Utilization of some vegetable oil blends rich in omega-3 fatty acids: Biological evaluation

The effect of feeding rats diet containing 9% of some prepared vegetable oil blends instead of corn oil for 6 months on body weight gain, weight of some selected internal organs, blood picture, lipid profile and liver histopathological changes were studied. Also, the oil blends were used for preparing microcapsules and omega fatty food products. The results indicated that the body weight gain of the rats was differed according to the type of oil and feeding period. Except liver, the weight of the other determined internal organs of the different rat groups were not significantly different. Plasma triglycerides level was ranged from 88.67 to 90.66 mg/dl. The value of LDL-cholesterol was relatively less in the plasma of the rats fed on diet containing canola oil with flaxseed oil (CF-2) blend rich in linolenic acid and less in oxidation stability, followed by olive oil with canola oil (OC-1), olive oil with flaxseed oil (OF) and corn oil, respectively. The less histological changes in the liver tissues were observed in the rats group fed on diet containing CF-2 oil blend followed by those containing OC-1 and OF then corn oil. Oxidation of prepared microcapsules oil caused a darkening in red color an increase in FFAs, PV, TBA, P-anisidine value and specific UV-absorbance. The results showed that the sensory properties of the fatty omega food products were acceptable by panelists.