangrove soil was 5.5 times higher than dark red soil. (3) Although elution of Fe from mangrove soil was higher than in Andosol one day after submersion in a 10 mM tannic acid solution, the difference was stable after 2 days. (4) The elution of Fe from all soils significantly decreased with increasing salinity of a 10 mM tannic acid solution. However, the amount from mangrove soil was 6.1 times higher than dark red soil even with 35 ‰ salinity. (5) The tannin content in the mangrove leaves was 99 ± 16 mgg^?1 and non-mangrove leaves was 76 ± 19 mgg^?1. (6) The Fe eluted from mangrove soil had a positive correlation with the tannin concentrations in the added leaf solution. Tannins in mangrove species promote the elution of Fe from mangrove floor soil even in saline water. Fe complexes were formed when mangrove soil was mixed with leaf tannins suggesting that Fe produced by tannins in mangrove leaves growing in land/sea interfaces likely plays a direct role in marine ecosystems.     

Anti-oxidant, pro-oxidant properties of tannic acid and its binding to DNA

Tannic acid has numerous food and pharmacological applications. It is an additive in medicinal products, and is used as a flavouring agent and as an anti-oxidant in various foods and beverages. We have previously shown that tannic acid in the presence of Cu(II) causes DNA degradation through generation of reactive oxygen species. On the other hand, it exhibits antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic activities, and induces apoptosis in animal cells. It is known that most plant-derived polyphenolic anti-oxidants also act as pro-oxidants under certain conditions. In this paper, we compare the anti-oxidant and pro-oxidant properties of tannic acid and its structural component gallic acid. It is shown that tannic acid is the most efficient generator of the hydroxyl radical in the presence of Cu(II), as compared with gallic acid and its analogues syringic acid and pyrogallol. The anti-oxidant activity of tannic acid was studied by its effect on hydroxyl radical and singlet oxygen mediated cleavage of plasmid DNA. Again, tannic acid provided the maximum protection against cleavage, while gallic acid and its structural analogues were found to be non-inhibitory or partially inhibitory. The results suggest that the structural features of tannic acid that are important for its anti-oxidant action are also those that contribute to the generation of hydroxyl radicals in the presence of Cu(II). Restriction analysis of treated phage DNA and thermal melting profiles of calf thymus DNA indicated that tannic acid strongly binds to DNA. Indirect evidence indicates that modification of DNA bases may also occur.