Effects of Rice Bran Oil Enriched with n-3 PUFA on Liver and Serum Lipids in Rats

Lipase-catalyzed interesterification was used to
prepare different structured lipids (SL) from rice bran oil
(RBO) by replacing some of the fatty acids with a-linolenic
acid (ALA) from linseed oil (LSO) and n-3 long chain
polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) from cod liver oil
(CLO). In one SL, the ALA content was 20% whereas in
another the long chain n-3 PUFA content was 10%. Most
of the n-3 PUFA were incorporated into the sn-1 and sn-3
positions of triacylglycerol. The influence of SL with RBO
rich in ALA and EPA ? DHA was studied on various lipid
parameters in experimental animals. Rats fed RBO showed
a decrease in total serum cholesterol by 10% when compared
to groundnut oil (GNO). Similarly structured lipids
with CLO and LSO significantly decreased total serum
cholesterol by 19 and 22% respectively compared to rice
bran oil. The serum TAGs level of rats fed SLs and blended
oils were also significantly decreased by 14 and 17%
respectively compared to RBO. Feeding of an n-3 PUFA
rich diet resulted in the accumulation of long chain n-3
PUFA in various tissues and a reduction in the long chain
n-6 PUFA. These studies indicate that the incorporation of
ALA and EPA ? DHA into RBO can offer health benefits.