Dietary fibers, major phenolics, main minerals, and trace elements in persimmons and apples were analyzed and compared in order to choose a preferable fruit for an antiatherosclerotic diet. Fluorometry and atomic absorption spectrometry following microwave digestion were optimized for the determination of major phenolics and minerals. Total, soluble, and insoluble dietary fibers, total phenols, epicatechin, gallic and p-coumaric acids, and concentrations of Na, K, Mg, Ca, Fe, and Mn in whole persimmons, their pulps, and peels were significantly higher than in whole apples, pulps, and peels (P < 0.01-0.0025). Conversely, the contents of Cu and Zn were higher in apples than in persimmons. In persimmons and apples all of the above components were higher in their peels than in whole fruits and pulps. The relatively high contents of dietary fibers, total and major phenolics, main minerals, and trace elements make persimmon preferable for an antiatherosclerotic diet.

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The effect of dietary persimmon (Pers, 7.0%) on lipid metabolism and antioxidant activity was investigated in 40 male Wistar rats adapted to cholesterol-free or 1% cholesterol diets. The rats were divided in four groups of 10. The basal diet contained wheat starch, casein, soybean oil, and mineral and vitamin mixtures. The control group (C) consumed the basal diet. To the basal diet were added 7 g/100 g dry persimmon (Pers), 1 g/100 g cholesterol (Chol), or both (Chol/Pers). The experiment lasted 4 wk. Plasma total cholesterol (TC), LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), total phospholipids (TPH), HDL phospholipids (HDL-PH), lipid peroxides (LP) and liver TC concentrations were measured. Groups did not differ before the experiment. In the Chol/Pers vs. Chol group, the persimmon-supplemented diet significantly (P < 0.05) lessened the rise in plasma lipids due to dietary cholesterol: TC (3.88 vs. 4. 88 mmol/L; -20%), LDL-C (2.24 vs. 3.27 mmol/L; -31%), TG (0.72 vs. 0. 89 mmol/L; -19%), LP (2.20 vs. 3.25 mmol/L; -32%) and TC in liver (32.8 vs. 49.9 micromol/g; -34%), (P < 0.001). The Chol/Pers diet significantly reduced the decrease in HDL-PH due to dietary cholesterol (0.73 vs. 0.58 mmol/L; -25.8%, P < 0.001) and decreased the level of TPH (1.32 vs. 1.73 mmol/L; -23%, P < 0.001). Persimmon in rats fed the basal diet without cholesterol did not significantly affect the variables measured. These results demonstrate that persimmon possesses hypolipidemic and antioxidant properties that are evident when persimmon is added to the diet of rats fed cholesterol. These properties are attributed to its water-soluble dietary fiber, carotenoids and polyphenols.

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