The soluble fraction of soy protein peptic hydrolysate reduces cholesterol micellar solubility and uptake

Summary Previous studies have demonstrated that the undigested or insoluble high molecular fraction of soy protein exerts a lowering effect on serum cholesterol by inhibiting the absorption of cholesterol in the intestinal tract. The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction between the soluble fraction of soy protein peptic hydrolysate and dietary mixed micelles (DMMs) for cholesterol micellar solubility and uptake. The collected soluble tofu peptic hydrolysate (STPH) components, generated from hard and lactone tofu were evaluated by two in vitro models and a Caco-2 cell model after tofu soy protein was digested, thus simulating the gastrointestinal tract. The results showed that the administration of STPH effectively decreased the cholesterol solubility and uptake by 37.6% and 18.99%, respectively, as detected by the in vitro models and the Caco-2 cell model. Current findings demonstrated the potential hypocholesterolaemic benefit of the STPH.