The effects of amidated pectin and psyllium were compared in rats fed diets supplemented with palm fat and cholesterol at 50 and 10 g/kg, respectively. Amidated pectin and psyllium significantly decreased serum cholesterol from 3.41 μmol/ml to 1.68 and 2.04 μmol/ml, respectively, and hepatic cholesterol from 31.9 μmol/g to 7.2 and 9.0 μmol/g, respectively. Faecal cholesterol content was significantly increased in rats that were fed amidated pectin, and non-significantly increased in rats that were fed psyllium. In conclusion, amidated pectin, a novel sequestrant of sterols, demonstrated a similar effect on rat serum and hepatic cholesterol concentration to psyllium, which is a well-established hypocholesterolaemic agent.