Abstract:

The sediment of Shanxi mature vinegar produced during aging was collected and freeze-dried. In this study,
the chemical composition of the freeze-dried powder of Shanxi mature vinegar was measured and the hypolipidemic and
antioxidant effects of the freeze-dried powder as a dietary supplement were evaluated in mice fed for 35 days either a highfat
diet or a normal diet supplemented with 1% or 5% of the freeze-dried powder. Administration of the freeze-dried powder
to high-fat diet-fed mice resulted in a significant reduction the levels of serum triglyceride, total cholesterol and serum
low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, while the serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly increased. In
addition, the amount of malondialdehyde (MDA) generated during lipid peroxidation was significantly decreased, while
the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of red blood cells and serum catalase (CAT) activity were significantly increased.
No significant change in serum lipid profile was observed in mice receiving dietary supplementation of the freeze-dried
powder, but blood antioxidant status was improved, as measured by SOD activity, and lipid peroxidation was reduced. These
beneficial effects of the freeze-dried powder on hyperlipidaemic mice might be attributed to its dietary fiber, polysaccharides,
peptides, melanoidins, polyphenols, flavonoids and ligustrazines.

Key words: freeze-dried powder of Shanxi mature vinegar, mice, hypolipidemic, antioxidant