Effect of partially hydrolyzed oat β-glucan on the weight gain and lipid profile of mice

Oat β-glucan hydrolysates with different molecular weights were prepared and their physicochemical, hypocholesterolemic, and weight-reducing characteristics were evaluated. The enzymatic hydrolysis by cellulase caused a decrease in the molecular weight of oat β-glucan (1450–370 × 103 g/mol), which also affected swelling power and bile acid/fat binding capacities. In addition, mice were fed high-fat diet supplemented with β-glucans with three different molecular weights (1450, 730, 370 × 103 g/mol). The diets treated with β-glucans significantly reduced the body weight of the mice. However, the molecular weight of β-glucans did not appear to significantly affect the serum lipid profile.