ovalbumin and galactomannan

This study seeks to improve the beneficial effects of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum L.) galactomannan (GM) in lowering the plasma lipid profile and weight. Three different combinations of diets were prepared with fenugreek GM--(a) fenugreek GM + water (GM); (b) fenugreek GM + sodium bicarbonate (GMB); and (c) fenugreek GM + bicarbonate + albumin (GMBA)--and their in vitro water retention capacity and in vivo lipid-lowering effect were studied. Distilled water and sodium bicarbonate were used as controls. The sodium bicarbonate significantly increased the in vitro water-holding capacity of fenugreek GM (49.1 +/- 8.7 vs. 21.6 +/- 0.9 g of water/g of dry weight, P < .01). Administration by oral intubation of the combination GMBA to male albino Wistar rats (250 mg/kg of body weight) over a 4-week period was the most effective in reducing body weight (-27.0 +/- 0.4%, P < .001). Within this period, the combinations GMBA and GMB brought about the most significant reduction in the levels of plasma total cholesterol (P < .005). The GMBA combination was also the most effective in reducing levels of plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < .001) and the atherogenicity indices. GM, GMB, and GMBA brought about significant (P < .01, .001, and .001, respectively) increases in the plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, with the highest increase coming with GMBA. A significant increase in plasma triglycerides (P < .05) was brought about by the GMBA combination, probably resulting from the rapid reduction of body weight observed. Food intake was reduced by GM, GMB, and GMBA, while water intake increased in that order. The GMB combination significantly reduced transit time (P < .01) compared to GM. On the other hand, GMB and GMBA improved glycemic control, compared to GM. We conclude that albumin and sodium bicarbonate have the ability to improve some beneficial physiological effects of fenugreek GM. This finding could have applications in the areas of human obesity, weight loss, and the control of blood lipids.

Topics: Animals; Blood Glucose; Cholesterol; Cholesterol, HDL; Cholesterol, LDL; Diet; Drinking; Eating; Galactose; Gastrointestinal Transit; Male; Mannans; Ovalbumin; Phytotherapy; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Seeds; Sodium Bicarbonate; Triglycerides; Trigonella; Water; Weight Loss

Protein-polysaccharide conjugate was prepared as a functional biopolymer using protein and polysaccharide via a Maillard-type reaction. Ovalbumin and lysozyme were conjugated with galactomannan under controlled heating and humidity conditions. The antioxidant effect of ovalbumin and the antimicrobial activity of lysozyme were enhanced by the glycosylation. The emulsifying properties of the egg protein were also significantly improved by the modification. The increase in lipid affinity due to the conjugation resulted in the enhancement of the radical scavenging ability of ovalbumin. The effectiveness of lysozyme and its glycosylated derivative in restricting the activity of a Gram-negative pathogen, Edwardsiella tarda in fish was also investigated.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antioxidants; Biopolymers; Carps; Crystallization; Edwardsiella; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Emulsions; Fish Diseases; Galactose; In Vitro Techniques; Lethal Dose 50; Maillard Reaction; Mannans; Muramidase; Mutagens; Ovalbumin; Rats