Structural and physicochemical characteristics of lycoris starch treated with different physical methods

Effect of ultrasonic treatment on the physicochemical properties of buckwheat starch: Based on the ultrasonic power and moisture content

The physicochemical property of native buckwheat starch (BWS) limits the application, which attracts more attention in the food industry. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different ultrasonic powers combined with moisture contents on the structure and physicochemical properties of BWS. The results showed that ultrasonic treatment significantly reduced the gel hardness and loss modulus of BWS. The increase in water content during ultrasound effectively enhanced the swelling power of BWS and reduced the peak viscosity. Besides, with the increase of water content and ultrasonic power, the crystallinity of BWS decreased significantly, and the formation of ordered structures was suppressed. In addition, after ultrasonic treatment, the particle size of BWS was decreased, and the surface became rough and concave. In short, ultrasonic treatment effectively improves the processability of BWS and provides a new theoretical basis for physical treatment in the production of cereal starch.

Physicochemical characterization and in vitro digestibility of resistant starch from corn starch sugar residue

This study sought to investigate the thermal stability and digestibility of corn starch sugar residue resistant starch (CSSR-RS) through comparative analysis of the physicochemical properties and structural characteristics among CSSR-RS, high-amylose corn starch (HS), and normal corn starch (NS). CSSR-RS contained 51.76 % resistant starch (RS), with 42.6 % remaining after high-temperature treatment, which was significantly higher than HS, demonstrating strong resistance to gelatinization. CSSR-RS is characterized by highly ordered aggregation of small molecules with a C-type crystalline structure, and irregular granular structures with wrinkled surfaces. Compared with NS and HS, the short-range and long-range order of CSSR-RS were significantly higher, indicating excellent thermal stability. In vitro simulated digestion revealed that the total hydrolysis rate of CSSR-RS was significantly lower than those of NS and HS, and the residual digesta of CSSR-RS also showed better resistance to digestion than HS. CSSR-RS exhibited significant development prospects in healthy food.

Exploring the remarkable effects of microwave treatment on starch modification: From structural evolution to changed physicochemical and digestive properties

As one of the crucial components of the food system, starch can be hydrolyzed into glucose after gastrointestinal digestion, so regulating its digestive properties is vital for maintaining health. Microwaves can promote the rearrangement of intramolecular structure of starch, thus improving its physicochemical properties, enhancing its slowly digestible features, and expanding its scope of application. This review zooms in describing recent research results concerning the effects of microwave treatment on the multi-scale structure and physicochemical properties of starch and summarizing the patterns of these changes. Furthermore, the changes in starch structure, resistant starch content, and glycemic index after digestion are pointed out to gain an insight into the enhancement of starch slowly digestible properties by microwave treatment. The resistance of starch to enzymatic digestion may largely hinge on the specific structures formed during microwave treatment. The multi-level structural evolutions of starch during digestion endow it with the power to resist digestion and lower the glycemic index. The properties of starch dictate its application, and these properties are highly associated with its structure. Consequently, understanding the structural changes of microwave-modified starch helps to prepare modified starch with diversified varieties and functional composites.

Characterization and structure-functionality analysis of starch in different layers of Lycoris chinensis bulb scales

According to literature, the size distribution of starch granules varies significantly in different layers of Lycoris chinensis bulb scales, however its effect on structural and physicochemical properties of starch still remains unclear. In this study, outer, middle and inner layers of bulb scales of L. chinensis were compared for starch characteristics. Also, the structure-functionality association was investigated based on correlation analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis, using 37 starch quality traits. Compared to commonly consumed starches with similar amylose content, L. chinensis starch gel had lower hardness and viscosities. Among layers, starches varied significantly in particle size, physicochemical and structural properties. As compared to middle and inner scales, the starch in outer scales had higher amylose content, hardness and viscosities, but lower gelatinization temperature, weight-average molar mass and degree of polymorphism. Correlation analysis revealed significant correlations among traits, and interestingly, gelatinization temperature (Tp) was found positively correlated to traits of molecular weight (p < 0.05). The 37 traits of starch characteristics can be divided into three subgroups, as supported by the results of Pearson correlation analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis. In general, the information presented in the current study are useful for Lycoris bulb starch utilization and insightful for a better understanding of structure-functionality association of starch.

Differences in cooking taste and physicochemical properties between compound nutritional rice and common rice

In this study, it was compared the physicochemical properties and cooking taste quality between four different types of compound nutritional rice (rice flour with the addition of other coarse grains, legumes, potatoes, and other powders, extruded as artificial rice grains) and common rice. We found that the protein and apparent amylose contents of compound nutritional rice were higher than that of common rice, up to 9.775% and 19.45% respectively. The γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and resistant starch contents were much lower than in common rice, and the dietary fiber content did not differ from that in common rice. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that the starch properties and structure of the compound nutritional rice changed due to high temperature and high pressure processing. In particular, the crystalline structures of starch became V-shaped. In addition, the results of artificial tasting and tasting meter showed that the taste of compound nutritional rice was generally inferior to that of common rice. In summary, compound nutritional rice had problems such as nutritional imbalance and poor taste. There was still a lot of room for improving the taste quality of compound nutritional rice. Therefore, the future development of compound nutritional rice should focus on both nutritional balance and taste improvement. The results of this paper also provided a certain theoretical basis for this.

Effect of microwave alone and microwave-assisted modification on the physicochemical properties of starch and its application in food

Native starch has poor stability and usually requires modification to expand its industrial application range. Commonly used methods are physical, chemical, enzymatic and compound modification. Microwave radiation, as a kind of physical method, is promising due to its uniform energy radiation, greenness, safety, non-toxicity. It can meet the demand of consumers for safe food. Microwave-assisted modification with other methods can directly or indirectly affect the structure of starch granules to obtain modified starch with high degree of substitution and low viscosity, and the modification efficiency is greatly improved. This paper reviews the effect of microwave radiation on the physicochemical properties of starch, such as granule morphology, crystallization characteristics, and gelatinization characteristics, as well as the application of microwave radiation in starch modification and starch food processing. It provides theoretical references and suggestions for the research of microwave heating modified starch and the deep processing of starchy foods.

"Structure-function" analysis using starches isolated from Lycoris chinensis bulbs of different developmental stages

In this study, Lycoris chinensis bulbs of four developmental stages were compared for starch characteristics. Based on correlation analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis, the relationships among 36 traits were discussed. Compared to commonly consumed starches, L. chinensis starch had higher amylose content (33.4-43.2 %) and weight-average molar mass (36410-82,781 kDa), lower gelatinization temperature (61.8-68.1 °C), gel hardness (19.0-39.5 g) and viscosities. Among developmental stages, starches varied significantly in characteristics. As compared to juvenile stage (S1), mature bulbs (S4) had higher amylose content, lower gelatinization temperature, weight-average molar mass and degree of polymorphism. Correlation analysis revealed that the molecular weight-related traits had significantly positive correlations to gelatinization temperature (Tp, p < 0.05), positive but weak correlations to traits of particle size distribution, significantly negative correlations to AAC and many parameters of viscosity properties (p < 0.05). Based on the results of correlation analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis, the 36 traits of starch characteristics were proposed to be divided into three groups: particle size-related traits, molecular weight-related traits and AAC-related traits. The information presented in the current study are useful for future studies on starches of Lycoris and other bulb species, and instructive for future studies in investigating the "Structure-Function" relationship in starch.

Properties of potato starch as influenced by microwave, ultrasonication, alcoholic-alkali and pre-gelatinization treatments

The present study was framed to develop modified potato starch by various physical (microwave treatment, ultrasonication, pre-gelatinization) and chemical (alcohol-alkali) methods. Both native and modified starches were characterized on the basis of physicochemical, functional, and morphological attributes. Compared to native potato starch, modified starches exhibited improved water absorption capacity and water solubility index. The particle size of the starches was found to be in the range of 10.01-10.36 μm with negative zeta potential values. FTIR results revealed that modification in the peaks is attributed to the change in the structural configuration and re-organization of the microstructure between molecules of the starch during the treatments. The results of X-ray diffraction suggested that the typical peaks varied to a little extent with modifications and relative crystallinity was decreased for all treated starches. SEM Micrographs revealed the complete structural changes and irregularities in pre-gelatinized and chemically modified starches, whereas other modification methods maintained the structural integrity of starch granules. An increase in pasting temperature of modified starches represented a higher resistance to swelling and rupture, whereas rheologically, starches exhibited non-newtonian behavior with the shear-thinning property. Thus, the characteristics of modified starches will assist in the selection of potato starch for better applications in the food industry.

Understanding the Structure, Thermal, Pasting, and Rheological Properties of Potato and Pea Starches Affected by Annealing Using Plasma-Activated Water

In this research, annealing (ANN) using plasma-activated water (PAW) was first employed to modify potato and pea starches. Compared with the conventional ANN using distilled water (DW), the granular morphology of two starches was not significantly affected by PAW-ANN. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy showed that PAW-ANN could reduce the long and short-range ordered structure of potato starch while improving the long and short-range ordered structure of pea starch. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis indicated that PAW-ANN lowered the gelatinization enthalpy of potato starch and increased the gelatinization enthalpy of pea starch. The analysis of viscosity and dynamic rheological characteristics illustrated that PAW-ANN reduced the peak viscosity and improved the gel strength of starch pastes. PAW-ANN represents a novel modification method for modifying the structure, reducing the viscosity, improving the gel strength of starch, and is very promising for applying in starch-based hydrogels and food additives.

Influence of corn resistant starches type III on the rheology, structure, and viable counts of set yogurt

The study intended to explore the influence of corn resistant starches type III (RS3s) prepared by autoclave, debranching, and microwave heat on the rheology, structure, and viable counts of set yogurt. The rheological analysis suggested that RS3s enhanced the elastic and viscous modulus of yogurt, and that microwave-heated RS was the most effective for improving viscoelasticity. Fitting the creep data using the Burger model showed that yogurt with microwave-heated RS increased the structural strength of yogurt, which displayed the highest instantaneous and viscoelastic deformations. The confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy micrographs demonstrated that autoclaved and debranched RS3s formed large fragments and disrupted the continuity of the milk protein structure; however, microwave-heated RS evenly filled the gel network and formed an interpenetrating network with proteins. The bacterial count and acidity of yogurt indicated that microwave-heated and debranched RS3s promoted the growth of lactic acid bacteria and accelerated the fermentation process of yogurt. The results of this study demonstrated that microwave-heated RS is a favorable supplement to the microstructure and rheological properties of yogurt compared with autoclaved and debranched RS3s.

Effect of Sand-Frying-Triggered Puffing on the Multi-Scale Structure and Physicochemical Properties of Cassava Starch in Dry Gel

This study revealed the underlying mechanisms involved in the puffing process of dried cassava starch gel by exploring the development of the puffed structure of gel upon sand-frying, chiefly focused on the changes in the multi-scale structure and the physicochemical properties of starch. The results suggested that the sand-frying-induced puffing proceeded very fast, completed in about twenty seconds, which could be described as a two-phase pattern including the warming up (0~6 s) and puffing (7~18 s) stages. In the first stage, no significant changes occurred to the structure or appearance of the starch gel. In the second stage, the cells in the gel network structure were expanded until burst, which brought about a decrease in moisture content, bulk density, and hardness, as well as the increase in porosity and crispness when the surface temperature of gel reached glass transition temperature of 125.28 °C. Upon sand-frying puffing, the crystalline melting and molecular degradation of starch happened simultaneously, of which the latter mainly occurred in the first stage. Along with the increase of puffing time, the thermal stability, peak viscosity, and final viscosity of starch gradually decreased, while the water solubility index increased. Knowing the underlying mechanisms of this process might help manufacturers produce a better quality of starch-based puffed products.

Microwave technology: a novel approach to the transformation of natural metabolites

Microwave technology is used throughout the world to generate heat using energy from the microwave range of the electromagnetic spectrum. It is characterized by uniform energy transfer, low energy consumption, and rapid heating which preserves much of the nutritional value in food products. Microwave technology is widely used to process food such as drying, because food and medicinal plants are the same organisms. Microwave technology is also used to process and extract parts of plants for medicinal purposes; however, the special principle of microwave radiation provide energy to reaction for transforming chemical components, creating a variety of compounds through oxidation, hydrolysis, rearrangement, esterification, condensation and other reactions that transform original components into new ones. In this paper, the principles, influencing factors of microwave technology, and the transformation of natural metabolites using microwave technology are reviewed, with an aim to provide a theoretical basis for the further study of microwave technology in the processing of medicinal materials.

Effect of extrusion processing and addition of purple sweet potatoes on the structural properties and in vitro digestibility of extruded rice

Recently, extruded rice as a functional ingredient has been a hot area of research in food processing. In this study, extruded rice with purple sweet potato (ERPSP) was prepared. Moreover, the effects of extrusion and added purple sweet potato on the structure and in vitro digestibility of extruded rice were studied via numerous detection methods, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), water absorption index (WAI), water solubility index (WSI), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). SEM results showed that there were numerous pits and bubbles in the extruded rice. In particular, compared with raw rice, the WAI and WSI of ERPSP was higher, and the thermal properties also changed noticeably. The results of XRD and FT-IR spectroscopy showed that the semicrystalline structure of extruded rice changed from A-type to A + V-type mixture, and the relative crystallinity of extruded rice changed accordingly. In addition, a significantly lower equilibrium hydrolysis (C_∞) and kinetic constant (k) were observed in ERPSP. The novel rice product made from broken rice by extrusion processing and addition of the purple sweet potato exhibited improved structural properties and reduced digestibility, which increased the potential value and application of broken rice in the food industry.

Modulating the in vitro digestibility of chemically modified starch ingredient by a non-thermal processing technology of ultrasonic treatment

Chemically modified starch (RS4) was commercially available as a food ingredient, however, there was a lack of knowledge on how ultrasonic treatment (non-thermal technology) modulated the enzymatic resistance of RS4. In this study, structural change of RS4 during ultrasonic treatment and its resulting digestibility was investigated. Results from scanning electron microscopy, particle size analysis, chemical composition analysis, X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that ultrasonic treatment remained the granule morphology, increased the apparent amylose content, reduced the particle size, destroyed the crystalline structure, decreased the helical orders, but enhanced the short-range molecular orders of ultrasonic-processed RS4. In vitro digestibility analysis showed that the total content of rapidly digestible starch and slowly digestible starch was increased, whereas the content of resistant starch was decreased. Overall, ultrasonic treatment substantially reduced the enzymatic resistance of RS4, indicating that RS4 was not stability against the non-thermal processing technology of ultrasonic treatment.

Synthesis and characterization of antibacterial polylactic acid film incorporated with cinnamaldehyde inclusions for fruit packaging

To maintain the quality of postharvest fruits continuously and meet the health requirements of consumers, a high barrier and long-lasting antibacterial polylactic acid film as packaging material was developed in this study. Polylactic acid-based antibacterial films incorporated with Cinnamaldehyde inclusions were used to achieve long-lasting antibacterial activity and improve the barrier properties. Cinnamaldehyde inclusions were prepared via the inclusion method and used as a sustained-release antibacterial agent and reinforcement to be incorporated into polylactic acid-based films within a concentration range of 0-30 wt%. The FT-IR spectrum demonstrated that the Cinnamaldehyde inclusions was physically interacting with PLA. The XRD results showed that the cinnamaldehyde inclusions at a concentration of 10 wt% enhanced the crystallinity of the antibacterial film. The oxygen and water vapor barrier properties of the film were respectively 14.29% and 12.38% higher than those of a pure PLA film. The tensile strength of the antibacterial film increased by 20%. And the antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes was 100%. The release rate of cinnamaldehyde of the antibacterial film was slow and varied smoothly for 20 d.

Hydrothermal modifications of nonconventional kithul (Caryota urens) starch: physico-chemical, rheological properties and in vitro digestibility

Effect of hydrothermal modifications (autoclaving, annealing and heat moisture treatment) on physico-chemical, rheological properties and in vitro digestibility of kithul starch was studied. Annealing and heat moisture treatment decreased swelling index, solubility and increased crystalline properties as compared with autoclaving. Autoclaving, annealing and heat moisture treatment caused significant morphological damages such as large holes and fissures on the kithul starch, in addition, granules changed from oval to donut shape. Heat moisture treatment formed higher number of agglomerated starch granules. Light transmittance decreased after hydrothermal modifications. Autoclaving and annealing increased the pasting viscosities (except break down viscosity) of kithul starch. A significant increase (p ≤ 0.05) in peak temperature, conclusion temperature and enthalpy was found in annealed and heat moisture treated kithul starches. The digestibility of kithul starch decreased with increasing resistant starch after annealing and heat moisture treatment. Autoclaved, annealed and heat moisture treated kithul starches exhibited higher value of storage modulus (G') and loss modulus (G″) than native kithul starch. It entail to higher firmness of modified starch gel. The current study showed that the remarkable changes formed by hydrothermal modifications increased the industrial acceptance of kithul starch.

Structural and physicochemical properties of ginger (Rhizoma curcumae longae) starch and resistant starch: A comparative study

The objectives of this study were to investigate and compare the structural and physicochemical properties of native ginger starch (NGS) and ginger resistant starch (GRS). NGS had oblate and compact granules, whereas GRS exhibited fissures. Compared to GRS, NGS had a narrower molar mass distribution and a higher molecular weight (Mw). According to X-ray diffraction measurements, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and 13C CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy, NGS sample had an A-type crystalline pattern with high relative crystallinity and short-range order structure, and GRS had a B-type crystalline pattern. Furthermore, NGS exhibited significantly higher gelatinization enthalpy than GRS. NGS displayed lower peak viscosity and final viscosity, whereas GRS had higher through viscosity and final viscosity, presumably due to the content and type of resistant starch. The pasting and gelatinization properties of NGS and GRS might be related to relative crystallinity and short-range order structure. The information obtained from this study can be used by manufacturers and researchers in the production of ginger-containing products.

Effects of heat-moisture and acid treatments on the structural, physicochemical, and in vitro digestibility properties of lily starch

Starch extracted from lily bulb (Lilium brownii var. Viridulum Baker) was modified via heat-moisture treatment (HMT) at different moisture levels (15-35%) and acid treatment (AT) with hydrochloric acid at five different concentrations (0.25-2.0 M). The effects of HMT and AT on the physicochemical properties and in vitro digestibility of lily starch were investigated. HMT and AT led to the clustering of the starch granules, whose surface became rougher, thereby increasing the particle size. X-ray diffraction results showed that HMT increased the relative crystallinity and transformed the crystalline structure from B- to A-type. The relative crystallinity and X-ray patterns of the AT starch significantly increased. The swelling power of HMT and AT starch was significantly reduced, whereas the solubility of HMT starch decreased. The solubility of AT starch was significantly higher than that of native starch (NS) (p < 0.05). Differential scanning calorimetry revealed that the gelatinization temperature of lily starch was higher than that of NS after two modifications, whereas the gelatinization enthalpy of the NS was lower than that of the modified samples. The starch with HMT at 25% showed the highest resistant starch content of 44.15% in cooked samples.

Effect of thermal modification on the release characteristics of pink potato starch of Jharkhand, India

Excipient plays an essential role in drug delivery system, which promotes the drug to reach a particular site of action. Excipients directly or indirectly affect the duration and rate of drug release and absorption. In the current study, physicochemical properties, flow properties and release characteristics of native and modified pink potato starches were investigated to determine their excipient characteristics. Amylose content, water holding capacity, swelling and solubility properties were found to increase after pregelatinization and retrogradation. The SEM micrographs reveals the loss of granular structure of native after thermal modification. The FT-IR study confirms the gelatinization characteristics of the pregelatinized starch. X-ray diffraction pattern confirms the reduction of crystallinity after thermal modification. Tablets containing Paracetamol as a model drug showed that native, pregelatinized and modified pink potato starch could be useful for the manufacturing of immediate release formulation.

Exploration of Floral Volatile Organic Compounds in Six Typical Lycoris taxa by GC-MS

Lycoris, which is known as the ‘Chinese tulip,’ has diverse flower colors and shapes, and some species have a delicate fragrance. However, limited studies have reported the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of Lycoris. In this study, headspace solid-phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to analyze the floral VOCs of six typical Lycoris taxa. Thirty-two VOCs were identified, including terpenoids, alcohols, esters, aldehydes, ketones, and phenols. The aldehyde and terpenoid contents in Lycoris aurea were higher than in the other taxa, and the ester and alcohol contents in L. sprengeri were the highest compared to all taxa tested. Compared with other species and cultivars, L. longituba and L. longituba var. flava were the two most scented taxa and the VOCs were dominated by terpenoids and esters. L. radiate and L. chinensis were two unscented taxa and, accordingly, the VOC content was weak. A partial least squares discriminate analysis of the floral VOCs among the six Lycoris taxa showed that the six taxa could be successfully separated. Moreover, the VOCs of L. longituba and L. longituba var. flava clustered together. β-Ocimene was verified as the most important aroma compound, as determined via the calculation of the variable importance in projection values and significance analysis. β-Ocimene and its trans isomer, trans-β-ocimene, had a high relative content in L. longituba, L. longituba var. flava, L. aurea, and L. chinensis but were not detected in L. sprengeri and L. radiata. These results indicate that floral VOCs might be selected during the evolutional processes of Lycoris, and β-ocimene could be the most typical VOC among the different Lycoris taxa.

Understanding the mechanism of ultrasonication regulated the digestibility properties of retrograded starch following vacuum freeze drying

The digestibility properties and structural changes of retrograded starch (RS3) induced by ultrasonic treatment (UT) were investigated. The digestion profiles showed that UT increased the slowly digestible starch (SDS) or resistant starch (RS) of RS3 as an effective green process, corresponding to a change in hydrolysis kinetic parameters (equilibrium starch hydrolysis percentage and kinetic constant). SEM analysis showed that ultrasound led to breakage of RS3 particles followed by cracking, reorientation and crystallization. Differences in amylose content, granule size, and ζ-potential were found for native RS3 and ultrasound-treated RS3 (UT-RS3). UT decreased the relative crystallinity and gelatinization enthalpy but enhanced short-range order of RS3 based on the results of XRD, DSC, and FT-IR, respectively. Surprisingly, diffractive peaks at 13°and 20° (V-type crystalline structure) and a new exothermic peak were also observed for UT-RS3. The outcome was believed to open new pathways for regulating the digestibility properties of RS3 by UT and development of low glycemic response food.