Mahadevan, A. and Muthukumar, G. 1980. Aquatic Microbiology with Reference to Tannin Degradation. Hydrobiologia, Volume 72, Numbers 1-2 / July.

"Tannins in aquatic environment cause harmful effects to aquatic life. They are inhibitory to microbial growth, respiration and metabolism. A few microorganisms degrade tannins and the factors influencing degradation are discussed."


RICHARD J. DUDLEY, PERRY F. CHURCHILL 1995. Effect and potential ecological significance of the interaction of humic acids with two aquatic extracellular proteases. Freshwater Biology 1995 34:3 485

Tej K. Bhat, Bhupinder Singh and Om P. Sharma 1998
Microbial degradation of tannins – A current perspective
Biodegradation, Issue Volume 9, Number 5 / September, 1998

"Tannins are water-soluble polyphenolic compounds having wide prevalence in plants. Hydrolysable and condensed tannins are the two major classes of tannins. These compounds have a range of effects on various organisms – from toxic effects on animals to growth inhibition of microorganisms. Some microbes are, however, resistant to tannins, and have developed various mechanisms and pathways for tannin degradation in their natural milieu. The microbial degradation of condensed tannins is, however, less than hydrolysable tannins in both aerobic and anaerobic environments. A number of microbes have also been isolated from the gastrointestinal tract of animals, which have the ability to break tannin-protein complexes and degrade tannins, especially hydrolysable tannins. Tannase, a key enzyme in the degradation of hydrolysable tannins, is present in a diverse group of microorganisms, including rumen bacteria. This enzyme is being increasingly used in a number of processes. Presently, there is a need for increased understanding of the biodegradation of condensed tannins, particularly in ruminants."

Regulation of Nitrification in Aquatic Sediments by Organic Carbon
Eric A. Strauss, Gary A. Lamberti
Limnology and Oceanography, Vol. 45, No. 8 (Dec., 2000), pp. 1854-1859

Impacts of tannins in herbivore defense in Lizard tail plants:

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