Influence of different molar concentrations of acid on morphological, physicochemical and pasting properties of Pakistani Basmati and Irri rice starches

Formulation and characterization of reduced fat muffins using a plant based fat replacer

Obesity and associated health alarms have encouraged increased awareness in developing healthier food alternatives, such as low-fat bakery products. This study explores a sustainable plant-based approach to formulate low-fat muffins by partially replacing butter with sago flour at levels of 25, 37, and 50% (w/w). The research designed to assess the physicochemical and pasting properties of wheat-sago flour composites and their impact on the texture, color, post-baking attributes, and sensory characteristics of the muffins. Results presented that the ash content of the fat-reduced muffins significantly improved, increasing from 1.08 to 3.09%. Sago concentration significantly affected solvent retention, swelling, sedimentation properties, pasting temperature, and both peak and breakdown viscosities. At 50% fat replacement, the muffins exhibited increased density and firmness, measuring 32.67 N, compared to full-fat and lower-fat samples. Sensory evaluations by semi-trained assessors rated both full-fat and reduced-fat muffins within the liking range, with scores ranging from 8.52 to 7.42. Lightness values showed no significant difference between full-fat and reduced-fat muffins. These findings suggest that sago flour is an effective partial fat replacer in muffin formulations, enhancing nutritional value while maintaining acceptable sensory qualities, with the 25 and 37% replacements achieving the best balance of properties.

Graphical abstract

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-024-06045-6.

Postharvest ripening of newly harvested corn: Weakened interactions between starch and protein

The effects of postharvest ripening of corn on the mechanisms of starch and protein interactions were investigated using molecular dynamics and several chemical substances. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) treatment all significantly affected the starch content, molecular weight of proteins, relative crystallinity, pasting characteristics and dynamic viscoelasticity in samples before and after postharvest ripening. In the corn that had not undergone postharvest ripening, there were also significant electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonds between starch and protein. In addition, molecular dynamics had demonstrated that the forces between starch and protein in corn were mainly hydrophobic interactions, electrostatic interaction, and hydrogen bonds. Compared with zein, corn glutelin was more tightly bound to starch. The binding energy of starch to both proteins was reduced in after postharvest-ripened corn. This study laid a rationale for investigating the change mechanism of corn postharvest ripening quality and improving processing property and edible quality of corn.

Enhancing functional properties of rice starches through hydroxypropylation for development of reduced-fat white sauces

Present study investigated the preparation of commonly used white sauce with 50 % less added fat by using 10 % hydroypropylated Irri and Basmati rice starches in the formulation. The sauces incorporated with hydroxypropylated starches exhibited significantly lower gelatinization temperature and time, while the change in maximum viscosity was insignificant. Significantly improved stability at ambient, refrigeration, and freezing temperatures of reduced-fat white sauces was observed whereas change in the taste was insignificant. Basmati hydroxypropylated starch containing white sauce significantly mimicked the sensory properties of full-fat sauces. The hydroxypropyl groups were found to be 1.06 % and 1.16 % for Basmati and Irri hydroxypropylated starches, respectively. These values fall below the specified limit set by the Food and Drug Administration for the food grade hydroxypropylated starches. Significant improvements in peak viscosity, swelling power, solubility, percent transmittance, and water retention capacity were observed after the chemical modification of both rice varieties.

A Prospective Review on the Research Progress of Citric Acid Modified Starch

Citric acid (CA) treatment is a convenient, mild and environmentally friendly strategy to modify the composition, structure and function of starch through hydrolysis and esterification, which expands the application of starch in industry. In this paper, the effects of CA modification on amylose content, amylopectin chain length distribution, microscopic morphology, solubility and swelling ability, thermodynamic properties, gelatinization properties, digestibility properties, texture properties and the film-forming properties of starch were summarized. The application status and development trend of CA modified starch were reviewed, which has important implications for the targeted utilization of CA modified starch in the future.

Comparative study on morphological, rheological and functional characteristics of extruded rice starch citrates and lactates

Two levels of chemically modified starches (starch citrates and lactates) prepared at 20% and 40% w/v concentration was subjected to extrusion to produce pregelatinized starches (PG). Starch citrates and lactates modified at 20% and 40% level were referred as (SC20 and SC40) and (SL20 and SL40), respectively. These PG starches underwent significant structural changes during extrusion as depicted by scanning electron micrographs. Native starches showed lower swelling power and water binding capacity but formed harder gels compared to chemically modified pregels. The dynamic rheology of these polymers (extruded modified starches) suggested visco-elastic property i.e. (G' > G''). Citrates demonstrated higher G' than lactates in both frequency and temperature sweep tests. Stability of storage moduli over entire temperature range confirmed that addition of citrates and lactates led to strengthening of gel structure through cross linking and esterification. Non-newtonian behavior was shown by all samples as determined through steady shear flow test with flow behavior index <1. Starch citrate (SC20-PG) demonstrated higher shear stress values. While, SC40-PG depicted anti-thixotropic behavior as measured through in-shear structural recovery measurements. On the basis of results obtained, the dual modification (chemical followed by extrusion) may impart fruitful applications in various food products.

Combined effects of hydroxypropylation and alcoholic alkaline treatment on structural, functional and rheological characteristics of sorghum and corn starches

This study describes the effects of hydroxypropylation (HP) on sorghum and corn cold water soluble (CWS) starches prepared via alcoholic alkaline treatment (AAT). Propylene oxide (5% and 12% on starch weight basis) was used to modify both sorghum and corn starches. SEM analysis revealed that HP modification prior to AAT altered the granular morphology of native CWS starches. The characteristic peaks at 2980.28 cm^-1 and 2979.87 cm^-1 indicated the presence of hydroxypropyl groups and the complete loss of the granular order for HS12-CWS (hydroxypropylated sorghum CWS starch treated with 12% propylene oxide based on dry starch weight) and HC12-CWS (hydroxypropylated corn CWS starch treated with 12% propylene oxide based on dry starch weight) starches. Increase in swelling power and water binding capacity of HP modified CWS starches was observed. However, Percent transmittance was significantly reduced due to fragmented water-soluble granules. HP-modified CWS starch gels exhibited a more rigid gel network. Broader linear viscoelastic range suggesting greater stability and well dispersed behavior of HP-CWS starches. High G' values of HP-CWS starches were due to the ordered and elastic gel network that resisted deformation. Furthermore, all HP-CWS starches exhibited higher shear and thermal resistance compared to unmodified CWS starches.

Effects of Lintnerization, Autoclaving, and Freeze-Thaw Treatments on Resistant Starch Formation and Functional Properties of Pathumthani 80 Rice Starch

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of lintnerization, autoclaving, lintnerization followed by autoclaving, and freeze thawing treatments on the production of resistant starch from Pathumthani 80 (RD 31) rice. The produced resistant starch was further evaluated for some important physicochemical properties including pasting properties, swelling behavior, digestibility, water holding capacity, and functional properties including glycemic index and antioxidant properties. The lintnerization treatment and autoclaving significantly (p ˂ 0.05) increased resistant starch content to 64% (w/w) and gave the lowest glycemic index (46.12%). The lintnerization followed by autoclaving treatment significantly increased the solubility and water holding capacity, reduced the swelling power, and disrupted the crystalline structure of the starch granules. The native rice starch with autoclave treatment exhibited the highest swelling power among the samples, while the acid hydrolyzed starch was followed by autoclave treatment showing the lowest swelling power (1 g/g) at 90 °C. Fourier transform infrared analysis revealed the modified structures and bonding of the starch materials with the shifting of C=O stretch. However, the antioxidant properties and pasting properties were observed to decrease with the lintnerization, autoclaving, and freeze-thawing treatment of the native starch. The highly resistant starch content and low glycemic index value of the autoclaved RD 31 starch indicates the potential of the resistant starch’s application for the formulation of functional foods targeting the diabetic population.