Effect of Feeding Dried Egg Plant (Solanum Melonga L.) on Plasma Cholesterol.

Abstract

In a recent paper Roffo stated that egg plant (Solanum Melonga L.) has a decholes-terolizing effect in rabbits as well as in man. He also stated that it causes a diuresis. Hain-line has recently presented data which he interprets as showing a like effect in rats. Roffo has published graphs showing a decrease in serum cholesterol in rabbits. We were unable to find any data regarding his experiments with humans other than the statement that a like effect was noted. We have concluded that Hainline's interpretations are open to question, since a number of factors including trauma and infection were not controlled. Because of our interest in finding some substance that would decrease the plasma cholesterol it was decided to feed dried egg plant to healthy males to determine its effect. One hundred fifty pounds of fresh egg plant was dried in a regular tunnel type drier; i.e., the vegetable material was placed on trays and passed through the tunnel against a stream of air. Two stages of drying were used; i.e., in the first stage a temperature of 145°F was maintained and the moisture content of the vegetable was reduced to approximately 12%. The vegetables were then removed from the trays in the tunnel and put into drying bins. Here the moisture was reduced from approximately 12% to approximately 4% and heat, not in excess of 130° F; was applied. This resulted in 9.5 pounds of slices which were powdered. This powder was fed in doses of 12 g, and later 24 g a day, to six healthy males. Complete lipid fractionations on the blood plasma were done every third day for a control period of one week and throughout the experiment.