In vitro evaluation of protein precipitation capacity of temperate browse species

European agri-environmental policies are promoting the establishment of shrubs and trees on grasslands. The use of browse as fodder requires knowledge on their nutritive value since intensive production systems are still relying on expensive and environment-costing protein sources. However, information on the influence of temperate condensed tannins (CT)-containing browse forage on rumen protein metabolism is elusive. The study aimed to assess the protein precipitation capacity (PPC) of 10 temperate browse species and establish the correlation between PPC values and plants CT content.
PPC of foliage of 3 individuals per woody plants was measured using 2 model proteins: bovine serum albumin (BSA) and casein. The N content in protein solutions (4.6g/L; pH=6.8) was determined before and after adding each forage sample. Extractable CT concentration was quantified by spectrophotometry.
The PPC varied across plant species (P<0.001). Corylus avellana had the highest ability to precipitate casein (52.4%). In contrast, the BSA precipitation (18.3%) of this plant was similar to Cornus sanguinea (12.7%), Quercus robur (12.1%) and Crataegus monogyna (11.0%). CT content ranged from 1.4 in Fraxinus excelsior to 82.7g/kg of depigmented sample in Corylus avellana (P<0.001) and was correlated to BSA (r=0.70; P<0.001) and casein PC (r=0.51; P<0.01). It was concluded that woody species could play a significant role in modifying protein metabolism, but further in vivo trials are required.