Journal: |
Fermentation
MDPI, Basel, Switzerland
|
Volume: |
|
Abstract: |
The consumption of plant-based dairy alternatives has increased rapidly around the world
as a result of numerous positive health effects. Little information is available about the potential
use of watermelon seed milk in the manufacture of yoghurt. The present study was undertaken
to investigate the remedial action of yoghurt enriched with watermelon seed milk in renal injured
hyperuricemic rats. A new yoghurt, substituting cow’s milk with different proportions of watermelon
seed milk was prepared, followed by evaluation of its acceptability and functionality. Four different
types of yoghurt were prepared from cow’s milk containing 3% fat, with different proportions of
blended watermelon seed milk (0.0, 25, 50 and 75%). Sensorial traits, i.e., appearance, flavor, body and
texture, and overall acceptability demonstrated that the blended treatment (50% cow’s milk and 50%
watermelon seed milk.) was the most acceptable. This blend was then tested as an anti-hyperuricemia
agent in rats. In this respect, twenty-four male albino rats were assigned into four groups (n = 6).
The first group was solely administered a standard diet, and served as the negative control. The
other rats (n = 18) received a basal diet including 20 g/kg dietary potassium oxonate in order to
induce hyperuricemia. The hyperuricemic rats were then divided into three groups; the first group
did not receive any treatment and served as the positive control, while the second and third groups
were administered 10% cow’s milk yoghurt and 10% watermelon seed milk yoghurt, respectively.
Interestingly, the results showed that the hyperuricemic group receiving a diet supplemented with
10% watermelon seed milk yoghurt was not significantly different from the negative control in the
measured biological parameters, and saw a significant improvement in renal function compared
to the positive control. The biologically favorable action of watermelon seed milk yoghurt could
be attributed to its potential promotion of antioxidant status via enhancement of the activities of
superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione transferase. Collectively, this study concluded that
watermelon seed milk can be used in yoghurt manufacturing in proportions of up to 50%, and may
improve kidney function as an anti-hyperuricemic agent.
|
|
|