Studies of the retrogradation process for various starch gels using Raman spectroscopy

Structural analysis of potato starch transformation during high-energy ball-milling: Oxygen and humidity content effects

High Energy Ball-Milling (HEBM) modifies starchs' granule morphology, physicochemical properties, and chemical structure. However, understanding how the HEBM changes the starch chemical structure is necessary to control these modifications. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the changes in potato starch's long- and short-range molecular order during HEBM at different environmental conditions such as oxygen (Air) and humidity content. Due to the correlation between the starch modification and the energy supplied (Esupp) by the HEBM, Burgio's equation was used to calculate this energy. The starch transformation was followed by X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was conducted to reduce the HEBM variables. PAC analysis demonstrated that the different oxygen-humidity conditions do not affect the HEBM of potato starch. Based on the starch chemical structure transformation correlated with Esupp during HEBM, four stages were observed: orientation, modification, mechanolysis, and over-destruction. It was identified for the first time that at low milling energy (<1.5 kJ/g, orientation stage), the glycosidic rings change their orientation, and starch-water interaction increases while the starch's organization reduces. Ergo, the potato starch could be more susceptible to chemical modifications during the first two stages.

Structural characterization of different starch-fatty acid complexes and their effects on human intestinal microflora

Resistant starch type 5 (RS5), a starch-lipid complex, exhibited potential health benefits in blood glucose and insulin control due to the low digestibility. The effects of the crystalline structure of starch and chain length of fatty acid on the structure, in vitro digestibility, and fermentation ability in RS5 were investigated by compounding (maize, rice, wheat, potato, cassava, lotus, and ginkgo) of different debranched starches with 12-18C fatty acid (lauric, myristic, palmitic, and stearic acids), respectively. The complex showed a V-type structure, formed by lotus and ginkgo debranched starches, and fatty acid exhibited a higher short-range order and crystallinity, and lower in vitro digestibility than others due to the neat interior structure of more linear glucan chains. Furthermore, a fatty acid with 12C (lauric acid)-debranched starches complexes had the highest complex index among all complexes, which might be attributed to the activation energy required for complex formation increased with the lengthening of the lipid carbon chain. Therefore, the lotus starch-lauric acid complex (LS12) exhibited remarkable ability in intestinal flora fermentation to produce short-chain fatty acid (SCFAs), reducing intestinal pH, and creating a favorable environment for beneficial bacteria.

Methods for characterizing the structure of starch in relation to its applications: a comprehensive review

Starch is a major part of the human diet and an important material for industrial utilization. The structure of starch granules is the subject of intensive research because it determines functionality, and hence suitability for specific applications. Starch granules are made up of a hierarchy of complex structural elements, from lamellae and amorphous regions to blocklets, growth rings and granules, which increase in scale from nanometers to microns. The complexity of these native structures changes with the processing of starch-rich ingredients into foods and other products. This review aims to provide a comprehensive review of analytical methods developed to characterize structure of starch granules, and their applications in analyzing the changes in starch structure as a result of processing, with particular consideration of the poorly understood short-range ordered structures in amorphous regions of granules.

The retrogradation characteristics of starch in green wheat product Nianzhuan: effects of storage temperature and time

The objective of this study was to reveal the process of starch retrogradation and quality changes of Nianzhuan stored at 4, −18 °C, and freeze-thaw cycles treatment for different lengths of time. XRD revealed that Nianzhuan starch displayed an increasing trend of crystallinity with prolonged storage time and numbers of freezing-thawing cycles, which was likely due to a more orderly crystalline matrix in starch. The Raman full width at half-maximum (FWHM) of the bands at 2913 cm−1 of the three storage methods all decreased. According to DSC analysis, an increase in ∆H was detected, and a significant (P < 0.05) increase in T o and T p were found at −18 °C, and freeze-thaw treated samples, indicating more thermal energy were needed to disrupt re-crystallization. Good correlations between crystallinity, FWHM, ∆H, and hardness, springiness, chewiness were tested. The results of this study would provide useful information for the process of starch-based product Nianzhuan.

Comparative Study of Physicochemical Properties and Starch Granule Structure in Seven Ginkgo Kernel Flours

Ginkgo biloba L. is an important economic tree species in China, and its kernels have been used as a popular food in Asian countries. Herein, the morphology, basic chemical components, starch granule structures, and physicochemical properties of kernel flours from seven ginkgo cultivars were investigated, and their relationships were analyzed. The kernels were oval or spherical in shape, with variable sizes. The starch granules exhibited both regular and irregular Maltese cross patterns. Amylose was mainly distributed in amorphous growth rings. A spatial variation in the 865/942 cm-1 ratio was observed within individual starch granules. Variations in total starch content, apparent amylose content (AAC), crude protein content (CPC), total amino acid content (TAAC), starch fine structure, and thermal and pasting properties were observed among the seven kernel flours. Pearson correlation coefficients and principle component analyses showed that the thermal properties were affected by kernel CPC, TAAC, AAC, and starch fine structure, while the pasting properties were affected by AAC and starch fine structure. Furthermore, experiments showed that the seed protein structure and α-amylase activity affected the pasting properties of ginkgo kernel flours.

Ordered structural changes of retrograded starch gel over long-term storage in wet starch noodles

Temperature-induced structural variations of retrograded starch gel during long-term storage were investigated in a real food system (wet starch noodles). Fresh starch noodles presented a B-type XRD pattern containing 8.82% crystallinity and 16.04% double helices. In the first 2 weeks, double helices of starch chain formed long-range ordered structure leading to increased crystallinity, and such structural transformation was positively correlated with increasing storage temperature (from 4 °C to 35 °C) and storage time. However, with the extension of storage time to 12 weeks, the disorganization of supra-molecular structure was likely to be observed by decreased crystallinity, double helix and water mobility. Besides, we propose that the area and intensity of Raman band at 2910 cm^-1 can be a good indicator for evaluating perfection of crystallinity in starch noodles. These results contributed to a better understanding of mechanisms underlying molecular order changes of retrograded starch gel product during long-term storage.

Molecular Structure of Cefuroxime Axetil Complexes with α-, β-, γ-, and 2-Hydroxypropyl-β-Cyclodextrins: Molecular Simulations and Raman Spectroscopic and Imaging Studies

The formation of cefuroxime axetil+cyclodextrin (CA+CD) complexes increases the aqueous solubility of CA, improves its physico-chemical properties, and facilitates a biomembrane-mediated drug delivery process. In CD-based tablet formulations, it is crucial to investigate the molecular details of complexes in final pharmaceutical preparation. In this study, Raman spectroscopy and mapping were applied for the detection and identification of chemical groups involved in α-, β-, γ-, and 2-hydroxypropyl-β-CD (2-HP- β-CD)+CA complexation process. The experimental studies have been complemented by molecular dynamics-based investigations, providing additional molecular details of CA+CD interactions. It has been demonstrated that CA forms the guest–host type inclusion complexes with all studied CDs; however, the nature of the interactions is slightly different. It seems that both α- and β-CD interact with furanyl and methoxy moieties of CA, γ-CD forms a more diverse pattern of interactions with CA, which are not observed in other CDs, whereas 2HP-β-CD binds CA with the contribution of hydrogen bonding. Apart from supporting this interpretation of the experimental data, molecular dynamics simulations allowed for ordering the CA+CD binding affinities. The obtained results proved that the molecular details of the host–guest complexation can be successfully predicted from the combination of Raman spectroscopy and molecular modeling.

Isolated Pea Resistant Starch Substrates with Different Structural Features Modulate the Production of Short-Chain Fatty Acids and Metabolism of Microbiota in Anaerobic Fermentation In Vitro

Resistant starches (RSs) with different structural features were isolated from both native and pullulanase-debranched and acid-hydrolyzed pea starches. Their microscopic changes, short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) composition, microbiota communities, and structural characteristics of the corresponding fermenta residues by the end of 24 h of the in vitro fermentation period were investigated. The microbial fermentation clearly caused numerous cracks and erosion on the RS granule surface. In comparison to the positive control, significantly higher levels of butyrate, propionate, and total SCFA were produced after 24 h of in vitro fecal fermentation when resistant starches were used as substrates. The RS substrates with different structural characteristics enabled varying growth of Bifidobacterium spp., Eubacterium spp., and Faecalibacterium spp. The discrepancy in microbiota communities associated with the differences in SCFA from the fermentation of RS with different structural features would be critical toward the rational design of foods containing resistant starch with targeted health benefits.

Rheological and textural properties of lafun, a stiff dough, from improved cassava varieties

We studied the textural and rheological (viscoelastic) properties of fresh lafun dough, a fermented cassava product, and their changes during storage at 45 °C for 5 and 24 h, in order to determine after-cooking storability. Lafun flours were produced from three types of cassava varieties: seven improved white-fleshed varieties, seven improved provitamin A carotenoids (pVAC) varieties and two local white-fleshed varieties; and processed into lafun doughs. Pasting properties of the flours were assessed. Flours from local varieties had pasting profiles with highest viscosities, while pVAC flours had the lowest. The three types of cassava varieties varied significantly in most of their pasting properties. Four promising improved varieties were identified, based on high peak viscosity (55.8-61.5 P) and stiffer texture than local varieties during storage. Undesirable varieties were also found, which softened during storage instead of hardening. Optimum texture of lafun dough was obtained after 5 h of storage.

Time-resolved Assessment of Drying Plants by Brillouin and Raman Spectroscopies

Raman and Brillouin spectroscopy enable non-invasive assessment of chemical and elastic properties of biomaterials, respectively. In this report, Brillouin micro-spectroscopy was used for the time-resolved analysis of elastic properties of Populus and Geranium leaves, while Raman micro-spectroscopy was employed for the assessment of their chemical variation during drying. Spectroscopic assessment of elastic and chemical properties can improve our understanding of mechano-chemical changes of plants in response to environmental stress and pathogens at the microscopic cellular level. This report demonstrates the potential of multimodal optical sensing and imaging of plants as an emerging technique for the quantitative assessment of agricultural crops.

Revisiting Mechanisms Underlying Digestion of Starches

The factors that determine the digestion rate of starches were revealed using different forms of starches and a mixture of α-amylase and amyloglucosidase. Gelatinized starch samples with a degree of gelatinization (DG) from 12.2 to 100% for potato starch and from 7.1 to 100% for lotus seed starch were obtained. With an increasing DG, the short- and long-range molecular orders of both starches were disrupted progressively. The first-order digestion rate constant (k) of both starches increased with an increasing DG, although the positive linear relationships between DG and k differed (R² = 0.87 for potato starch, and R² = 0.74 for lotus seed starch). The mean fluorescence intensity showed a positive linear correlation with DG, which was strong for potato starch (R² = 0.99) and relatively weaker for lotus seed starch (R² = 0.54). These results indicated that DG is a major determinant for the digestion rate of potato starch and lotus seed starch and that the access/binding of enzymes to starch was the main rate-limiting factor for digestion of starches.

Effect of Hydrocolloids on the Retrogradation of Lotus Seed Starch Undergoing an Autoclaving-Cooling Treatment

The retrogradation properties of lotus seed starch (LS) blended with the hydrocolloids arabic gum (AG), carrageenan (CG), guar gum (GG), and xanthan (XN) were investigated undergoing an autoclaving-cooling treatment, a model for starch retrogradation acceleration. Compared with LS alone, LS-AG showed the increases in syneresis, tan δ (more solid-like behavior), bound water content and immobile water content, molecular weight, the intensity at 480 cm^-1 in Raman spectra and the ratio of absorbance 1047 cm^-1 /1022 cm^-1 (R_1047/1022 ) in FT-IR spectra. The results suggested that the addition of AG tended to promote the starch retrogradation, which was related to the increased molecular migration of free water, interactions of molecular starch chains, and the formation of ordered structures. The addition of CG, GG, or XN significantly decreased the syneresis, tan δ, the intensity at 480 cm^-1 , and R_1047/1022 values of LS, indicating the prevention of LS retrogradation. The effects of CG and XN on starch retrogradation mainly resulted from competition for water and the increased viscosity, as well as the coating effect on starch. The dominant viscosity of GG was the main factor that influenced starch retrogradation. These results showed not all hydrocolloids would retard starch retrogradation under autoclaving-cooling treatment, for which fine structures altered by different hydrocolloids were the key factors. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Effects of hydrocolloids on the retrogradation of lotus seed starch were investigated undergoing an autoclaving-cooling treatment. The results will help guide the production and development of starchy foods having desirable properties by specific hydrocolloids during autoclaving-cooling process, especially to control starch retrogradation.

Effect of an Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet on the Structure and Physicochemical Properties of Waxy and Normal Maize Starch

In present study, a novel physical modification of waxy maize starch (WMS) and normal maize starch (NMS) was investigated by using an atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) treatment. The effect on the structure and physicochemical properties of both starches was demonstrated by treatment with a 5% starch suspension (w/w) with APPJ for short periods of time (1, 3, 5, or 7 min). The pH of WMS and NMS was decreased after APPJ treatment from 5.42 to 4.94, and 5.09 to 4.75, respectively. The water-binding capacity (WBC) (WMS: 105.19%⁻131.27%, NMS: 83.56%⁻95.61%) and swelling volume (SV) (WMS: 2.96 g/mL⁻3.33 g/mL, NMS: 2.75 g/mL⁻3.05 g/mL) of the starches were obviously increased by APPJ treatment. The surfaces of starch granules were wrecked, due to plasma etching. No changes in the crystalline types of both starches were observed. However, the relative crystallinities (RCs) of WMS and NMS were reduced from 46.7% to 42.0%, and 40.1% to 35.7%, respectively. Moreover, the short-range molecular orders of both starches were slightly reduced. In addition, APPJ treatment resulted in lower gelatinization temperature and enthalpies. Therefore, APPJ provides a mild and green approach to starch modification, showing great potential for applications in the food and non-food industry.

Structural Orders of Wheat Starch Do Not Determine the In Vitro Enzymatic Digestibility

In this study, we elucidated the underlying mechanisms that are responsible for the rate-limiting step for wheat starch digestion. Wheat starch samples with a degree of gelatinization (DG) ranging from 0 to 100% were prepared. As DG increased, the ordered structures of the starch were disrupted increasingly. In contrast, almost all of the increase in the rate and extent of in vitro enzymatic digestion coincided with a DG of only 6% and a minor loss of structural order. As DG increased beyond 6%, digestibility of the starch increased only slightly. We propose that the access and binding of enzymes to starch is greatly increased with only a small DG, which is followed by the simultaneous hydrolysis of crystalline and amorphous areas in gelatinized starch. In vitro enzymatic digestibility of starch was determined predominantly by enzyme binding to starch rather than the ordered structures of starch.

Changes in color and texture of wheat noodles during chilled storage

Wheat noodles cooked for different periods of time were stored at 5 °C, and color changes in their cross sections were quantitatively assessed by digital image analysis. The color of noodles with flattened moisture distributions whitened greatly during the early stages of chilled storage due to the retrogradation of starch, with the color change showing a significant correlation with the changes in noodle fragility. Color changes were also measured for wheat noodles and noodles containing modified starch with internal moisture distributions, and local changes within the noodles were kinetically analyzed. The addition of modified starch significantly reduced the color change in the noodle interior, where the moisture content was relatively low. Scanning calorimetric measurements indicated differences in the gelatinized state of modified starch and original wheat starch at low moisture contents, which affected the rate of color change in the interior of noodles containing modified starch.

Kinetics on the turbidity change of wheat starch during its retrogradation

Wheat starch dispersions of 10–40% (w/w) were gelatinized and the change in turbidity of each solution during storage was measured in the 400–1100 nm wavelength range. The relative transmittance, defined as the ratio of transmittance at any storage time to that at the initial time, decreased when the solutions were stored at 5 and 30 °C; the decrease, reflecting the progress of retrogradation, was larger at 5 °C than at 30 °C. Most of the changes in relative transmission taking place over 14 days were achieved during the first 90 min. The change in the relative transmittance is inversely proportional to the energy required for deformation. The kinetics on change in relative transmittance can be expressed by Weibull equation. The larger rate constant at higher starch concentration could be ascribed to the state of the starch granules, which depended on starch concentration.

Retrogradation enthalpy does not always reflect the retrogradation behavior of gelatinized starch

Starch retrogradation is a term used to define the process in which gelatinized starch undergoes a disorder-to-order transition. A thorough understanding of starch retrogradation behavior plays an important role in maintaining the quality of starchy foods during storage. By means of DSC, we have demonstrated for the first time that at low water contents, the enthalpy change of retrograded starch is higher than that of native starch. In terms of FTIR and Raman spectroscopic results, we showed that the molecular order of reheated retrograded starch samples is lower than that of DSC gelatinized starch. These findings have led us to conclude that enthalpy change of retrograded starch at low water contents involves the melting of recrystallized starch during storage and residual starch crystallites after DSC gelatinization, and that the endothermic transition of retrograded starch gels at low water contents does not fully represent the retrogradation behavior of starch. Very low or high water contents do not favor the occurrence of starch retrogradation.

Dispersive and FT-Raman spectroscopic methods in food analysis

Raman spectroscopy is a powerful technique for molecular analysis of food samples.

Structural analysis of glucans

Glucans are most widespread polysaccharides in the nature. There is a large diversity in their molecular weight and configuration depending on the original source. According to the anomeric structure of glucose units it is possible to distinguish linear and branched α-, β- as well as mixed α,β-glucans with various glycoside bond positions and molecular masses. Isolation of glucans from raw sources needs removal of ballast compounds including proteins, lipids, polyphenols and other polysaccharides. Purity control of glucan fractions is necessary to evaluate the isolation and purification steps; more rigorous structural analyses of purified polysaccharides are required to clarify their structure. A set of spectroscopic, chemical and separation methods are used for this purpose. Among them, NMR spectroscopy is known as a powerful tool in structural analysis of glucans both in solution and in solid state. Along with chemolytic methods [methylation analysis (MA), periodate oxidation, partial chemical or enzymatic hydrolysis, etc.], correlation NMR experiments are able to determine the exact structure of tested polysaccharides. Vibration spectroscopic methods (FTIR, Raman) are sensitive to anomeric structure of glucans and can be used for purity control as well. Molecular weight distribution, homogeneity and branching of glucans can be estimated by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), laser light scattering (LLS) and viscometry.

Hyperspectral multimodal CARS microscopy in the fingerprint region

A simple scheme for multimodal coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy is based on the spectral focusing of ultrafast-oscillator-derived pump/probe light and synchronous photonic crystal fiber (PCF) fiber-generated broadband Stokes light. To date, such schemes allowed rapid hyperspectral imaging throughout the CH/OH high frequency region (2700-4000 cm(-1) ). Here we extend this approach to the middle (1640-3300 cm(-1) ) and fingerprint regions (850-1800 cm(-1) ) of the Raman spectrum. Our simple integrated approach to rapid hyperspectral CARS microscopy in the fingerprint region is demonstrated by applications to label-free multimodal imaging of cellulose and bulk bone, including use of the phosphate resonance at 960 cm(-1) .

Starch structure modulates metabolic activity and gut microbiota profile

Normal maize starch and high amylose maize starch (HAS) either in native or thermally treated forms were used to investigate the effect of starch structure on the production of metabolites and gut microbiota profile using an anaerobic in vitro system. The changes in starch structure during fermentation were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR). The native normal starch showed a porous structure during fermentation, indicating it was quickly metabolized by gut bacteria, whereas the HAS showed a smooth structure, suggesting it was utilized gradually. HPLC chromatography showed that amylose fraction with low molecular weight (MW) had a higher resistance to be fermented by gut bacteria than other starch molecular fractions. Thermal treatment enhanced starch fermentation kinetics, especially for amylopectin and high MW amylose fractions. FTIR analysis suggests that the structure of the normal starch, either in native or thermally treated, was less organized compared to HAS, and this structural character led to the normal starch to be utilized more quickly by gut bacteria with a faster increase in the IR ratio 1047/1022 cm(-1) (P < 0.01) during fermentation. The measurement of metabolic activity indicates that the normal starch with a less organized structure was utilized faster and generated more acetate and lactate during fermentation; HAS with a highly organized structure was more likely to produce butyrate, corresponding the significant increase (P < 0.001) in the populations of butyrate-producing strains (Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Eubacterium hallii) in the cultures. This study reveals that fermentation kinetics of starch substrate is one of important characteristics for manipulating gut microbiota fermentation behaviours.

Effect of the production method on the properties of RS3/RS4 type resistant starch. Part 2. Effect of a degree of substitution on the selected properties of acetylated retrograded starch

Resistant starch displays health-promoting properties. Starch preparations produced through acetylation of retrograded starch may be applied as a food additive. Apart from prebiotic properties, they may as well model the texture of a food product. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of retrogradation and acetylation conditions on properties of the produced RS3/4 type resistant starch. Native potato starch was used to produce starch pastes (1, 4, 10, 18 or 30g/100g), that were frozen, defrosted and dried. The resultant preparations of retrograded starch were acetylated with various doses of an acetic acid anhydride (3.25, 6.5, 13.0, 26.0 or 52.0ml/100g). The acetylated preparations of retrograded starch were characterised by increasing solubility in water and swelling power as well as a lower amylose content along with an increasing degree of their substitution with residues of acetic acid. Dependencies of: pasting temperatures, viscosity of the prepared pastes, and resistance of acetylated starch to the action of amyloglucosidase on the degree of substitution with acetic acid residues were described with a second degree polynomial function. The extent and range of changes were found to depend on the concentration of paste used to produce a retrograded starch preparation. The maximum resistance of RS3/4 preparations to the action of amyloglucosidase ranged from 28.7 to 45.9g/100g.

Multimodal CARS microscopy of structured carbohydrate biopolymers

We demonstrate the utility of multimodal coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy for the study of structured condensed carbohydrate systems. Simultaneous second-harmonic generation (SHG) and spectrally-scanned CARS microscopy was used to elucidate structure, alignment, and density in cellulose cotton fibers and in starch grains undergoing rapid heat-moisture swelling. Our results suggest that CARS response of the O-H stretch region (3000 cm(-1)-3400 cm(-1)), together with the commonly-measured C-H stretch (2750 cm(-1)-2970 cm(-1)) and SHG provide potentially important structural information and contrast in these materials.

Determination of amylose content in starch using Raman spectroscopy and multivariate calibration analysis

Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy and chemometric tools have been used for exploratory analysis of pure corn and cassava starch samples and mixtures of both starches, as well as for the quantification of amylose content in corn and cassava starch samples. The exploratory analysis using principal component analysis shows that two natural groups of similar samples can be obtained, according to the amylose content, and consequently the botanical origins. The Raman band at 480 cm(-1), assigned to the ring vibration of starches, has the major contribution to the separation of the corn and cassava starch samples. This region was used as a marker to identify the presence of starch in different samples, as well as to characterize amylose and amylopectin. Two calibration models were developed based on partial least squares regression involving pure corn and cassava, and a third model with both starch samples was also built; the results were compared with the results of the standard colorimetric method. The samples were separated into two groups of calibration and validation by employing the Kennard-Stone algorithm and the optimum number of latent variables was chosen by the root mean square error of cross-validation obtained from the calibration set by internal validation (leave one out). The performance of each model was evaluated by the root mean square errors of calibration and prediction, and the results obtained indicate that Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy can be used for rapid determination of apparent amylose in starch samples with prediction errors similar to those of the standard method.