CHOLESTEROL-LOWERING ACTIVITY OF LINEAR-TYPE AND GEL-TYPE SODIUM POLYACRYLATE AS DIETARY FIBER MODELS

Effects of linear- and gel-type (cross-linked) sodium polyacrylate and partially desalted sodium polyacrylates on serum cholesterol levels w ere investigated in rats fed cholesterol-free diets. Gel-type sodium p olyacrylate had the lowest serum cholesterol concentration among the e xperimental groups. In the case of partially desalted gel-type sodium polyacrylate, the serum cholesterol-lowering effect was not found. It was thought that the water-holding capacity caused the cholesterol-low ering activity. The linear-type sodium polyacrylate and partially desa lted ones reduced the serum cholesterol levels significantly (P<0.05). The effects of the degree of polymerization of linear-type sodium pol yacrylates on serum cholesterol levels were observed, but the differen ces among them were not significant (P<0.05). In the case of linear-ty pe sodium polyacrylate, their viscosity was more effective on choleste rol lowering than water-holding capacity was. Diets of 1% sodium polya crylates did not approximately affect the body weight gain and viscera l organ weight. (C) Elsevier Science Inc. 1997.