EN
Amaranth seeds were heated in air at 260°C for 2 to 3 seconds. At that temperature, the seeds burst and their volume increased by several times. Experimental rats were fed with the processed amaranth seeds, and serum and liver lipid levels of the animals were determined. During the 28-day experiment, one group of the rats was maintained on the control diet, while the other group received fodder containing 30% expanded amaranth seeds. At the end of the experiment, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels were determined in blood serum by enzymatic colorimetric kits from Human Co. The livers were homogenised and lipid extracts were prepared according to Folch. Total cholesterol and triglycerides were determined in these extracts in the same way as in blood serum. The diet with expanded amaranth seeds significantly decreased the level of total cholesterol in blood serum (by 15%) and in liver (by 23%) as well as triglyceride content in liver by 10%. The concentrations of HDL cholesterol and triglycerides in blood serum were similar in both test groups of the rats, suggesting that the diet with the processed amaranth seeds did not affect those concentrations.