The utilisation of a commercial polyethylene glycol preparation to ameliorate the influence of tannins on rumen environment

Quebracho (Loxopterygium loetzil) tannins (QT) are condensed tannins that reduce the digestibilities of nutrients in ruminants (Robbins, et al, 1991), probably by forming complexes with the dietary protein and carbohydrates and reducing microbial activities (Makkar, et al, 1988). Browse Plus (BP), a commercial preparation of polyethylene glycol (PEG) has recently been used to improve the nutritive value of tannin-containing browses. Trials on commercial farms in Zimbabwe have demonstrated that BP improved the nutritional performance of cattle fed high tannin diets (Anon., 1995). Some in vitro work tend to support these findings (Acamovic, et al, 1995). An experiment to study the effectiveness of BP in ameliorating the effects of QT on the rumen environment was conducted.