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Ecological tannin assays: a critique.
Simon Mole1, Larry G Butler1, Ann E Hagerman2
1Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, 47907, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
Oecologia
|March 18, 2017
Summary
This study found that the protein precipitation potential assay for tannins is unreliable, with incomplete recovery of condensed tannins and interference from other tannin types. Recommendations are provided for improving tannin analysis in ecological studies.
Area of Science:
- Plant biochemistry
- Ecological analytical methods
Background:
- The protein precipitation potential (PPP) assay was introduced to measure tannins in ecological studies.
- The original method lacked theoretical rigor and clear data analysis protocols.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the reliability and reproducibility of the PPP assay for tannin analysis.
- To identify limitations and potential interferences in the PPP assay.
Main Methods:
- Attempted to replicate the tannin extraction and assay procedure described by Wisdom et al. (1987).
- Quantified recovery rates for condensed tannins (quebracho) and hydrolysable tannins (tannic acid).
- Assessed chemical interference in the protein precipitation assay.
Main Results:
- Incomplete recovery of condensed tannins (24% loss).
- Efficient recovery of hydrolysable tannins, which were missed by the chemical assay.
- Significant chemical interference in the protein precipitation assay from both tannin types.
Conclusions:
- The PPP assay is not theoretically rigorous and yields unreliable results for tannin quantification.
- The assay is prone to interference and inaccurate recovery, limiting its utility in ecological studies.
- Recommendations are proposed for refining tannin analysis methodologies.
