Abstract
The effects of a spice mixture used as a m0del of curry powder on rat recal microflora, cecal β-glucosidase, β-glucuronidase and nitroreductase activities, cecal ammonia, serum cholesterol and liver SOD (superoxide dismutase) activities were investigated. The spice mixture, which contained cumin, coriander and red pepper (10: 10: 3w/w), was added to rat semi-purified feed with 14% lard. The test groups were a control (no spice supplemented), 1% spice mixture supplemented and 4% spice mixture supplemented. Cecal microflora, nitroreductase activities, pH and moisture, liver total-, Cu, Zn-, Mn-SOD activities, and serum cholesterol showed no differences due to spice supplementation. Ammonia concentrations and the cecal contents showed a tendency to decrease as the dose of spice was increased. Cecal β-glucuronidase and β-glucosidase activities were increased significantly (p<0.05). From these results, we consider that bacterial metabolism in the cerum is affected by spice mixture intake.
