Studies on citrus fertilization

The aim of this work was to study the effect of oil blends as well as coriander oil on cholesterol level in albino rats, the polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) profile in some vegetable oils like soy oil (SYO) and sunflower oil (SNO) with the unconventional flaxseed oil (FLO) on the plasma lipid profile of rats. Vegetable oils were obtained from local market (Zagazig, Egypt). Four oil blends were prepared as follow: the first blend was a mixture of SYO: SNO: FLO (4: 5:1, w/w/w), the second was a mixture of SYO: SNO: FLO (2: 6: 2, w/w/w), the third was a mixture of SYO: SNO: FLO (1:5:4, w/w/w) the fourth was SYO: SNO: CRO (4:4:2, w/w/w), besides CRO (10 W) as a sole source of fat. The work was carried out at Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University (Egypt). Forty two male albino rats (weighing between 120 g and 140 g for each) were obtained from Helwan Experimental Station and used for the investigation. The experiment lasted for 2 months and the animals were divided into 7 groups each contained 6 rats. Animal groups number 6 and 7 represent control and one of them (group 7) were fed basal diet as negative control. The other control group was received HCD till the end of the experiment to serve as positive control, while the other five groups were allowed to feed hypercolesterolemic diet (1% cholesterol + 0.25 % cholic acid) supplemented with oil blends. Diets and water were available over the two month period and rats were weighed every week. Blood sample was taken every two weeks