Combining pulsed electric field and cross-linking to enhance the structural and physicochemical properties of corn porous starch

Improving the emulsification properties of corn starch by esterification combined with freeze-thawing and enzymatic treatment

In this study, high performance porous starch was prepared by combining freeze-thawing and enzymatic hydrolysis with the aim of evaluating its potential as a starch emulsifier in Pickering emulsions. The results indicate that the combined treatment significantly altered the specific surface area of starch (from 0.3257 m2/g to 1.5634 m2/g), pore volume (from 0.734 × 10-3 cm3/g to 3.967 × 10-3 cm3/g), crystallinity (from 23.35 % to 19.55 %), and the ratio of amylose to amylopectin content (from 3.44 % to 15.86 %). In comparison to native starch, the degree of substitution (DS) of the modified porous starch increased by 53.3 % to 127.6 %, and esterification was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. In particular, OFE (-80 °C) exhibited excellent emulsifying activity and emulsion stability due to its small particle size (6.06 μm), near-neutral wettability (74.2°) and high DS (0.034). These results demonstrate the potential of OSA-modified porous starches for emulsion stabilization.

Characteristics of Porous Starch from Lotus Seeds Using Dextranase: Protection and Sustained Release of Proanthocyanidins

Porous starch, known for its large specific surface area due to internal pores, exhibits excellent adsorption capabilities. In this study, we successfully produced porous starch from lotus seeds using dextranase and conducted a comprehensive analysis of its surface morphology, crystalline structure, pasting behavior, and adsorption characteristics. The enzymatic treatment resulted in the development of a pore structure on the lotus seed starch (LS) surface without altering its crystalline structure, as confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The oil and water absorption capacities of the porous starch increased by 14% and 27%, respectively. Differential scanning calorimetry indicated a higher pasting temperature for the porous starch. This starch exhibited remarkable drug-carrying capabilities, absorbing up to 18.23 mg/g of proanthocyanidins and significantly shielding them from UV damage. In vitro release tests in simulated intestinal fluid revealed that the encapsulated proanthocyanidins (PC) achieved nearly complete release. These results underscore the potential of LS as a drug carrier and provide valuable insights for developing innovative intestinal drug delivery systems.

Preparation and Adsorption Properties of Sodium Trimetaphosphate Crosslinked Porous Corn Starch

The crosslinked porous corn starch was prepared by two steps: the native corn starch was hydrolyzed by α-amylase and glucoamylase, then the porous corn was crosslinked by sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP). The morphology and size of granules, spherulites, crystal type, molecular structure, swelling properties, thermal stability and adsorption properties of the crosslinked porous starch were investigated. The results indicated that a lot of holes formed in the porous starch, and the particle size of starch granules decreased. Under the cross-linking action of STMP, the porous starch particles are cross-linked and agglomerated together. The crystalline form of porous starch presents A + V type, and crystallinity increased after crosslinking. The crosslinked porous starches have higher short-range ordering comparing to the porous without crosslinked porous starch. The crosslinking degree, melting enthalpy and melting peak of starch increased with the increase of STMP content. The bulk density and the vibrated density of the porous starch increased after crosslinking. With the increase of the content of STMP, the water and oil absorption of porous starch increased and then decreased. The MB adsorption capacity of crosslinked porous starch has the maximum value with the STMP 20 wt% content. MB adsorption behavior of porous starch is more consistent with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, and the equilibrium adsorption increased after crosslinking.

Pulsed electric field-induced starch modification for food industry applications: A review of native to modified starches

Starch, a polysaccharide primarily composed of amylose and amylopectin, serves as a critical energy source in plants. However, its native properties often limit its application in the food industry. To overcome these limitations, starch modification is essential for enhancing its technological characteristics. In this context, this review explored the impacts of pulsed electric field (PEF) technology on starch modification. PEF, along with other electrotechnologies, utilizes high-voltage electrical pulses to induce structural and chemical changes in starch granules, leading to improvements in properties such as gelatinization, solubility, viscosity, and swelling capacity. Although PEF is a non-thermal process, it enables significant structural and physicochemical modifications in starch. By avoiding high temperatures that can cause changes in color, flavor, and degradation of essential nutrients, PEF-modified starch results in better preservation of nutritional and sensory qualities, while also enhancing its performance in various industrial processes. Despite its advantages, challenges such as the need for standardized protocols and potential unwanted side reactions at high intensities remain. This review examined the effectiveness of PEF in modifying starch for enhanced technological applications in the food industry, addressing both its benefits and limitations. Additionally, the article provided a foundational overview of starch, including its chemical structure, functionalities, and sources, both conventional and non-conventional, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of how PEF can be applied to optimize starch properties for industrial use.

Variations in the Impact of Gingerols' Conversion to Shogaols on the Properties of Corn Starch with Different Amylose Contents

The polyphenol-starch complex has become a hot research topic since it is evident that this modification method can alter the physicochemical properties of starch as well as improve its nutritional value. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of ginger polyphenol gingerols (GNs) and shogaols (SNs) on the structure of starch with different amylose content (WCS, CS, G56, G80). Textural and rheological results indicated that GNs and SNs had more pronounced inhibitory retrogradation effects for relative low-level amylose starches (WCS and CS) compared to relative high-level amylose starches (G56 and G80). GNs and SNs improved the freeze-thaw stability of starch gels. FT-IR and XRD results revealed that GNs and SNs decreased the (short- and long-range) ordered structure of starches through a non-covalent interaction. Moreover, DSC results proved that the gelatinisation temperature of CS/G56/G80 significantly increased, and the enthalpy (ΔH) decreased by the incorporation of GNs and SNs. Overall, this in-depth study is beneficial in providing valuable pathways for starch-polyphenol interactions to improve the quality of starchy foods.

Crosslinking ability of hydrolyzed distarch phosphate and its stabilizing effect on rehydrated sea cucumber

Effective crosslinking among food constituents has the potential to enhance their overall quality. Distarch phosphate (DSP), a common food additive employed as a thickening agent, bears a pre-crosslinked oligosaccharide (PCO) moiety within its molecular structure. Once this moiety is released, its double reducing end has the potential to undergo crosslinking with amino-rich macromolecules through Maillard reaction. In this study, hydrolyzed distarch phosphate (HDSP) was synthesized, and spectroscopic analysis verified the presence of PCO within HDSP. Preliminary validation experiment showed that HDSP could crosslink chitosan to form a hydrogel and significant browning was also observed during the process. Furthermore, rehydrated sea cucumber (RSC) crosslinked with HDSP exhibited a more intact appearance, higher mechanical strength, better color profile, and increased water-holding capacity. This series of results have confirmed that HDSP is capable to crosslink amino-rich macromolecules and form more stable three-dimensional network.

Applications of physical and chemical treatments in plant-based gels for food 3D printing

Extrusion-based three-dimensional (3D) printing has been extensively studied in the food manufacturing industry. This technology places particular emphasis on the rheological properties of the printing ink. Gel system is the most suitable ink system and benefits from the composition of plant raw materials and gel properties of multiple components; green, healthy aspects of the advantages of the development of plant-based gel system has achieved a great deal of attention. However, the relevant treatment technologies are still only at the laboratory stage. With a view toward encouraging further optimization of ink printing performance and advances in this field, in this review, we present a comprehensive overview of the application of diverse plant-based gel systems in 3D food printing and emphasize the utilization of different treatment methods to enhance the printability of these gel systems. The treatment technologies described in this review are categorized into three distinct groups, physical, chemical, and physicochemical synergistic treatments. We comprehensively assess the specific application of these technologies in various plant-based gel 3D printing systems and present valuable insights regarding the challenges and opportunities for further advances in this field.

The art and science of porous starch: understanding the preparation method and structure-function relationship

Porous starch (PS), a modified form of starch with unique properties, is attracting substantial attention for its diverse advantages and applications. Its intricate porous structure, crystalline and amorphous characteristics, and hydrophilic-hydrophobic properties stem from pore formation via physical, chemical, enzymatic, and combined synergistic methods. Porous starch offers benefits like improved gelatinization temperature, water absorption, increased surface area, tunable crystallinity, and enhanced functional properties, making it appealing for diverse food industry applications. To optimize its properties, determining the parameters governing porous structure formation is crucial. Factors such as processing conditions, starch source, and modification methods substantially impact porosity and the overall characteristics of the material. Understanding and controlling these parameters allows customization for specific applications, from pharmaceutical drug delivery systems to enhancing texture and moisture retention in food products. To date, studies shedding light on how porosity formation can be fine-tuned for specific applications are fewer. This review critically assesses the existing reports on porous starch, focusing on how preparation methods affect porosity formation, thereby influencing the product's crystallinity/hydrophilic-hydrophobic nature and overall applicability.

Application of emerging thermal and nonthermal technologies for improving textural properties of food grains: A critical review

Emerging nonthermal and thermal food processing technologies are a better alternative to conventional thermal processing techniques because they offer high-quality, minimally processed food. Texture is important in the food industry because it encompasses several product attributes and plays a vital role in consumer acceptance. Therefore, it is imperative to analyze the extent to which these technologies influence the textural attributes of food grains. Physical forces produced by cavitation are attributed to ultrasound treatment-induced changes in the conformational and structural properties of food proteins. Pulsed electric field treatment causes polarization of starch granules, damaging the dense outer layer of starch granules and decreasing the mechanical strength of starch. Prolonged radio frequency heating results in the denaturation of proteins and gelatinization of starch, thus reducing binding tendency during cooking. Microwave energy induces rapid removal of water from the product surface, resulting in lower bulk density, low shrinkage, and a porous structure. However, evaluating the influence of these techniques on food grain texture is difficult owing to differences in their primary operation mode, operating conditions, and equipment design. To maximize the advantages of nonthermal and thermal technologies, in-depth research should be conducted on their effects on the textural properties of different food grains while ensuring the selection of appropriate operating conditions for each food grain type. This article summarizes all recent developments in these emerging processing technologies for food grains, discusses their potential applications and drawbacks, and presents prospects for future developments in food texture enhancement.

Red rice starch modification - Combination of the non-thermal method with a pulsed electric field (PEF) and enzymatic method using α-amylase

The objective of this study was to investigate the dual modification of red rice starch using pulsed electric field (PEF) and α-amylase, focusing on morpho-structural, thermal, and viscoamylographic properties. Native starch (Control) underwent various treatments: PEF at 30 kV cm-1 (PEF30), α-amylase at 9.0 U mg-1 (AA0), and a combination of both (PEF30 + α and α + PEF30). The PEF30 + α treatment exhibited the highest degree of digestion (10.66 %) and resulted in morphological changes in the starch granules, which became elongated and curved, with an increased average diameter of 50.49 μm compared to the control. The starch was classified as type A, with a maximum reduction in crystallinity of up to 21.17 % for PEF30. The deconvolution of FT-IR bands indicated an increase in the double helix degree (DDH) for PEF30 and AA0, while the degree of order (DO) was reduced for PEF30, AA0, and PEF30 + α. DSC analysis revealed significant modifications in gelatinization temperatures, particularly for PEF30, and these changes were supported by a reduction in gelatinization enthalpy (ΔH) of up to 28.05 % for AA0. These findings indicate that both individual and combined treatments promote a decrease in starch gelatinization and facilitate the process, requiring less energy. Differences were observed between the formulations subjected to single and alternating dual treatments, highlighting the influence of the order of PEF application on the structural characteristics of starch, especially when applied before the enzymatic treatment (PEF + α). Regarding the viscoamylographic parameters, it was observed that AA0 presented higher values than the control, indicating that α-amylase enhances the firmness of the paste. The double modification with PEF + α was more effective in reducing syneresis and starch retrogradation, leading to improvements in paste properties. This study provided significant insights into the modification of red rice starch using an efficient and environmentally friendly approach.