Decrease in plasma cholesterol, triglycerides and CPK levels in rats fed on the marine microalga Dunaliella tertiolecta.

The dried marine microalga Dunaliella tertiolecta was fed to weaning albino rats for 12 days as the sole protein source at a protein level of 12% protein from casein. Plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, and CPK levels were significantly lower in animals given the microalgal diet than in the control group with values 19.12 %, 45.80%, and 43.90% lower, respectively. These results suggest that the marine microalga Dunaliella tertiolecta has potential application as a hypocholesterolemic or hypolipidemic agent.