Since certain dietary antioxidants are generally thought to protect retinol from oxidation during digestion, lignin was tested for its antioxidant properties. Inclusion of l-lo% lignin in the rat diet resulted in an increased (SO-loo%) deposition of retinol as compared to cellulose-fed controls. Data indicate that lignin exhibits antioxidant properties in the presence of oil and probably in the presence of other fat-soluble substances (e.g. vitamins A and E). Animal experiments substantiate this hypothesis. Results suggest both the biochemical and chemical nature as well as the nutritional ramifications of these observations deserve further investigation.
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