Cholesterol lowering and vascular protective effects of ethanolic extract of dried fruit of Crataegus pinnatifida,hawthorn (Shan Zha), in diet-induced hypercholesterolaemic rat model

Consumption of functional foods for managing plasma cholesterol level has gained acceptance globally. The hypocholesterolaemic and vascular protective effects of the dried fruit of Crataegus pinnatifida, hawthorn (Shan Zha), were investigated in rats fed with normal diet, high cholesterol diet (HCD) or HCD plus Shan Zha 80% ethanolic extract treatment (30 or 100 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for 4 weeks. Shan Zha extract markedly reversed the increased plasma total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein cholesterol induced by HCD with a dose-dependent improvement on the atherogenic index. It also demonstrated good hepatoprotective function by reducing lipid content in the liver. The blunted endothelium-mediated aortic relaxation in HCD-fed rats was restored by high dosage of Shan Zha extract treatment. The current results showed that Shan Zha extract could provide its cholesterol lowering effect by up-regulating hepatic CYP7A1 mRNA expression which leads to enhanced bile acid biosynthesis. It is postulated that the hypocholesterolaemic effect is the primary beneficial effect given by Shan Zha extract; it then leads to other secondary beneficial effects such as vascular protective and hepatoprotective functions. Thus, Shan Zha extract could provide an overall improvement on the hepatic and vascular systems that may be important in relieving hypercholesterolaemia-related complications.     

Effect of Lactobacillus-fermented adlay-based milk on lipid metabolism of hamsters fed cholesterol-enriched diet

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of adlay milk and adlay-soymilk fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum or Lactobacillus paracasei on lipid metabolism in hamsters fed with a cholesterol-enriched diet. Adlay milk and fermented adlay milk with or without soymilk administered to hamsters significantly decreased (p < 0.05) serum cholesterol levels and ratio of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, when compared to a high-cholesterol diet group; there was also a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the level of fecal cholesterol and triglycerides. The group administered adlay milk fermented with L. plantarum or L. paracasei presented increased superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant status activity in the blood, thus relieving the levels of thinobarbituric acid reactive substances as compared to other treatment groups. Adlay milk and Lactobacillus-fermented adlay milk with or without a soymilk supplement, could be used as a potential cholesterol-lowering ingredient; it could also relieve hyperlipidemia-induced oxidative stress to improve hypercholesterolemia.     

Suppression of diet-induced hypercholesterolaemia by saponins from Panax notoginseng in rats

Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) are major active constituents of P. notoginseng. This study investigated the mechanisms of the hypocholesterolaemic and atheroscleroprotective effects of PNS. It was found that treatment of PNS (30 or 100 mg/kg/day, p.o.) could significantly reduce elevated serum total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and atherogenic index induced by feeding rats with high cholesterol diet for 28 days. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol could also be increased by PNS treatment. Additionally, PNS significantly enhanced the hypercholesterolaemia-induced reduction of superoxide dismutase activity in the liver. In hypercholesterolaemic rats, PNS significantly improved the endothelium-dependent vasodilatation, acetylcholine-induced nitric oxide production and endothelial nitric oxide synthase mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner. It also significantly reversed the hypercholesterolaemia-induced changes in mRNA expressions of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α but not HMG-CoA reductase. The findings provided evidence for using PNS to prevent the development of hypercholesterolaemia and atherosclerosis. The hypocholesterolaemic activity of PNS is likely to be resulted from inducing the biosynthesis of bile acids from cholesterol and promoting the β-oxidation of fatty acids in the liver. The vasoprotective function of PNS may be brought about by increasing the gene expression of eNOS in endothelial cells, its antioxidative activity, or both.     

A high-resistance-starch rice diet reduces glycosylated hemoglobin levels and improves the antioxidant status in diabetic rats

Diabetes mellitus is a common problem in developed countries. An improved postprandial hyperglycemic peak is one of the main therapeutic targets in diabetic patients. The Wistar rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes were divided into cornstarch (control) and Japonica rice groups, which were fed 640 g starch/kg diets for 4 weeks. The area (means ± SD) under the glucose curve of cornstarch was 173.8 ± 6.9 and Japonica rice diet was 154.3 ± 8.7 mmol × min/L, and the area (means ± SD) under the insulin curve of cornstarch was 12.9 ± 0.1 and Japonica rice diet was 12.0 ± 0.6 nmol × min/L. The glycosylated hemoglobin levels, serum fructosamine and cholesterol concentrations in diabetic rats fed the Japonica rice diet were significantly lower than the control group (P < 0.05). The decreased malondialdehyde levels and increased superoxide dismutase activity and total radical-trapping antioxidant parameter in plasma were also found in rat fed the Japonica rice diet compared to the control. These results suggested that the diet containing high-resistance-starch Japonica rice might reduce glycosylated hemoglobin levels, serum cholesterol concentrations and raised the antioxidant status in the blood.     

β-Conglycinin (7S) and glycinin (11S) exert a hypocholesterolemic effect comparable to that of fenofibrate in rats fed a high-cholesterol diet

The hypocholesterolemic effect of isolated soybean proteins and fenofibrate in rats was compared. Forty-five rats were divided into five groups: standard (STD; casein), high cholesterol (HC; STD plus 1% cholesterol/0.5% cholic acid), HC + β-conglycinin, HC + glycinin and HC + fenofibrate. The proteins and the drug were administered by gavage for 28 days. The proteins decreased total cholesterol (TC) and triacylglycerol (TG) in the plasma of the rats fed HC diet, to values very close to those fed on fenofibrate. High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels in the plasma were increased by the β-conglycinin, glycinin and fenofibrate groups. The largest TC reduction in the liver was observed in the fenofibrate group; in contrast, the β-conglycinin and glycinin groups exhibited reduced the levels of hepatic TG and TC. Based on these data, it could be suggested that the oral daily administration of isolated soybean proteins, in the range of 2.75% of the protein ingested daily, can promote a reduction in TC and TG in the plasma of rats fed hypercholesterolemic diets.     

Polyphenol-rich longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.)-flower-water-extract attenuates nonalcoholic fatty liver via decreasing lipid peroxidation and downregulating matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9

Longan-flower-water-extract (LFWE) contains large amounts of phytochemicals where gentisic acid and epicatechin are the major compounds in phenolic acid and flavonoid compound, respectively. The objective of this study was to investigate if drinking LFWE could protect the liver from a hypercaloric dietary habit. Only rats fed the hypercaloric diet (HCD) with 25 g/L (w/v) LFWE solution (HCD_2X) group demonstrated lower (p < 0.05) serum triglyceride levels compared to those fed the HCD with normal distilled water (HCD_NDW) and HCD with 12.5 g/L (w/v) LFWE solution (HCD_1X) groups. However, drinking LFWEs decreased (p < 0.05) hepatic lipids in the HCD rats. Lower (p < 0.05) hepatic MDA levels, GOT and GPT values, and higher (p < 0.05) hepatic GSH levels were observed in HCD rats drinking LFWE. Besides, drinking LFWE downregulated (p < 0.05) gene expressions and activities of hepatic matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9 (MMP-2/9) in HCD rats. In conclusion, polyphenol-rich LFWE displayed hepatoprotective characteristics against an energy-dense dietary habit.     

Hypocholesterolemic and hypotensive effects of a fruit-based functional beverage in spontaneously hypertensive rats fed with cholesterol-rich diet

This study was designed to evaluate a polyphenols-rich fruit-based functional beverage on blood pressure, serum and liver lipid profiles in vivo. Sixty spontaneously hypertensive rats were divided into five groups and were fed with a AIN-93G-diet as the normal control (NC), high cholesterol diet as atherogenic control (AC), and the AC diet with three different beverage dosages (0.5X, 1X, 2X), where X is the equivalence of two portion sizes for an adult (X = 10 mL/kg BW/day) after dose translation. Blood pressure was measured during weeks 2 and 4 using a tail-cuff method. Systolic blood pressures were lowered by the beverage at the supplementation of 1X/2X after 2 week but not after 4 week. The oral administration of the beverage at 1X/2X significantly lowered liver cholesterol and total and non-HDL-cholesterol levels in the serum. Thus, the newly formulated beverage possessed hypolipidaemic effects while showing inconsistent effect in lowering the blood pressure.     

Effects of chestnut tannins on carcass characteristics,meat quality,lipid oxidation and fatty acid composition of rabbits

Seventy two male Bianca Italiana rabbits were used to study the effects of the inclusion (0%, 0.5%, and 1.0%) of a natural extract of chestnut wood (Silvafeed ENC) in the diet on productive traits, carcass characteristics, meat quality, lipid oxidation and fatty acid composition of rabbit meat. Results showed ENC had no significant effect on live weight, productive traits, hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, skin weight, pH, cooking losses, shear force and colour. The iron content was higher in Longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) muscle of rabbit fed the ENC 1.0% diet than the control group. TBARS average values in the group ENC 0.5% were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than in the control and ENC 1.0% groups. Myristic acid (C14:0; P < 0.01), palmitoleic acid (C16:1 cis-9; P < 0.05) and pentadecanoic acid (C15:0; P < 0.01) contents were lower in LTL muscle of rabbits fed the ENC 1.0% diet, whereas the palmitic acid (C16:0) content was higher (P < 0.05) in the rabbits of this group. Moreover, the rabbits fed with the ENC 0.5% diet had lower (P < 0.01) levels of trans-vaccenic acid (C18:1 trans-11) compared to rabbits fed with the control diet. No significant differences were observed in saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acids, as well as in PUFA/SFA and n − 6/n − 3 ratios among the groups.     

Effect of tomato by-products in the diet of Comisana sheep on composition and conjugated linoleic acid content of milk fat

To evaluate the effect of supplementing the diet of Comisana sheep with by-products from industrial tomato manufacture on the fat composition and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) content of milk fat, two groups of 50 ewes each were fed either total mixed ration standard (TMRS) or total mixed ration with added tomato by-products (TMRA). Milk fat composition was determined by high-resolution gas chromatography (HRGC). The milk fat content for the animals fed the TMRA diet increased by 6.41% (P < 0.01) after six weeks, compared with the animals fed the TMRS diet. The CLA content in the milk fat for the group of animals fed the TMRA diet was 19.8% (P < 0.05) higher than for those fed the TMRS diet, and reached 1.33 g 100 g^?1 fat, while the polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content increased by a 6.43% (P < 0.05) and reached 7.12 g 100 g^?1 fat. The fatty acid composition showed an increase in the amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The n ? 3:n ? 6 ratio increased by 13% in the milk from sheep fed with the TMRA diet. These observations were confirmed by triglyceride analysis, which showed a decrease in the amount of short-chain (C₂₈–C₃₂) and medium-chain (C₃₄–C₄₂) triglycerides after six weeks, while the opposite was observed for the long-chain triglycerides (C₄₄–C₅₄).     

Effects of a black rice extract (Oryza sativa L. indica) on cholesterol levels and plasma lipid parameters in Wistar Kyoto rats

This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of an anthocyanin pigmented rice (e.g. black rice) to mitigate the onset of hypercholesterolemia in rats-fed atherogenic diets. Male Wistar (n = 10/group) rats were fed with atherogenic diets containing 0.5% cholesterol in the presence and in the absence of bile salt (e.g. 0.05% cholic acid) along with a standardized black rice extract (BRE) (e.g. 3%, w/w). All animals were individually housed in stainless steel cages and fed with the experimental diets during a 12-h period for 10 weeks. Body weights of rats were measured every week of the experiment. After 10 weeks fed on experimental diets, rats were sacrificed and plasma total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol and triacylglycerols were measured immediately. The total cholesterol (TC) content in the liver, heart and aorta, and the concentration of triacylglycerol (TAG) were measured after lipid extraction using Folch method. Rats fed with 0.5% cholesterol containing diets which also included bile salt exhibited a considerably more severe hypercholesterolemia than counterparts fed diets containing only 0.5% cholesterol. The inclusion of the BRE in diets significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the level of TC, LDL–TC and TAG in plasma of rats-fed control diets that either contained or were absent in bile salt (p < 0.05). There were no differences in HDL-level. Liver crude lipids and total cholesterol levels were also significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in experimental groups relative to the control group in both experiments. Thus, supplementation of atherogenic experimental diets with BRE effectively decreased lipid levels in hypercholesterolemic rats. In lieu of the mixture of bioactive components present in BRE, it is possible that more than one mechanism underlying this reduction in lipids is involved.     

Antiobesity and lipid lowering effects of theaflavins on high-fat diet induced obese rats

Theaflavins are major polyphenols in black tea. This study investigated antiobesity and lipid lowering effects of black tea extract (BTE), a highly purified theaflavins mixture (TFs, 83.84%) and theaflavin (TF1, 93.25%) on high-fat diet (HFD) induced obese rats. The body weight was slightly reduced by BTE and TFs (p > 0.05), and was significantly decreased by TF1 (p < 0.05) relative to the HFD control group. All samples remarkably decreased the food intake, adiposity index and the serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerol (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (p < 0.05), except that BTE and TF1 insignificantly decreased the TC concentration (p > 0.05). Moreover, administration of BTE, TFs and TF1 all significantly decreased atherogenic index (AI), enhanced insulin sensitive index (ISI), inhibited the hepatic lipase (HL) activity (p < 0.05), and slightly reduced leptin level in liver, decreased serum alanine transaminase (ALT) activity and increased serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (p > 0.05) as compared to that of the HFD controls. These results indicated that theaflavins were one of the functional components which contributed to the antiobesity and lipid lowering effects of black tea, and might reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in obese patients.     

Influence of supplementing vitamin C to yearling steers fed a high sulfur diet during the finishing period on meat color,tenderness and protein degradation,and fatty acid profile of the longissimus muscle

The objective was to determine the influence of vitamin C (VC) supplemented for approximately 102 d during the finishing period on color, tenderness, and fatty acid profile of longissimus thoracis (LT; n = 136) from steers fed a 0.55% sulfur diet. Treatments included 4 supplemental VC concentrations: 1) 0 (CON), 2) 5 (5VC), 3) 10 (10VC), or 4) 20 (20VC) g VC·h^− 1∙ d^− 1 in a common diet. Increasing supplemental VC decreased (P < 0.01) L*, but increased (P < 0.01) vitamin E and tended to increase (P ≤ 0.07) calcium and iron content of steaks. No VC (P ≥ 0.25) effect was noted for WBSF, calpain-1 autolysis, troponin T degradation, or most fatty acid profiles. A quadratic effect (P ≤ 0.03) was observed for cholesterol and CLA content of LT. Under the conditions of our study, supplementing VC to steers fed a 0.55% sulfur diet late in the finishing period did not influence color or tenderness, but increased the vitamin E content.     

Sorghum distillers dried grain lipid extract increases cholesterol excretion and decreases plasma and liver cholesterol concentration in hamsters

Grain sorghum is a rich source of phytochemicals. In this study, male hamsters were fed AIN-93M diets supplemented with a hexane-extractable lipid fraction from sorghum distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS). Diets contained 0.0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, and 5.0% (w/w) DDGS lipid extract. After 4 wk, the 5.0% DDGS lipids group had significantly lower plasma non-HDL cholesterol and liver esterified cholesterol concentration. Faecal neutral sterol (i.e., cholesterol) excretion was significantly higher in the 5.0% DDGS lipids group compared to the other treatments (66% higher compared to controls). Bile acid excretion was not affected by DDGS lipid intake. Faecal cholesterol excretion was negatively correlated with liver cholesterol concentration (r = ?0.97, P = 0.026), and liver cholesterol concentration was directly correlated with plasma total cholesterol concentration (r = 0.96, P = 0.041). Thus, lipid extract of sorghum DDGS exhibited cholesterol-lowering properties due, at least in part, to increased cholesterol excretion from the body and could provide health benefits when incorporated into human diets.     

Inhibitory effects of litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) flower-water extracts on lipase activity and diet-induced obesity

Litchi flower–water extract (LFWE) contains plenty of phenolic acids, flavonoids, condensed tannins, anthocyanins, and proanthocyanidins. In this study, we used eight male rats per group that were assigned randomly to one of the following dietary group: (1) normal-caloric diet and distilled water; (2) hypercaloric diet (HCD) and distilled water; (3) HCD and 2.5% LFWE; (4) HCD and 5% LFWE for 10 weeks. As results, LFWEs demonstrated a suppressive (p < 0.05) effect on in vitro lipase activities; meanwhile, larger sizes of livers, perirenal and epididymal adipose tissues, and cell sizes of epididymal adipose tissues in hypercaloric-diet-fed group were decreased (p < 0.05) by drinking LFWEs, especially in 5% LFWE-treated groups. Increased (p < 0.05) serum cholesterol and liver lipid levels were measured in hypercaloric-diet-fed rats. However, drinking LFWEs also decreased (p < 0.05) those levels to that similar to the NCD group, whereas drinking LFWEs resulted in higher (p < 0.05) faecal lipid concentrations. It also corresponded to the liver TNF-α and IL-1β values which were ameliorated (p < 0.05) in hypercaloric-diet-fed rats with LFWEs. Therefore, the result of this investigation match the anticipation, which LFWE indeed possesses a potential nutraceuticals for anti-obesity effects.     

Preventive effects of caffeic acid on lipids,lipoproteins and glycoproteins in isoproterenol induced myocardial infarcted rats

Dietary phenolic compound intake has been reported inversely related to the incidence of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this research was to understand the preventive effects of caffeic acid, a phenolic acid on lipids, lipoproteins and glycoprotein components in isoproterenol induced myocardial infarcted rats. Rats were pretreated with caffeic acid (15 mg/kg body weight) daily for a period of 10 days. After pretreatment, rats were induced myocardial infarction by subcutaneous injection of isoproterenol (100 mg/kg body weight). Isoproterenol induced myocardial infarcted rats showed significant (P < 0.05) decreased levels of heart phospholipids and significant (P < 0.05) increased levels of serum and heart cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids and serum phospholipids. Isoproterenol also significantly (P < 0.05) increased low density and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol and significantly (P < 0.05) decreased high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. The activity of liver 3-hydroxy-3methyl glutaryl-coenzyme-A-reductase was significantly (P < 0.05) increased and lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase activity was significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in isoproterenol induced myocardial infarcted rats. In addition, the levels of glycoprotein components in the serum and heart were significantly (P < 0.05) increased in myocardial infarcted rats. Pretreatment with caffeic acid positively altered all the above mentioned biochemical parameters studied in isoproterenol induced myocardial infarcted rats.In conclusion, caffeic acid protected the rat's heart from the deleterious effects of lipids, lipoproteins and glycoproteins by its antilipidemic and antiglycative effects in isoproterenol induced myocardial infarcted rats. A diet containing caffeic acid may be beneficial to myocardial infarction.     

Antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of polyphenol-rich litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.)-flower-water-extract on livers of high-fat-diet fed hamsters

Gentisic acid and epicatechin are two major compounds in phenolic acids and flavonoids of litchi-flower-water extracts (LFWEs), respectively. Increased (p < 0.05) serum lipids and liver size/lipid, damage/inflammatory indices, TBARS value, CRP level, MMP-9 activity, and decreased (p < 0.05) liver GSH and TEAC levels, and SOD, CAT and GSH-Px activities were observed in high-fat-diet fed hamsters compared to normal-fat-dietary hamsters. Those biochemical values of high-fat-diet fed hamsters were significant improved (p < 0.05) by drinking LFWEs. In addition, these improvements on liver damage induced by a high-fat diet were also evidenced in the histopathological examination of livers where less microvesicular steatosis and no necrotic/inflammatory cells were observed in high-fat-diet fed hamster drinking LFWEs. Therefore, protective effects of LFWEs on liver damage of high-fat-diet fed hamsters can be accounted for antioxidative properties and anti-inflammatory effects of LFWEs.     

Hypocholesterolemic effect of dietary evening primrose (Oenothera paradoxa) cake extract in rats

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of dietary evening primrose cake extract (E) on the lipid indices and lipid peroxidation products in growing rats fed cholesterol-free standard diet (S) or diets enriched with 1% cholesterol (C). All animals were divided into five groups of 10 and were fed during 4 weeks experimental diets: group (Gr) 1–standard diet (S); Gr 2–S diet supplemented with 1% E (S+1%E); Gr 3–with 1% C (S+1%C); Gr 4–S+1%C+0.5%E and Gr 5–S+1%C+1%E. Dietary E significantly decreased plasma total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) but did not change the high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) either in rats fed cholesterol-free or enriched-in-cholesterol diets. Plasma TC were 98.7, 81.3, 144.6, 114.5 and 99.1 mg 100 ml⁻¹, whereas LDL-C values were 19.4, 7.6, 77.2, 43.6 and 27.6 mg 100 ml⁻¹ in Groups 1–5, respectively. Supplementation of diet with E significantly elevated triglyceride and phospholipid concentrations in the liver; also 1% E with C (S+1%C+1%E) caused significant TC accumulation in the liver and elevated malondialdehyde concentrations in plasma and erythrocytes. In conclusion, this study demonstrates, for the first time, that evening primrose cake extract (E) possesses strong hypocholesterolemic action. Its antioxidative properties, especially in animals loaded with dietary cholesterol, are less clear and need further studies..     

Effect of cross-linking on the physicochemical and physiological properties of corn starch

Corn starch was chemically modified by cross-linking with STMP/STPP (99:1. w/w) and the physicochemical and physiological properties (in vitro and in vivo) of the cross-linked corn starch were investigated as a function of the degree of cross-linking. Cross-linking decreased the solubility, swelling factor, and paste clarity of corn starch. While the swelling factor was highly correlated with the degree of cross-linking (R² = 0.878), the X-ray diffraction patterns did not show any significant alteration in the crystallinity of corn starch. It was shown by SEM measurement that a black zone was observed on the surface of crossed-linked starch granules, which did not occur with native starch. When mice were fed the diets containing the corn starch with low (CLCS-5) and high (CLCS-12) degree of cross-linking (51.3 and 99.1%, respectively), significant effects on the final body weight, weight gain as well as perirenal weight of the mice (p < 0.05) were observed. Also, significant decreases in total lipid, triglyceride, and total cholesterol concentrations in serum were detected in CLCS-5 and CLCS-12 groups (p < 0.05). While total lipid level in the liver decreased with increasing degree of cross-linking, the triglyceride level was not affected by the supplementation with both of CLCS-5 and CLCS-12 corn starch samples.     

Effect of hydrolysis of casein by plasmin on the heat stability of milk

This study examined the effect of hydrolysis of casein by added plasmin (6 mg L⁻¹) on the heat stability of raw, pre-heated, serum protein-free or concentrated skim milk. Plasmin activity markedly affected the heat stability–pH profile of skim milk and serum protein-free milk, apparently by altering the properties of the casein micelles. It is probable that changes in the surface charge of the micelles, as a result of the hydrolysis of caseins, contributed to this effect. Hydrolysis by plasmin reduced the zeta-potential of the casein micelles from ∼−19 to ∼−16 mV. The effect of hydrolysis of casein by plasmin on the heat stability of pre-heated milk was less pronounced, shifting the heat stability–pH profile to more alkaline values; the heat stability of concentrated milk was unaffected by plasmin. A very high (50 mg L⁻¹) level of added plasmin resulted in clearing of the skim milk; the L^* value decreased from ∼75 to ∼35 after 24 h incubation at 37 °C. Clearing was correlated with a change in casein micelle diameter from an initial value of ∼175 to ∼250 nm. It is suggested that plasmin-induced changes in zeta-potential may promote micellar aggregation or changes in micelle stucture.     

Prediction of fatty acid composition using a NIRS fibre optics probe at two different locations of ham subcutaneous fat

NIR technology was used to analyze the fatty acid composition of fat tissue from conjugated linoleic acid fed pigs by direct application of a fibre optics probe on two different locations of subcutaneous fat. One hundred and fifty-three pigs were fed three different diets and the fatty acid profile of subcutaneous fat from Gluteus medius was analyzed using gas chromatography and FT-NIR in a longitudinal and transversal cut. Spectra were acquired using a Bruker Optics Matrix-F duplex spectrometer equipped with a fibre optics probe (IN-268-2). Total saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated together as well as oleic and stearic fatty acids were predicted accurately (R² > 0.70), myristic, and linoleic fatty acids were predicted with lower accuracy (0.60 < R² < 0.70), while palmitic, asclepic and α-linolenic fatty acids were poorly predicted (R² < 0.60). Results indicated that NIR technology has potential as a rapid tool to discriminate carcasses from animals fed diets with different fatty acid composition by a direct measurement on the fat from the ham.