Nutrient compositions of acorns, and horse chestnuts in relation to seed-hoarding

Nutritional compositions of acorns (Quercus serrata Thunb. and Quercus mongolica Fisch. var. grosseserrata Rehd. et Wils.) and horse chestnuts (Aesculus turbinata Blume) were analyzed. Major nutrients of acorns and horse chestnuts were carbohydrate, protein and fat. They proved to contain considerable amounts of tannins (7.28-11.72% dry mass(-1)) and saponins (6.20%), respectively, The nutrients and the secondary metabolites of seeds buried for either 1 month or 3 months were analyzed to evaluate effects of seed-caching by animals. Noticeable changes were not observed, which suggested that caching may not bring any advantages to the seed-hoarders with respect to nutrition.