Tannin detoxification

It is possible that these ecoregulatory enzymes, used by the insect to inhibit targeted plant toxlficatlon systems, may themselves be the principal target of the production of tannins by plants. The discovery of other examples of secondary chemical interactions with enzymes dedicated to the regulation of toxifica-tion and detoxification mechanisms may be expected as our knowledge of chemically mediated plant-insect interaction expands. 

Continued research is needed to determine differences in composition, protein-binding, and enzyme inactivation properties of tannins from different sources. The mechanisms involved in the detoxification of polyphenols are not well understood. Simpler processing methods are required to improve the nutritional quality of high-polyphenol seed types. Sorghums, millets, and legumes provide the main subsistence of peoples in the under-developed countries. Any efforts to improve their nutritional quality may therefore be expected to alleviate the severe problem of malnutrition existing in this part of the world. 

Detoxification of high tannin sorghum grain, Nutr. Rep. Inti., 17 229. 

In turn, secondary metabolites serve as sources of carbon for decomposer organisms. Thus, microorganisms can play an important role in the detoxification of litter by the degradation of these secondary metabolites. Tannins of low molecular weight can act as carbon substrates for microorganisms when they are adapted to this type of compound. In fact, microbial communities which have had a limited exposure to taimins during their development seem to be more sensitive to these compounds. 

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