Provitamin A Cassava Hydrolysate with Lactobacillus rhamnosus Gg Improves Serum Lipid Profile in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Abstract Objectives There is considerable interest in the development of high quality food products and dietary supplements that help in weight management. Drug intervention could have a negative side effect. Consumption of probiotics such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG cells through food products could offer a positive approach to weight management. Thus, probiotic beverages could serve as a healthy alternative in weight management. The objective of this study is to determine the effect of probiotic beverage such as provitamin A cassava hydrolysate carrying Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG in weight management. Methods Provitamin A cassava hydrolysate was inoculated with free (PHF) or alginate-encapsulated (PHE) Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) cells in doses 1, 2 or 4 × 1010 CFU/ml, and administered orally to adult Wistar rats (120–150 g, n = 40 males, 8 groups). All rats were dosed orally once daily for 4 weeks, recording weekly body weight changes as percentage change, and compared against Control (distilled water). Serum lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides and high density lipoprotein) were determined after sacrificing the rats. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA at α0.05. Results The body weight gain in control rats was significantly higher (α0.05) by the end of the 4th week (40.00%) than PHF or PHE groups at doses 1, 2 or 4 × 1010 CFU/ml (34.59, 24.38 and 8.04%, or 30.34, 23.49 and 18.24% respectively) which reduced with increasing doses. Total cholesterol, triglycerides and high density lipoprotein were higher in control rats (65.40, 56.60 and 29.48 mg/dL respectively) than in PHF or PHE groups at dose 4 × 1010 CFU/ml (54.60, 44.40 and 27.48 mg/dL, and 62.40, 46.60 and 23.12 mg/dL respectively). Conclusions Provitamin A cassava hydrolysate with L. rhamnosus GG was able to induce a transient weight reduction in rats, owing to its potential in reducing serum cholesterol and exerting anti-obesity effect. Thus it could be consumed as a beverage targeting weight management. Funding Sources Self.