ISSN:
1573-1561
Keywords:
Phenol
;
platyphylloside
;
digestibility
;
plant defense
;
ruminant
;
birch
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Chemistry and Pharmacology
Notes:
Abstract Extracts of Scandinavian birch (Betula pendula Roth) buds and internodes of varying twig diameters have been investigated for their inhibitory effect on ruminant digestibility in vitro. The predominant inhibitory effect was observed in extracts containing the phenol platyphylloside, 5-hydroxy-1,7-bis-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-3-heptan-one-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside. Isolation of the pure compound and incubation with rumen inocula showed that digestibility was negatively related to the concentration. Significant effect was measured below the concentration naturally occurring in birch (0.8% of dry matter). Another isolated compound, the closely related rhododendrin, 4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanol-2-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, did not depress digestibility within the concentrations found in birch. An important phenol of buds, apigenin-4′,7-dimethylether, did not have any measurable effect on digestibility, while a nonphenolic fraction of bud extract had a slight inhibitory effect on digestibility. Implications for browsers feeding on birch are briefly discussed.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01013906
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