Oat beta-glucan-amylodextrins: preliminary preparations and biological properties.

Amylodextrins with soluble beta-glucan contents from 1 to 10% were prepared from oats and the hypocholesterolemic properties of the latter were evaluated. The products are called OATRIM and can lower blood cholesterol by replacing animal fats rich in cholesterol in food products and, possibly, by the action of beta-glucan in the body after consumption. In the chick model, decreased total blood cholesterol also resulted in increases of HDL cholesterol and decreases of LDL cholesterol. Processing conditions were found that gave the maximum amount of beta-glucan and desirable fat-replacement qualities with the least amount of color and flavor.