Shear-thickening behavior of gelatinized waxy starch dispersions promoted by the starch molecular characteristics

Passerini three-component reaction for the synthesis of saccharide branched cellulose

In this work, we investigate a multicomponent synthetic method for combining saccharides with cellulose to produce saccharide branched cellulose (b-Cel). First, cellulose is modified conventionally using carboxymethyl to create carboxyl functional groups for multicomponent reactions. The Passerini three-component reaction (Passerini-3CR) is then used to synthesize the saccharide b-Cel, with particular attention paid to the scope of the substrate and reaction process optimization. The structure of saccharide b-Cel is regulated by modifying the carboxyl group of cellulose molecules, the kind of saccharide molecules (including glucose, galactose, lactose, cellobiose, and cellulose), and the degree of branching. The branched structure of saccharide b-Cel greatly influenced its rheological characteristics and solubility. This work presents a practical method for the synthesis of artificial branching polysaccharides and is crucial for the development of innovative materials based on biomass.

Multi-scale structures and physicochemical properties of waxy starches from different botanical origins

The multi-scale structures and physicochemical relationships of three different types of waxy starches (maize, tapioca, and potato) were investigated. The maize and tapioca starches exhibited A-type crystalline polymorph compared to potato starch (B-type). The WMS showed higher amorphous content (5.56 %) than other waxy starches. The WTS exhibited a low tendency of retrogradation with its high f_a (DP 6-12) and low f_b3 (DP ≥ 37) proportion of chains. Double helix content of WPS was observed highest with a high pasting viscosity (952.3 BU). Low f_a (DP 6-12) and high f_b3 (DP ≥ 37) chain proportions of the WPS retrograded easily. The compactness of the semi-crystalline aggregation structure influenced the retrogradation properties of waxy starches with a positive correlation. Furthermore, the peak viscosity of pastes was correlated with the proportion of f_b3 (DP ≥ 37) chains, mass fractal dimension, and double helix content. The results provide guidance to design the application of waxy starches in the production of clean-labels.

Rheological and Thermal Study about the Gelatinization of Different Starches (Potato, Wheat and Waxy) in Blend with Cellulose Nanocrystals

The goal of this work was to analyze the effect of CNCs on the gelatinization of different starches (potato, wheat and waxy maize) through the characterization of the rheological and thermal properties of starch–CNC blends. CNCs were blended with different starches, adding CNCs at concentrations of 0, 2, 6 and 10% w/w. Starch–CNC blends were processed by rapid visco-analysis (RVA) and cooled to 70 °C. Pasting parameters such as pasting temperature, peak, hold and breakdown viscosity were assessed. After RVA testing, starch–CNC blends were immediately analyzed by rotational and dynamic rheology at 70 °C. Gelatinization temperature and enthalpy were assessed by differential scanning calorimetry. Our results suggest that CNCs modify the starch gelatinization but that this behavior depends on the starch origin. In potato starch, CNCs promoted a less organized structure after gelatinization which would allow a higher interaction amylose–CNC. However, this behavior was not observed in wheat and waxy maize starch. Insights focusing on the role of CNC on gelatinization yielded relevant information for better understanding the structural changes that take place on starch during storage, which are closely related with starch retrogradation. This insight can be used as an input for the tailored design of novel materials oriented towards different technological applications.

Evaluation of the Physical Stability of Starch-Based Hydrogels Produced by High-Pressure Processing (HPP)

Starch-based hydrogels are natural polymeric structures with high potential interest for food, cosmeceutical, and pharmaceutical applications. In this study, the physical stability of starch-based hydrogels produced via high-pressure processing (HPP) was evaluated using conventional and accelerated methods. For this purpose, conventional stability measurements, namely swelling power, water activity, texture, and organoleptic properties, as well as microbiological analysis of rice, corn, wheat, and tapioca starch hydrogels, were determined at different time intervals during storage at 20 °C. Additionally, to assess the stability of these structures, accelerated tests based on temperature sweep tests and oscillatory rheological measurements, as well as temperature cycling tests, were performed. The experimental results demonstrated that the physical stability of starch-based HPP hydrogels was interdependently affected by the microorganisms’ action and starch retrogradation, leading to both organoleptic and texture modifications with marked reductions in swelling stability and firmness. It was concluded that tapioca starch hydrogels showed the lowest stability upon storage due to higher incidence of microbial spoilage. Accelerated tests allowed the good stability of HPP hydrogels to be predicted, evidencing good network strength and the ability to withstand temperature changes. Modifications of the rheological properties of corn, rice, and wheat hydrogels were only observed above 39 °C and at stress values 3 to 10 times higher than those necessary to modify commercial hydrogels. Moreover, structural changes to hydrogels after cycling tests were similar to those observed after 90 days of conventional storage. Data obtained in this work can be utilized to design specific storage conditions and product improvements. Moreover, the accelerated methods used in this study provided useful information, allowing the physical stability of starch-based hydrogels to be predicted.

Effects of different storage temperatures on the intra- and intermolecular retrogradation and digestibility of sago starch

Three different storage temperatures including room temperature (RT), 4 °C and -20 °C were investigated in this study, with respects to their effects on the retrogradation property and in vitro digestibility of gelatinized sago starch. Storage at -20 °C resulted in the highest amount of both intra- and intermolecular double helices and a fracture-like structure under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). These crystallites were more homogenous while less thermally stable than that from RT and 4 °C storage conditions. Storage at RT significantly increased the stability and heterogeneity of the formed crystallites, resulting in a sponge-like structure under SEM. Causally, the digestion rate of retrograded sago starch by α-amylase was significantly lowered after storage at -20 °C compared to that at RT and 4 °C. The crystallite heterogeneity, thermal stability, and ratio of inter- to intramolecular double helices were possibly the main driven factors for the observed digestion rates instead of the amount and micro-morphology of the crystallites. These results supply potential tools for the manufacture of food products with slower starch digestibility.

Stored Gelatinized Waxy Potato Starch Forms a Strong Retrograded Gel at Low pH with the Formation of Intermolecular Double Helices

Waxy potato amylopectin has longer internal and external linear chains than rice or corn amylopectin that are capable of retrograding to a higher degree, but its molecular recrystallization is impeded by unprotonated phosphate groups. Here, we studied whether retrogradation and gel properties of waxy potato starch can be enhanced by lowering pH. The gel strength of waxy potato starch was strongly inversely correlated with pH, going from 10 to 4, and its magnitude was higher at pH values in which the ζ potential of the system was low. Waxy potato starch formed a strong aggregate gel driven by the formation of intermolecular double helices (G' drop_{25-95 °C} ≈ 1358 Pa, melting ΔH = 9.5 J/g) when conditions that reduce electrostatic repulsion (pH 4, ζ = -1.7) are used, a phenomenon that was not observed in low-phosphorylated waxy cereal starches (i.e., waxy rice and corn).