Study on the influence of palm oil on blood and liver biochemical parameters, beta ‐carotene and tocochromanols content as well as antioxidant activity in rats

AbstractIn the ongoing discussion on the health properties of palm oil, a study of the effect a diet supplemented with palm oil on blood and liver biochemical parameters, beta ‐carotene and tocochromanols content as well as antioxidant activity was undertaken. Forty Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups, fed with a diet supplemented with plant‐based frying commercial fat, palm oil, 7.5% palm oil and 2.5% concentrate from palm oil and 10% of rapeseed oil, respectively. After 21 days, blood samples and livers were collected to determine beta‐carotene and tocochromanols concentrations, antioxidant activity using DPPH* radical scavenging activity and TEAC methods, insulin, glucagon, serum triacyloglycerols and cholesterol levels, glucose in blood ser um and glycogen in the livers. Research has shown valuable biological properties of palm oil in terms of plasma glucose, total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and triacylglycerol concentrations which was related to the high content of beta‐carotene and tocochromanols.Practical applicationPublic concern over the health properties of palm oil has been growing. Therefore, this study supplements existing knowledge in this area based on experimental rat observations. In the presented research, plasma glucose was significantly reduced and no additional growth of total or LDL cholesterol, as well as triacylglycerol concentration, was observed after consuming a palm oil ‐based diet. Palm oil ...
Source: Journal of Food Biochemistry - Category: Food Science Authors: Tags: FULL ARTICLE Source Type: research