Hypocholesterolaemic and prebiotic effect of partially hydrolysed psyllium husk supplemented yoghurt

• Partially hydrolysed psyllium husk (PHPH) supplemented yoghurt possessed bio-functional properties.
• PHPH reduced the total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and atherogenic index in hypercholesterolaemic rats.
• Thus, PHPH retained the hypocholesterolaemic effect of native psyllium husk.
• PHPH showed prebiotic effect as it easily fermented in colon and produced SCFA which supported the growth of lactobacilli.
• PHPH can be supplemented in yoghurt in quantity per serving recommended for claiming health benefits of psyllium husk.

Wistar rats fed with partially hydrolysed psyllium husk (PHPH) supplemented yoghurt for 60 days showed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease of 10.6% in triacylglycerol level (TGs), 16.2% in total cholesterol (TC), 53.01% in low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and an increase of 25.49% in high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol in their blood. In addition, short chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentration and lactobacilli count in the faecal matter of PHPH supplemented yoghurt fed rat group were high compared to the faecal matter of the native psyllium husk supplemented yoghurt fed rat group and other control groups (positive, negative and test control). Results showed that psyllium husk retained its hypocholesterolaemic property on partial hydrolysis besides the increase in its prebiotic effect. Therefore, the biofunctional effect of PHPH on cardiovascular and gut health (by qualitatively changing the gut microbiota) can be accounted for hypocholesterolaemic and prebiotic effects, respectively.