Change in the profiles lipid, digesta cholesterol and propionic acid of rats fed with of seaweed powder-based diets

Abstract

Community’s consumption pattern with high fat-low fiber has caused the prevalence of degenerative disease, i.e.cardivascular disease. Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is the first cause of death in Indonesia. Seaweed is a fiber rich food and has a hypocholesterolemic effect. Objectives of the research were to investigate the changes of lipid profiles, digesta cholesterol and propionic acid of rats fed with seaweed powder-based diet. Five groups of six male Sprague Dawley hypercolesterolemia rats were feed by 0% cholesterol and 0% seaweed powder (negative control); 1% cholesterol and 10% Eucheuma cottonii, 1% cholesterol and 10% Gelidium sp,1% cholesterol and 10% Sargassum sp, and 1% cholesterol and 0% seaweed powder (positive control) for 31 days. The experiment result showed that the seaweed powder did not have a significant effect (P>0,05) on the growth and feed consumption, and serum HDL (Hight Density Lipoprotein) but has a significant effect (P<0,05) on reduction of cholesterol total, LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein), triglycerides, and the increase in digested cholesterol. The seaweed powder effected the level of propionate acids, though were significantly different only for the group with 1% cholesterol and 10% Gelidium sp. The addition of E. cottonii produced a better hypocholesterolemic effect than that of Gelidium sp and Sargassum sp.

Key words :, seaweed powder, cholesterol, propionic acid.