Effect of partially hydrolyzed oat beta-glucan on the weight gain and lipid profile of mice

Abstract

Oat beta-glucan hydrolysates with different molecular weights were prepared and their physicochemical, hypocholesterolemic, and weight-reducing characteristics were evaluated. The enzymatic hydrolysis by cellulase caused a decrease in the molecular weight of oat beta-glucan (1450-370 x 10(3) g/mol), which also affected swelling power and bile acid/fat binding capacities. In addition, mice were fed high-fat diet supplemented with beta-glucans with three different molecular weights (1450, 730, 370 x 10(3) g/mol). The diets treated with beta-glucans significantly reduced the body weight of the mice. However, the molecular weight of beta-glucans did not appear to significantly affect the serum lipid profile.