Hypolipidemic effect of enzymatically extracted sunflower seed protein fraction

An attempt was made to enzymatically extract the protein fraction (PF) from sunflower seeds and investigate its dietary effect on the growth, plasma a nd tissue lipid profiles, plasma protein content, erythrocyte membrane lipi d profile and organ weights of rats. Extraction of dehulled sunflower seeds in an aqueous medium in the presence of the enzyme pectinase at 50 +/- 1 d egreesC and pH 4.5 yielded a protein fraction with low residual chlorogenic acid and fibre contents. Rats fed the sunflower seed protein fraction show ed a similar body weight gain and food efficiency ratio as rats fed casein. However, the different dietary proteins had different effects on plasma to tal cholesterol and triglyceride contents. The rats fed the sunflower seed protein fraction showed a significant decrease in plasma cholesterol (p < 0 .02) and triglyceride (P < 0.02) concentrations compared to the casein-fed rats. The RE-fed rats also exhibited a significant difference in erythrocyt e membrane phospholipids and phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylethanolamine r atio. Rats fed the different dietary proteins did not show much variation i n plasma protein content, liver and brain lipids and organ weights. These r esults demonstrate the hypolipidemic action of the sunflower seed protein f raction and that it can be considered a suitable edible protein like casein . (C) 2000 Society of Chemical Industry.