Sargassum aquifolium Juice Prevents Elevated Cholesterol Levels and Aortic Profile Damage in Rats Fed An Atherogenic Diet
Aulia Savira and Muhamad Firdaus

Study Program of Fishery Products Technology, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Brawijaya University

Abstract

Hypercholesterolemia is a condition in which blood cholesterol levels exceed normal conditions. This disorder can trigger atherosclerotic lesions of the aorta. Sargassum aquifolium is a brown seaweed that contains bioactive substances that can be used as a functional food to prevent hypercholesterolemia. The levels of these bioactive compounds can be obtained by slow juicing. This study aimed to prevent hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerotic lesions in rat aorta. S. aquifolium was obtained from Ekabuana Waters, Ekas Bay, East Lombok Islands, West Nusa Tenggara. Wistar rats (Rattus novergicus) were used as test animals for 2 to 3 months, weighing more or less 150g. Hypercholesterolemia is modelled by an atherogenic diet for six months. The phytochemical method is based on the Harborne method. The parameters observed were cholesterol levels and aortic profile. The statistical analysis used was diversity analysis and the Duncan follow-up test with a confidence interval of the same with 0.05. The results showed that S. aquifolium juice contained tannins, saponins and steroids. Experimental animals fed an atherogenic diet had elevated cholesterol and atherosclerotic lesions. The conclusion is administration of S. aquifolium juice twice a day could prevent increased cholesterol and atherosclerotic in rats treated with an atherogenic diet.

Keywords: Sargassum aquifolium, functional food, phytochemical, hypercholesterolemia, aortic profile

Topic: Fisheries Product Technology and Food Safety (International)