Evaluation of the Uricogenic Effect of Hypoxanthine and the Hypoxanthine-Lowering Process of Shrimp (Metapenaeus ensis)

Abstract

One of the main reasons for hyperuricemia is high purine intake and restricting the intake of high purine food is the main management for avoiding hyperuricemia. This study assesses the uricogenic effect of hypoxanthine and investigates effective physical field processing for reducing hypoxanthine content in shrimp (Metapenaeus ensis). Using mice models, it is demonstrated that hypoxanthine significantly elevates serum uric acid level, highlighting its role as a primary dietary contributor to hyperuricemia. To mitigate this effect, single, dual, and triple processing approaches involving infrared, steam, and microwave heating were evaluated. While single processing methods showed a moderate reduction in purine content, the combined triple processing (high-intensity microwave + 140°C infrared + 140°C steam) was most effective, achieving a substantial 62.18% reduction in hypoxanthine. This reduction is attributed to the loss of purines during cooking, interconversion between purines, and possible binding of purine compounds to other substances. Further, in vitro digestion experiments confirm that the purine-reduced shrimp meat exhibits significantly lower uric acid-raising capacity. Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the development of purine-reduced seafood options, contributing to healthier dietary strategies for hyperuricemia management.