Does Processing have a Considerable Effect on the Nutritional and Functional Properties of Mung Bean (Vigna Radiata)?

Mung bean is an important grain legume which is rich in nutrients and other bioactive compounds with many beneficial physiological effects. However, the effect of processing on properties of mung bean has not been widely studied in Sri Lanka. In the current study, effect of processing (boiling and sprouting) on some nutritional and functional properties of mung bean was investigated in comparison with raw mung bean. Mung bean seeds (Vigna radiata), varity MI6 were obtained from the Government Seed Center, Dambulla, Sri Lanka. Proximate composition, gross energy, insoluble dietary fibre (IDF) and soluble dietary fibre (SDF) contents,total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), α-amylase inhibition capacity, DPPH and ABTS scavenging activities were determined. Crude Protein (CP) content of boiled mung bean was significantly (p<0.05) lower than that of raw mung bean while it was significantly (p<0.05) higher in sprouted mung bean than raw mung bean. Crude fat content (CF) was significantly (p< 0.05) lower in sprouted mung bean when compared to raw mung bean. IDF contents in raw mung bean was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that in sprouted and boiled mung bean whereas, SDF content in boiled and sprouted mung bean were significantly (p<0.05) higher than that in raw mung bean.processing significantly (p<0.05) reduced antioxidant activity and total phenol content compared to raw mung bean. However, flavonoids could only be detected in sprouted mung bean. Further, α-amylase inhibition in sprouted mung bean was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that in boiled mung bean. In conclusion, processing (boiling and sprouting) influences the CP content, CF content, dietary fibre content, antioxidant capacity, α-amylase inhibition and fermentation ability in mung bean.     

Comparison of the Effects of Roasted and Boiled Red Kidney Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) on Glucose/Lipid Metabolism and Intestinal Immunity in a High‐Fat Diet‐Induced Murine Obesity Model

Consumption of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is associated with beneficial effects on lipid and glucose metabolism; however, the influence of the bean processing method on these health benefits is not well understood. To investigate this, we processed red kidney beans (RKBs), a variety of the common bean, by roasting and boiling and compared the physiological effects of the two preparations in male C57BL/6N mice fed a high‐fat diet (HFD). The two RKB preparations differed mainly in their resistant starch content (roasted, 24.5%; boiled, 3.1%). Four groups of mice were fed for 12 weeks on a normal diet or a HFD (45 kcal% fat) supplemented with 10% control chow (HFD control group), 10% roasted RKB, or 10% freeze‐dried boiled RKB. We found that intake of roasted RKBs prevented hypercholesterolemia and increased fecal IgA and mucin content compared with the HFD control group, while intake of boiled RKBs improved glucose tolerance. Both RKB preparations suppressed the HFD‐associated increase in plasma aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels, which are markers of liver injury. Mice fed roasted RKBs showed significantly increased hepatic expression of cholesterol 7‐alpha‐monooxygenase mRNA, suggesting that cholesterol suppression may be due to enhanced bile acid biosynthesis. In contrast, mice fed boiled RKBs showed significantly increased cecal content of n‐butyric acid, which may be related to the improved glucose tolerance in this group. These results indicate that the method by which RKBs are processed can profoundly affect their health benefits.     

Feeding differently processed soya bean Part 3. Effect on serum constituents and bone mineralization in the chicken

The effect of feeding differently processed soya bean on serum constituents and bone mineralization in the chicken was investigated in growing chickens. The response parameters were total serum protein (TSP), albumin, globulin, albumin: globulin ratio and urea. Others were phosphorus, calcium and calcium: phosphorus ratio in the tibia and femur. The results indicated that TSP was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the heat processed soya bean diets but decreased in the chicks fed raw soya bean diet. Albumin and globulin were not significantly affected. However, albumin: globulin ratio was significantly (P < 0.05) influenced. Serum urea was generally higher (P < 0.05) in the chicks fed processed soya bean diets. Significant (P < 0.01) decrease was observed in the total ash [%] of the bones in the chickens fed raw soya bean diet. The phosphorus [%] and Ca:P ratio in both tibia and femur were not significantly affected by dietary treatments.     

High apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids in raw and germinated faba bean (Vicia faba)‐ and chickpea (Cicer arietinum)‐based diets for rats

The effects of germinated faba bean (Vicia faba minor var Alameda)‐ and chickpea (Cicer arietinum kabuli var Athenas)‐based diets on performance, N utilisation, amino acid ileal digestibility and plasma concentrations were studied in growing male Wistar rats. Raw and germinated faba bean and chickpea seed meals were incorporated in essential amino acid‐supplemented and energy‐equalised diets as the only sources of protein. A lactalbumin‐based diet equalised in protein (100 g kg^?1) and digestible energy (15.5 kJ g^?1) with the test diets was used as control. Weight gains, gain/feed ratios, N retention and NPU values of animals fed raw or germinated legumes were lower than those of rats given the control (lactalbumin) diet, while faecal dry weights were higher. However, N retention and NPU values of rats fed germinated faba bean diets were higher and faecal dry weights lower than those of animals fed non‐germinated faba bean diets. Liver and thymus fresh and dry relative weights were lower than controls for all legume diets, whilst small intestine, caecum and colon relative weights were higher than controls for non‐germinated faba beans and chickpeas either germinated or not. Caecum and colon fresh and dry relative weights of rats fed germinated faba bean seeds were lower than those of rats fed non‐germinated faba beans and not different from controls. Except for aspartic acid and proline in rats fed raw faba bean diets, apparent ileal digestibilities of amino acids were not different or higher in rats fed legume diets as compared with controls. Except for arginine, apparent ileal amino acid digestibility was higher for germinated than for non‐germinated faba bean seeds. The amounts of glycine, arginine and ornithine in plasma significantly increased whilst those of threonine, alanine, leucine and lysine decreased with respect to controls in faba bean‐ or chickpea‐fed rats, either germinated or not. We conclude that (a) germination of faba bean seeds gave rise to a significant (P < 0.01) but limited improvement in performance, N retention and apparent ileal digestibilities of some amino acids in growing rats compared with non‐germinated seeds, while there was no detectable effect in the case of germinated chickpea seeds, and (b) the apparent ileal amino acid digestibility of essential amino acid‐supplemented diets based on faba bean or chickpea meals, either germinated or not, is similar or even higher than controls. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Exocrine Pancreatic Secretions in Young Pigs Fed Diets Containing Faba Beans (Vicia faba) and Peas (Pisum sativum): Nitrogen,Protein and Enzyme Secretions

Two experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of feeding diets containing faba beans and peas on pancreatic secretions in young pigs fitted with a pancreatic pouch re-entrant cannula. In Experiment 1, eight barrows, with an average initial weight of 8·5 kg, were fed one of two maize starch-based diets formulated to contain 200 g crude protein (CP) kg⁻¹ according to a completely randomised design. In one of the diets, soya bean meal was the sole protein source; in the other diet, soya bean meal and faba beans (cv Fibro; dark-flowering) each supplied 50% of the dietary CP. In Experiment 2, five barrows, with an average initial weight of 18·1 kg, were fed one of two diets according to a two-period change-over design. The diets were formulated to contain 150 g CP kg⁻¹ with peas (cv Ascona or cv Radley) as the sole protein source. In both experiments, the experimental periods consisted of 8 days: 6 days adaptation followed by a 2 day collection of pancreatic juice. The soya bean meal diet and the faba bean diet contained 0.04 and 0.21% tannins (catechin equivalents), respectively. The trypsin inhibitor activities of the Ascona and Radley pea diets were 0·76 and 3·24 mg of trypsin inhibited per gram, respectively. In both experiments, diet did not affect ( P> 0·05) the pancreatic secretions of nitrogen, protein, amylase, lipase and chymotrypsin. In Experiment 1, specific trypsin activity was higher ( P< 0·05) in pancreatic juice from pigs fed the diet containing soya bean meal and faba beans (53700 units litre⁻¹) than for those fed the soya bean meal diet (41200 units litre⁻¹). However, there was no effect ( P> 0·05) when trypsin activity was expressed as total activity (units 24 h⁻¹). It is concluded that the inclu-sion of faba beans and peas in diets for young pigs has only minor effects on exocrine pancreatic secretions.     

PROCESSING AND FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES OF YAM BEANS (SPHENOSTYLIS STENOCARPA)

The proximate and selected functional properties of five flours from yam bean (YB) made after the grains were not processed (raw) and processed as boiled, fermented, roasted and malted, were determined. The functional properties were water and fat absorption, gelation, emulsification and whippability. An improvement was observed for protein content of flours processed beans compared to raw flour. Fermentation improved the oil content of the flour. The emulsifying and foaming capacities (50.7 and 40.20%, respectively) observed for raw flour were significantly higher than those for the flours from processed bean. Gelation was significantly (P < 0.05) increased and decreased by fermentation and malting of the bean, respectively. The water absorption capacities ranged from 131.9% in raw flour to 218.8% in flour boiled beans. There were no significant (P > 0.05) differences in the fat absorption capacities of all flours except for the one of fermented beans (0.40 mL/g), which was significantly lower than the value (0.73 mL/g) obtained for the flour from boiled beans. Although a high foaming capacity was observed for raw flour, it was less stable when compared with that of the processed bean flours. Overall, YB flour was found to exhibit good functional properties, and has a great potential for use as an ingredient in selected food systems.     

Feeding differently processed soya bean Part 1. Effect on performance,protein utilization,relative organ weights,carcass traits and economics of producing broiler-chickens

The comparative utilization of differently processed (roasted, cooked and oil cake) soya bean base diets and groundnut cake diet were evaluated in a feeding trial using 100 day-old Anak broiler-chicks. The response criteria included performance, protein utilization, relative organ weights, carcass traits and economy of production. At the end of the feeding trial, the average weight gains of chicks fed processed soya bean diets were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those fed groundnut cake and raw soya bean diets. Both feed consumption and efficiency were significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced by processing. For example, feed consumption was highest in the chicks fed soya bean oil cake and least in those fed raw bean. Feed efficiency was best in chicks fed roasted soya bean. The relative weights [g/100g body wt.] of the liver, kidneys, lungs, heart, gizzard and bursa were not significantly affected by the differently processed soya bean while the raw bean (unprocessed) significantly (P < 0.01) increased pancreas weight. The dressed weight [%], eviscerated weight [%] and the relative weight of the thigh, drumsticks, chest, back and head were not significantly influenced by the dietary treatments. However, the relative weights of the shank and belly fat were significantly (P < 0.05) affected. Cost-benefit analysis showed that the processed soya bean gave higher profit than groundnut cake diet. Among the soya bean diets, profit was in the order: roasted > cooked > oil cake > raw bean.     

Feeding differently processed soya bean. Part 3. Effect on serum constituents and bone mineralization in the chicken.

The effect of feeding differently processed soya bean on serum constituents and bone mineralization in the chicken was investigated in growing chickens. The response parameters were total serum protein (TSP), albumin, globulin, albumin:globulin ratio and urea. Others were phosphorus, calcium and calcium:phosphorus ratio in the tibia and femur. The results indicated that TSP was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the heat processed soya bean diets but decreased in the chicks fed raw soya bean diet. Albumin and globulin were not significantly affected. However, albumin:globulin ratio was significantly (P < 0.05) influenced. Serum urea was generally higher (P < 0.05) in the chicks fed processed soya bean diets. Significant (P < 0.01) decrease was observed in the total ash [%] of the bones in the chickens fed raw soya bean diet. The phosphorus [%] and Ca:P ratio in both tibia and femur were not significantly affected by dietary treatments.     

Dietary effects on growth,liver peroxides,and serum and lipoprotein lipids in rats fed a thermoxidised and polymerised sunflower oil

The effect on food intake, weight gain, liver lipid peroxides, lipemia and lipoprotein composition was determined in rats fed a diet with 15% sunflower oil used repeatedly for frying and containing ∽19% polar material (group 2). These dietary effects were compared over a 4 week study period with those found in rats fed a control diet that contained 15% unused sunflower oil with ∽5% polar material (group 1). Both groups had similar food and nutrient intakes (except for linoleic acid, significantly lower (P<0·01) in group 2), yet the final weight gain and food efficiency and protein efficiency ratios were significantly lower in group 2. As a consequence of thermoxidised oil ingestion, liver homogenates from group 2 presented higher (P<0·02) levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) Liver TBARS levels were significantly correlated (P<0·01) with the amount of thermoxidised substances ingested. No treatment effect was found on VLDL lipid composition. However, the LDL fraction of group 2 animals appears enriched (P<0·05) in total and free cholesterol. In group 2 rats, phospholipids, and total and esterified cholesterol were significantly increased (P<0·05) in HDL. As a consequence of the changes in the lipoprotein composition, the amount of all forms of serum cholesterol, and serum phospholipids was significantly higher (at least P<0·05) while the amount of serum triacylglycerols remained unchanged in rats fed the used oil. HDL-phospholipids were significantly correlated (P<0·02) with the amount of thermoxidised compounds ingested. The increase in serum cholesterol and phospholipids, and in HDL-cholesterol and HDL-phospholipid concentration seens in group 2 rats may be a protective mechanism against the peroxidative stress produced by the ingestion of used sunflower oil. © 1998 SCI.     

Rice Protein Isolates Produced by the Two Different Methods Lower Serum Cholesterol Concentration in Rats Compared with Casein

Highly purified rice protein isolates (RPI) were prepared by an alkaline extraction–acid precipitation method (E-RPI) and by an α-amylase treatment to remove starch (T-RPI). Biological values of these RPI were significantly lower than that of casein. Serum cholesterol concentrations were compared among groups of rats fed (per kg diet) 200, 300 or 400 g E-RPI, 400 g T-RPI, 250 or 400 g casein kg⁻¹ or 400 g soya bean protein isolate (SPI). With all the diets containing 400 g protein kg⁻¹ diet, growth rates of rats were the same. At this level, E-RPI, T-RPI and SPI diets produced significantly lower serum cholesterol concentrations than the casein diet. Faecal bile acid plus neutral steroid excre-tion was significantly higher in rats fed the 400 g kg⁻¹ T-RPI or 400 g kg⁻¹ SPIdiets compared with rats fed the 400 g kg⁻¹ casein diet. On the other hand, the 400 g kg⁻¹ E-RPI diet did not increase steroid excretion. Plasma cholesterol concentrations in rats fed diets with amino acid mixtures simulating SPI and E-RPI were also significantly lower than that of rats fed the diet with an amino acid mixture simulating casein even though the faecal excretions of total bile acids were the same amongst groups. These results support the view that RPI are hypocholesterolaemic relative to casein and at least the hypocholesterolaemic effects of E-RPI would be independent of interruption of the enterohepatic circulation of endogenous steroids.     

Feeding differently processed soya bean. Part 1. Effect on performance, protein utilization, relative organ weights, carcass traits and economics of producing broiler-chickens.

The comparative utilization of differently processed (roasted, cooked and oil cake) soya bean base diets and groundnut cake diet were evaluated in a feeding trial using 100 day-old Anak broiler-chicks. The response criteria included performance, protein utilization, relative organ weights, carcass traits and economy of production. At the end of the feeding trial, the average weight gains of chicks fed processed soya bean diets were significantly (P less than 0.05) higher than those fed groundnut cake and raw soya bean diets. Both feed consumption and efficiency were significantly (P less than 0.05) enhanced by processing. For example, feed consumption was highest in the chicks fed soya bean oil cake and least in those fed raw bean. Feed efficiency was best in chicks fed roasted soya bean. The relative weights [g/100 g body wt.] of the liver, kidneys, lungs, heart, gizzard and bursa were not significantly affected by the differently processed soya bean while the raw bean (unprocessed) significantly (P less than 0.01) increased pancreas weight. The dressed weight [%], eviscerated weight [%] and the relative weight of the thigh, drumsticks, chest, back and head were not significantly influenced by the dietary treatments. However, the relative weights of the shank and belly fat were significantly (P less than 0.05) affected. Cost-benefit analysis showed that the processed soya bean gave higher profit than groundnut cake diet. Among the soya bean diets, profit was in the order: roasted greater than cooked greater than oil cake greater than raw bean.     

Production responses and serum lipid concentration of broiler chickens fed diets based on oat bran and extracted oat bran with and without enzyme supplementation

Broiler chickens were fed diets based on oat bran or oat bran that had been extracted with ethanol in order to remove tocotrienols and other ethanol-soluble components. The diets were fed ad libitum with and without a supplementary fibre degrading enzyme, except for the enzyme-supplemented diet based on oat bran which was fed at a restricted level equal to the intake of chickens fed the corresponding unsupplemented diet. Enzyme supplementation dramatically improved chicken live weights and feed conversion efficiencies and also feed intake for those fed ad libitum. Chickens fed the unsupplemented diets had low and similar serum triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations whereas birds fed enzyme-supplemented diets had higher serum cholesterol concentrations. Results obtained indicate that, in the present study, the dietary fibre (mainly soluble mixed-linked (1→3), (1→4)-β-D-glucans) had a greater influence on serum cholesterol concentrations than tocotrienols and other ethanol-soluble components, which were effectively extracted by the procedure employed. The importance of meal frequency was also demonstrated by the high triglyceride and serum cholesterol concentrations obtained for chickens fed on a restricted basis.     

Plasma total,lipoprotein cholesterol,organs cholesterol and growth performance in rats fed dietary gum arabic

Thirty two male Wistar rats with initial body weight ranging from 45 to 55 g were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments. Rats were fed with ad libitum access diets containing 7.5% as cellulose or gum arabic with or without 1% added cholesterol for five weeks. Final body weight, body weight gain and feed efficiency ratio were comparable in all groups. Within cholesterol-fed groups, the cholesterol concentration of plasma was significantly lower in rats fed diet supplemented with gum arabic compared with those fed cellulose. Among cholesterol-fed groups, liver cholesterol was significantly higher in the group fed diet supplemented with gum arabic compared with those fed cellulose. In rats fed cholesterol-free diets, the cholesterol levels of plasma, LDL, HDL and liver were comparable.     

Nutritional quality of storage proteins during germination of Indian bean (Dolichos lablab. var. lignosus) seeds

The dry Indian bean seed composed of starch is the major component (33%) and protein accounted for 25% of dry weight. The ability of germination to increase the nutritional quality of storage proteins was studied by germinating the Indian bean seeds for 0, 8, 16, 24 and 32 h and evaluated the nutritional quality through an in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD), protein efficiency ratio (PER), apparent and true digestibility. The IVPD of raw Indian bean seeds by pepsin alone was 60.12% and the digestibility by pepsin and trypsin together improved to 64.24%. The in vitro digestibility by both processes increased appreciably with germination and marked increase was noticed in the early stage of germination. The PER values followed the same pattern as the value of weight gain of rats fed with diets containing raw and germinated Indian bean. The lowest PER values were observed with raw bean diet. However, the value increased in rats fed with diets of Indian bean germinated for different intervals of time, reaching comparable PER values with the group maintained on casein diet. The true and apparent nitrogen digestibility of raw bean low being only 82 and 72%, respectively observed with casein diet. Diets with germinated bean protein showed a marked increase in both parameters, although the values were still less than that displayed by the casein fed rats. Germination is a simple biochemical enrichment tool and significantly improves palatability, digestibility and the nutritive utilisation of proteins in Indian bean seeds.     

加工方式对绿豆蛋白亚基和功能性质的影响

绿豆中蛋白质含量高,氨基酸种类丰富,是一种具有较强加工适用性的优质蛋白质资源。本实验以绿豆为材料,对绿豆进行蒸制、煮制两种不同热处理,用碱提酸沉法提取绿豆蛋白,并对其进行结构和功能性质的测定。结果表明：随着热处理时间的延长,蒸制和煮制的绿豆蛋白中大分子蛋白亚基条带灰度均变浅,即大分子质量蛋白含量均减少,分子质量为57.5 kDa的8S球蛋白亚基条带逐渐消失。两种处理相比,煮制绿豆蛋白增加了一条分子质量为35.4 kDa的条带。两种处理绿豆蛋白的持水性、持油性、乳化性、乳化稳定性均随处理时间延长不断提高,且蒸制绿豆蛋白优于煮制;而起泡性、泡沫稳定性、溶解性随处理时间延长呈先上升后下降的趋势,在20～25 min时性能最佳,蒸制绿豆蛋白的性能较好,起泡性、泡沫稳定性、溶解度分别为25.6%、77.1%、13.6%。本研究为绿豆蛋白的改性提供理论依据,对提高绿豆蛋白在食品行业中的应用以及绿豆产品的精深加工具有参考意义。     

African yam bean hull chemical composition and its effects on rat′s mineral retention,serum biochemical components and enzymatic activities

The influence of yam bean hull on rat's mineral metabolism, serum composition and enzymatic activities was investigated. The chemical composition of the bean's hull shows a reasonably high crude protein (11.4%) but very low contents of crude fat (2.6%), phytic acid (82 mg/ 100 g) and phytin-phosphorus (23 mg/100 g). K and Ca are the major minerals present in yam bean hull. The hull, rich in cell wall polysac-charides, is composed of cellulose (35.4%), non-cellulose fractions made of pectin and hemicellulose put together (41.9%) and lignin (3.6%). The growth and feed conversion efficiency of rats fed yam bean hull diet were significantly better than rats fed pure cellulose and cellulose-free diets. Conversely, the metabolizable energy of yam bean hull diet (16.4 MJ/kg) was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than that of either cellulose-free (17.8 MJ/kg) or pure cellulose diet (17 MJ/kg). The retention of the minerals examined, except for Ca, was lower when the hull was included in diet as compared to the control (fibre-free) diet. The fibre containing diets decreased serum cholesterol, glutamic oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT) and glutamic pyruvate transaminase (SGPT). Yam bean hull had no effect on packed cell volume and serum total protein.     

The effects of feeding conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on rat growth performance,serum lipoproteins and subsequent lipid composition of selected rat tissues

Four groups of 12 albino rats (six males and six females), at 4 weeks of age, were fed for 60 days a semi‐synthetic diet containing graded amounts of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA; 0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5%) to determine its effect on growth performance and serum lipoprotein profiles and its incorporation into abdominal and muscle lipids. Rats fed CLA responded by significantly improved body mass gains; however, this effect was observed only with the 1.0% CLA‐supplemented diet. It was also true for feed conversion efficiency. The changes in serum total cholesterol (TC) and HDL cholesterol concentrations were insignificant and showed an opposite pattern. However, the resulting HDL cholesterol/TC ratio was significantly (P ≤ 0.01) increased. At the same time, serum triacylglycerol (TAG) concentrations were significantly (P ≤ 0.01) elevated, thus counteracting the potential antiatherogenicity of the improved HDL cholesterol/TC ratio. Feeding CLA to rats resulted in its substantial incorporation into both abdominal and muscle lipids. Generally, tissue lipids were enriched with CLA at the expense of long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, eg linoleate and arachidonate. This effect is likely to correspond with reduction of arachidonate‐derived eicosanoid synthesis. These data together suggest that CLA has a potent effect on lipid transport and metabolism in rats. Also, they confirm the potential of nutritional methods to provide CLA‐enriched functional animal products, especially meat, for human consumption. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

膳食蛋白质与大鼠脂质代谢关系的研究

通过给予SD种Ⅱ级雄性大鼠4种不同蛋白质的高脂合成饲料,研究不同来源膳食蛋白质对脂质代谢的影响及其机理探讨。结果显示,大豆蛋白组和谷豆混合蛋白组血清TC、LDL-C、(VLDL-C+LDL-C)/TC明显低于酪蛋白组(P＜0.05),而血清HDL-C、HDL-C/TC明显高于酪蛋白组(P＜0.05)。谷类蛋白组LDL-C也明显低于酪蛋白组(P＜0.05),HDL-C明显高于酪蛋白组(P＜.05)。谷类蛋白与大豆蛋白混合后,其生物利用率提高,调节血脂的作用增强。提示大豆蛋白尤其谷豆混合蛋白有预防AS形成作用。     

Effects of highly purified sardine proteins on lipid peroxidation and reverse cholesterol transport in rats fed a cholesterol-rich diet

The effect of highly purified sardine proteins was compared with that of casein on serum and lipoproteins lipid peroxidation and reverse cholesterol transport. Lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity, high density lipoproteins (HDL₂ and HDL₃) composition and serum lipid and lipoproteins peroxidation were determined in rats fed a cholesterol-rich diet. Hypercholesterolemic rats were divided into two groups fed diets enriched with cholesterol and containing 20% of highly purified sardine proteins (SPc) or casein (CASc) for 28 days. A control group was fed a standard diet (CAS). Compared with CAS and CASc, the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) concentrations of low density lipoprotein (LDL)–HDL₁ in SPc were 3.5- and 1.7-fold higher compared with casein diets. TBARS in HDL₂ and HDL₃ were, respectively, 2.3- and 1.6-fold lower in SPc compared with CASc. In SPc group, LCAT activity was higher compared to CASc and CAS (P < 0.05). Purified sardine proteins had no beneficial effects on LDL-cholesterol and lipid peroxidation. However, they reduced HDL oxidation and improved reverse cholesterol transport, in the hypercholesterolemic rat.     

Cholesterol Lowering Activity of Ropy Fermented Milk

The effect of ropy fermented milk on serum cholesterol in rats was studied. Basic diets containing slime-forming Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris SBT 0495, its non slime-forming variant SBT 1275, and acidified reconstituted skim milk, with 0.5% cholesterol added, were fed to F-344 rats for 7 days. Serum cholesterol level of rats fed the ropy fermented milk were the lowest among the three treatments. The serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio of rats fed ropy fermented milk was the highest. Slime materials produced by L. lactis subsp. cremoris SBT 0495 had a beneficial effect on rat cholesterol metabolism.