Facile preparation of highly uniform type 3 resistant starch nanoparticles

Influence of fractions with different molecular weight distributions from high-amylose starches on their digestibility after recrystallization

Type 3 resistant starches (RS3) were prepared from debranched starch (DBS) with different average degree of polymerization (DP) generated from high-amylose pea starch (HAPS) and high-amylose maize starch (HAMS). The results showed that RS3 with DP 35 and DP 39 had the highest RS content (74.5 % and 75.0 %, respectively) after cooking, which were remarkably higher than those of RS3 prepared from mixed fractions (60.6 % and 49.0 %, respectively) and other separated fractions (34.1-63.0 %). The multi-scale structures of RS3, including short-range molecular order, crystalline structure, micro-ordered aggregate structure, microscopic structure, and particle size distribution, were influenced by the average DP. Notably, RS content was positively correlated with the proportion of DP 51-80 and negatively correlated with the proportion of DP 21-30. DBS with DP 51-80 contributed to a more organized micro-ordered aggregate structure at nanometer scale and a larger aggregate structure at micrometer scale, which improved the resistance of RS3 to amylolytic enzymes. However, DBS with DP 21-30 tended to form random coil structure that were more easily to be digested. This research offered new insights into the structure-digestibility relationship of RS3, which is meaningful for the development of RS3 with high resistance to amylolytic enzymes after cooking.

Bioinspired core-shell microparticle for dual-delivery of prebiotic and probiotic for the treatment of ulcerative colitis

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (LP) is a well-known probiotic strain that has a beneficial effect in preventing ulcerative colitis. However, delivering a sufficient number of viable LP to the colon still face challenges due to its vulnerability to the highly complex intestinal flora ecosystem. Herein, we present a centrifuge-driven micronozzle system designed for double-layered core-shell alginate microcapsules (DAM), which can serve as an effective carrier for dual delivery of resistant starch nanoparticles (RSNP, prebiotic) and LP (probiotics) for the treatment of colitis. This system enables precise loading of LP and RSNP within the core and shell regions of DAM, respectively. The resulting LP/RS@DAM exhibited a high encapsulation efficiency of LP (108 CFU per bead), in which the dense distribution of RSNP in the shell effectively protected LP against acidic conditions (pH 2) and maintained the cell viability up to 52 % even after long-term storage for 30 days. Furthermore, LP/RS@DAM effectively enhances the production of short-chain fatty acids, leading to a reduction in inflammatory cytokines and restoration of intestinal microbial diversity in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. We believe that this innovative approach would offer a potential solution for improving colitis management and paving the way for tailored therapeutic interventions in gastrointestinal disorders.

Hierarchical mesoporous TiO2/starch-based microparticles used as an efficient and reusable adsorbent for removal of water-soluble dye

The widespread use of organic dyes in various industrial applications, driven by rapid industrialization, has become a significant environmental concern. Thus, highly efficient and reusable adsorbent for removal of pollutant dyes have gained increasing attention in water treatment. In this study, we present TiO2 nanoparticle-embedded mesoporous starch-based microparticle (TiO2@MSMP) with hierarchical rose-like structure were synthesis by using acetone precipitation of short-chain glucan (SCG) obtained from waxy maize starch. The resulting TiO2@MSMP exhibits an A-type crystalline polymorph and mean particle size of approximately 2 μm, displaying a type IV adsorption isotherm with a mean pore diameter of 19 nm and an average surface area of 12.34 m2/g. The adsorption ability of TiO2@MSMP towards methyl orange (MO) and crystal violet (CV) were 85.8 mg/g and 103.8 mg/g, respectively. The reusability of TiO2@MSMP was achieved by UV irradiation, which resulted in photodegradation of the adsorbed dye over 80 % while maintaining good absorption ability and structural stability during the recycling process. Given its cost-effectiveness, high adsorption capacity, and excellent reusability, TiO2@MSMP holds promise as an effective and environmentally friendly adsorbent with significant potential for removing dyes from aqueous solutions and purifying water.

Advancements in enhancing resistant starch type 3 (RS3) content in starchy food and its impact on gut microbiota: A review

Resistant starch type 3 (RS3), often found in cooked starchy food, has various health benefits due to its indigestible properties and physiological functions such as promoting the abundance of gut beneficial microbial flora and inhibiting the growth of intestinal pathogenic bacteria. However, it is challenging to develop starchy food with high RS3 content. This review aims to provide a detailed overview of current advancements to enhance RS3 content in starchy food and its effects of RS3 on gut microbiota. These approaches include breeding high-amylose cereals through gene editing techniques, processing, enzyme treatments, storage, formation of RS3 nanoparticles, and the incorporation of bioactive compounds. The mechanisms, specific conditions, advantages, and disadvantages associated with each approach and the potential effects of RS3 prepared by different methods on gut microbiota are summarized. In conclusion, this review contains important information that aims to provide guidelines for developing an efficient RS3 preparation process and promote the consumption of RS3-enriched starchy foods to improve overall health outcomes.

Study of the self-assembly, drug encapsulating and delivering characteristics of short chain amylose-based type 3 resistant starch nanoparticles from Canna edulis

In developing type 3 resistant starch (RS3) from Canna edulis for use as functional food ingredients, we investigated the synthesis of C. edulis RS3 nanoparticles. Simultaneously, we explored the potential of C. edulis short-chain amylose (SCA)-based RS3 nanoparticles (RS3N) as a targeted delivery system, with a specific focus on colon targeting, yielding promising insights. Our study revealed that the degree of polymerization (DP) of C. edulis SCA, particularly the chains of DP 36- 100, exhibited a robust correlation with the particle size and physicochemical characteristics of C. edulis SCA-based RS3N. Additionally, recrystallization temperature variation (4, 25, and 45 °C) significantly influenced the self-assembly behavior of C. edulis SCA, with the preparation at 4 °C resulting in more uniform particle size distributions. In further expanding the scope of applications for C. edulis SCA-based RS3N, we harnessed the potential of Fe3O4 and curcumin (CUR) as guest molecules to assess drug encapsulation and colon-targeting capabilities. Incorporating Fe3O4 into the self-assembly system led to the production of magnetic RS3N, confirming the successful encapsulation of Fe3O4 within C. edulis SCA-based RS3N. Furthermore, in vitro experiments have demonstrated that CUR-RS3N was stable in the gastrointestinal tract and gradually released curcumin with fermentation in the colonic environment. Collectively, these findings provide invaluable insights into the intricate self-assembly behavior of C. edulis SCA with varying fine structures and recrystallization temperatures during RS3N formation. Moreover, they underscore the colon-targeted properties of C. edulis SCA-based RS3N, opening promising avenues for its application within the food industry, particularly in advanced controlled drug delivery systems.

Functionalization Methods of Starch and Its Derivatives: From Old Limitations to New Possibilities

It has long been known that starch as a raw material is of strategic importance for meeting primarily the nutritional needs of people around the world. Year by year, the demand not only for traditional but also for functional food based on starch and its derivatives is growing. Problems with the availability of petrochemical raw materials, as well as environmental problems with the recycling of post-production waste, make non-food industries also increasingly interested in this biopolymer. Its supporters will point out countless advantages such as wide availability, renewability, and biodegradability. Opponents, in turn, will argue that they will not balance the problems with its processing and storage and poor functional properties. Hence, the race to find new methods to improve starch properties towards multifunctionality is still ongoing. For these reasons, in the presented review, referring to the structure and physicochemical properties of starch, attempts were made to highlight not only the current limitations in its processing but also new possibilities. Attention was paid to progress in the non-selective and selective functionalization of starch to obtain materials with the greatest application potential in the food (resistant starch, dextrins, and maltodextrins) and/or in the non-food industries (hydrophobic and oxidized starch).

Short-chain glucan self-assembly for green synthesis of functional biomaterials: Mechanism, synthesis, and microstructural control

Short-chain glucan (SCG) is a linear homopolymer containing 10 to 50 glucose units linked with α(1,4) glycosidic bonds. With its abundant, low-cost, nontoxic, biodegradable/biocompatible nature, self-assembled SCG particles (SSC) have emerged as functional biomaterials, which have recently attracted tremendous attentions in various fields. SCG self-assembly occurs through the spontaneous association of molecules under equilibrium conditions into stable and structurally well-defined nanoscale or micrometer-scale aggregates, which is governed by various intermolecular non-covalent interactions, including hydrogen-bonding, electrostatic, hydrophobic, and van der Waals. With precise and effective control of the self-assembly process of SSC, its structural modulation and function integration can be expected. Thus, we convinced that SCG self-assembly could provide an effective means of developing starch-based functional biomaterials with beneficial health properties and wide application in food industries. In this review, we provide an overview of recent advances in the green approach for the self-assembly of SSC, as well as the influence of thermodynamic and kinetic factors on its morphology and physicochemical properties. We highlight recent contributions to developing strategies for the construction of SSC with increasing complexity and functionality that are suitable for a variety of food applications. Finally, we briefly outline our perspectives and discuss the challenges in the field.

Advancing herbal medicine: enhancing product quality and safety through robust quality control practices

This manuscript provides an in-depth review of the significance of quality control in herbal medication products, focusing on its role in maintaining efficiency and safety. With a historical foundation in traditional medicine systems, herbal remedies have gained widespread popularity as natural alternatives to conventional treatments. However, the increasing demand for these products necessitates stringent quality control measures to ensure consistency and safety. This comprehensive review explores the importance of quality control methods in monitoring various aspects of herbal product development, manufacturing, and distribution. Emphasizing the need for standardized processes, the manuscript delves into the detection and prevention of contaminants, the authentication of herbal ingredients, and the adherence to regulatory standards. Additionally, it highlights the integration of traditional knowledge and modern scientific approaches in achieving optimal quality control outcomes. By emphasizing the role of quality control in herbal medicine, this manuscript contributes to promoting consumer trust, safeguarding public health, and fostering the responsible use of herbal medication products.

Metal ion-mediated modulation of morphology, physicochemical properties, and digestibility of type 3 resistant starch microparticle

Short-chain glucan (SCG) derived from debranched amylopectin has emerged as a promising candidate for the production of resistant starch particle (RSP) due to its controllable self-assembly features. Here, we investigated the effect of metal cations with different valencies and concentrations on the morphology, physicochemical properties, and digestibility of RSP formed by the self-assembly of SCG. The effect of cations on the formation of RSP followed the valency in the following order: Na⁺, Ka⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Fe³⁺, and Al³⁺, of which 10 mM trivalent cations increased the particle size of RSP over 2 μm and considerably decreased the crystallinity by 49.5 % ~ 50.9 %, which were significantly different from that of mono- and divalent ones. Importantly, RSP formed with divalent cations switched the surface charge from -18.6 mV to 12.9 mV, which significantly increased the RS level, indicating that metal cations would be useful for regulating physicochemical properties and digestibility of RSP.

Impact of solvent polarity on the morphology, physicochemical properties, and digestibility of A-type resistant starch particles

Resistant starch particles (RSP) formed by antisolvent precipitation method has attracted much attention as a functional food ingredient having beneficial effects on obesity and diabetes. However, the effect of solvent polarity on the physicochemical properties and digestibility of RSP remains unclear. Here, n-propanol, isopropanol, acetone, and ethanol were employed as antisolvents to prepare RSP. The width and length of the resulting RSP decreased from 0.87 μm to 0.59 μm and from 2.56 μm to 1.31 μm, respectively, upon increasing the solvent polarity, while dramatically decreasing their crystallinity and the gelatinization enthalpy from 80.5% to 62.3% and from 67.9 ± 14.4 J/g to 41.5 ± 8.3 J/g, respectively, suggesting that solvent polarity is critical factor determining morphology, crystallinity, and thermostability of RSP. Furthermore, the level of resistant starch in RSP was found to be inversely proportional to the degree of solvent polarity, which would provide a useful means for modulating the digestibility of RSP.

Modulation of the self-assembly kinetics and digestibility of type 3 resistant starch particles by co-crystallization with amino acid

The effect of eight different l-amino acids (L-AA) on type-3 resistant starch particles (rSPs) derived from short chain glucan (SCG) was investigated. The L-AA were categorized based on their charge and polarity. The results reveal that positively charged L-AA, such as lysine and arginine, decreased the nucleation and growth rate of rSPs, while non-charged L-AA have negligible effects. Negatively charged L-AA, such as glutamic acid and aspartic acid, had a significant impact on the morphology and crystallinity of the rSPs, resulting in particle size of around 3 μm and crystallinity of around 35%. This implies that charged L-AA influence the arrangement of SCG double helices in the particles. Furthermore, the complexation of SCG with charged L-AA reduced the level of RS in rSPs, indicating that L-AA could be useful in modulating the physical properties and digestibility of rSPs.