U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 Healthy Processed Foods Research: Albany, CA
 close



    Research

                    Research Projects
                                    Publications
                                    Collaborations
                                    News
                People

                    Staff Listing
                                    CareersSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Pacific West Area Albany, California Western Regional Research Center Healthy Processed Foods Research Research





- Yokoyama, Wallace - Wally
- Product Quality and New Uses (306)

Research Project: **Location:
                            Healthy Processed Foods Research** Project Number: 2030-41440-008-003-R
                        
                        Project Type: Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement Start Date: Apr 1, 2019
                        
                        End Date: Mar 31, 2025 **Objective:**
                        
                        Carnitine and choline, compounds found in some foods such as red meat and eggs, have been implicated in increasing risk of cardiovascular disease. Carnitine and choline are converted to trimethylamine by gut bacteria. Trimethylamine is absorbed and transformed into trimethylamine oxide (TMAO). Population studies and animal studies show an association between atherosclerosis and high levels of TMAO in the body. Orange peels have been shown to reduce TMAO. **Approach:**
                        
                        The research proposes to identify the bioactive compounds in orange peels by screening compounds using a bacteria transformed with the enzyme that converts trimethylamine to TMAO. Preliminary short term studies will be conducted to determine if the compounds inhibit the conversion of carnitine or choline into trimethylamine. Mice will be fed the test compounds for three to six months to determine if the test compounds reduce arteriosclerosis. Changes in the gut microbiota as well as physiological changes in the mouse will be evaluated.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov