HYPOCHOLESTEROLEMIC EFFECTS OF PROTEIN-CONCENTRATES FROM 3 CHINESE INDIGENOUS LEGUME SEEDS

The hypocholesterolemic effect of the protein concentrates (PCs) prepa red from Phaseolus angularis, Phaseolus calcaratus, and Dolichos labla b seeds relative to that of casein were studied in hamsters. Male Gold en Syrian hamsters were fed test diets containing these proteins at 12 % level for 30 days. As compared with casein, the three legume PCs pro duced significantly lower (p < 0.05) levels of triglyceride and total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the blood serum as well as lower liver total lipids and cholesterol contents, except that P. angu laris PC gave a only nonsignificantly slight decrease in the serum tot al cholesterol. Moreover, only the PC of P. calcaratus gave a signific antly higher (p < 0.05) level of serum high-density lipoprotein choles terol. Generally, the PCs of P. calcaratus and D. lablab seemed to be more potent at lowering raised serum cholesterol levels than that of P . angularis.