OBJECTIVEEffects of red palm oil on major plasma carotenoids, tocopherol, retinol and serum lipids were evaluated when used in Chinese diet.

METHODSRed palm oil group (RPO) composed of 20 male subjects(aged 18-32) and soybean oil group (SBO) composed of 22 male subjects (aged 18-32). Dietary fat provided about 28% of total calories, and the test oil accounted for about 60% of total dietary fat. In the 3 weeks of pretest period, diets were prepared with soybean oil, and then in the next 6 weeks subjects in each group consumed the diet prepared by test oil.

RESULTSPlasma alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and lycopene concentration of RPO group significantly increased at the time of interim (21 days) and of the end (42 days) (P < 0.05), and alpha-tocopherol concentration significantly increased at the time of the end (42 days) in this study. Though Chinese plasma retinol level was relatively low when compared with that of Westerners, red palm oil diet showed no significant effect on adult Chinese plasma retinol level. Serum concentration of total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein AI and apolipoprotein B of all subjects showed no significant changes in RPO group during the study.

CONCLUSIONSThe data in our study suggest that red palm oil is a good source of carotenoids and vitamin E when used in Chinese diet preparation, and it can significantly increase plasma concentration of alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lycopene and alpha-tocopherol.