Tannin Dynamics of Propagules and Leaves of Kandelia candel and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza in the Jiulong River Estuary, Fujian, China

Abstract

Changes in the total phenolics, condensed tannins (CT), protein-precipitable phenolics content and protein precipitation capacity were determined on a series of mangrove leaves from two true viviparous mangrove species (Kandelia candel and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza) at various stages of development and decomposition in the Jiulong River Estuary, Fujian, China. Similar measurements were also done for the propagules at different developmental stages. The results showed that the total phenolics, extractable condensed tannins, total condensed tannins, proteinprecipitable phenolics content and protein precipitation capacity in young leaves were higher than those in mature and senescent leaves. Tannin dynamics during leaf decomposition varied with species, and the rapid loss of phenolics observed during decomposition can be ascribed to leaching and degradation. Protein-bound CT and fibre-bound CT tended to increase with leaf decomposition, with CT binding more strongly to protein than to fibre. Protein-bound CT was higher than fibre-bound CT with the exception of mature leaves. Total phenolics, extractable CT and proteinprecipitable phenolics contents in flower tissues were relatively lower than those in hypocotyls at different developmental stages. Protein precipitation capacity fluctuated with the development of propagules. Increases in nitrogen in decaying litter, and declines in contents of total phenolics and total condensed tannins of detritus support the general conclusion that decomposing mangrove detritus can be a more palatable heterotrophic substrate than living leaves.

The Role of Quantitative Traits of Leaf Litter on Decomposition and Nutrient Cycling of the Forest Ecosystems

“…Relationship between total phenolics and N contents during leaf decomposition of Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (Bg) and Kandelia candel (Kc). Symbols are: black triangle for Bg leaf; white triangle for Kc leaf (Adapted from Lin et al 2006). lated mass loss (Berg et al 1984).…”

Effects of fertilization and drought stress on tannin biosynthesis of Casuarina equisetifolia seedlings branchlets

“…Procedures described by Lin et al (2006) were used to determine total phenolics (TP), extractable condensed tannins (ECT). TP were measured with the Prussian blue method (Graham 1992), and ECT were assayed by the butanol-HCl method (Terrill et al 1992), using purified tannins from C. equisetifolia branchlets as the standard.…”

Changes of tannin and nutrients during decomposition of branchlets of Casuarina equisetifolia plantation in subtropical coastal areas of China

“…Procedures described by Lin et al (2006) were used to determine total phenolics (TP), extractable condensed tannins (ECT), protein bound condensed tannins (PBCT), and fibre bound condensed tannins (FBCT) and protein precipitation capacity (PPC) in the branchlet litter. TP concentrations were measured by the Foline Ciocalteu method (Zhou et al 2010), ECT, PBCT and FBCT were assayed by the butanol-HCl method (Terrill et al 1992), using purified tannins from C. equisetifolia branchlets as the standard.…”

“…Phenolic compounds, including tannins, are a significant component of plant secondary metabolites (Míka et al 2005, Lin et al 2006, Lachman et al 2011. Because high tannin concentrations in plants are often associated with infertile site conditions (Northup et al 1995), it has been suggested that there is an evolutionary advantage to higher tannin production.…”

“…Despite the growing knowledge of the physiological basis and ecological consequences of leaf phenolics in plant tissues, there is scant information on detailed changes of leaf phenolics and nutrient concentrations during leaf decomposition (Schofield et al 1998, Hernes et al 2001, Lin et al 2006. This variability may determine important aspects of nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems (Northup et al 1995, Lin et al 2007, Zhou et al 2012.…”