HYPOCHOLESTEROLEMIC POTENTIAL OF OAT BRAN TREATED WITH AN ENDO-BETA-D-GLUCANASE FROM BACILLUS-SUBTILIS

Oat bran was treated with endo-beta-D-glucanases to hydrolyze beta(1-- >3) (1-->4)-glucans. Hydrolysis of beta-glucans reduced the in vitro v iscosity of a suspension of oat bran. Untreated oat bran and hydrolyze d oat bran were incorporated into hypercholesterolemic purified diets and fed to rats for 4 wk; a diet containing cellulose was used as a co ntrol. Hepatic cholesterol accumulation was affected by dietary treatm ent and was less in the oat bran group than in the enzyme-treated oat bran or cellulose groups. Thus, functional properties of (1-->3) (1--> 4)-beta-D-glucan, such as viscosity, appear to be related to its hypoc holesterolemic potential.