This study has the aim to evaluate the physiological effects of the Pumpkin Seed Flour (PSF) on the intestinal tract of newly weaned male Wistar rats fed on diets containing whole Sifted and Residual - PSF for ten days. The experimental diets were prepared substituting 30% of the total content of starch and dextrin of the control diet for the corresponding PSF. The control and the experimental diets were chemically characterized. The animals were divided into four groups in order to evaluate growth, ingestion, feces, and cecal pH. The PSFs and the experimental diets presented high contents of alimentary fibers, proteins, and lipids. Similar ingestions of diets containing whole Sifted and Residual - PSF resulted in body weight gain. Rats on diets containing PSFs showed higher feces volume and weight (p > 0.05) in addition to an expressive insoluble fiber excretion, especially in the Residual - PSF group. Only the Residual PSF presented a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the cecal pH. These results indicate the PSFs potential as a fiber source and its ability to increase the fecal weight and volume promoting a laxative effect.
alimentary fiber; pumpkin seed flour; rats
