Effect of the red seaweed Mastocarpus stellatus intake on lipid metabolism and antioxidant status in healthy Wistar rats.

Health-promoting effect of dietary supplementation with the red seaweed Mastocarpus stellatus was studied. Its major component is dietary fibre (31.7/100 g dry weight), 72% as soluble fibre, mainly formed by carrageenans, sulphated-galactans of red seaweeds. Thus, rats were fed either a basal- or an algal-supplemented diet (10%). Then, lipid metabolism was assessed in serum, and reducing power measured in serum and caecum by FRAP method. Also, caecal pH was monitored and short chain fatty acids analysed by gas-liquid chromatography. Seaweed intake reduced significantly triglycerides and total cholesterol in healthy rats, but not atherogenic index. Also, a significant increase in caecal moisture and proportion of acetic and propionic acids was obtained but no clear prebiotic effect was shown. Sulphated-galactans seemed to be related to the antioxidant status improvement in caecum and also to the 1.7-fold increase in anticoagulant capacity of plasma. Therefore, Mastocarpus could be regarded as a source of functional ingredients but its health benefits need to be further explored depending on specific use.