Analysis of the General Components of Acorns and Effects of Acorn Extracts and High-Fat Diet Supplements on the Blood Lipid Factor and Cytokine Levels in Mice

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of acorn powder and starch on the blood parameters of mice fed a high-fat diet. The moisture, crude ash, crude protein, and crude fat contents of acorns were 37.99±0.37%, 1.61±0.06%, 4.36±0.18% and 3.22±0.15%, respectively. Acorn powder and starch contains antioxidant minerals such as selenium and zinc. The iron content was significantly higher in acorn powder than in acorn starch (p<0.05). The total cholesterol concentration was 148.50±29.72 mg/dL in the high-fat starch diet (HFS) group, while in the high-fat diet (HF) group it was 201.50±39.15 mg/dL (p<0.05). Serum LDL-cholesterol concentrations were significantly lower in the HFS group (50.50±10.79 mg/dL) than in the HF group (62.00±20.85 mg/dL; p<0.05). The serum IL-1β levels in mice were not significantly different between the groups. IL-10 levels were higher in the HFP group than other groups. There is a need for strong recognition that acorns are good ingredients worldwide. It is required to develop various products using acorn powder and starch powder. There is also a need for a strategy to globalize food using acorns.