Impact of ultrasound on structure, physicochemical properties, modifications, and applications of starch

Improving physicochemical and nutritional attributes of rice starch through green modification techniques

Rice, has long been an inseparable part of the human diet all over the world. As one of the most rapidly growing crops, rice has played a key role in securing the food chain of low-income food-deficit countries. Starch is the main component in rice granules which other than its nutritional essence, plays a key role in defining the physicochemical attributes of rice-based products. However, rice starch suffers from weak techno-functional characteristics (e.g., retrogradability of pastes, opacity of gels, and low shear/temperature resistibility. Green modification techniques (i.e. Non-thermal methods, Novel thermal (e.g., microwave, and ohmic heating) and enzymatic approaches) were shown to be potent tools in modifying rice starch characteristics without the exertion of unfavorable chemical reagents. This study corroborated the potential of green techniques for rice starch modification and provided deep insight for their further application instead of unsafe chemical methods.

Physicochemical and rheological properties of ultrasonic-assisted pregelatinized rice flour

This study evaluated the physical and rheological properties of whole rice flour treated for different sonication times (0-15 min). Ultrasonication reduces the particle size of rice flour and improves its solubility. Viscosity tests using RVA and steady shear showed a notable decrease in the viscosity of the rehydrated pregelatinized rice flour. Although no unusual patterns were observed in the XRD analysis, the FT-IR and microstructure morphology findings suggest that ultrasonication led to structural changes in the rice flour. Overall, the study indicates that ultrasonication is a practical and clean method for producing plant-based drinks from rice flour, which could expand its limited applications in the beverage industry.

Impact of ultrasound process on cassava starch nanoparticles and Pickering emulsions stability

Using green techniques to convert native starches into nanoparticles is an interesting approach to producing stabilizers for Pickering emulsions, aiming at highly stable emulsions in clean label products. Nanoprecipitation was used to prepare the Pickering starch nanoparticles, while ultrasound technique has been used to modulate the size of these nanoparticles at the same time as the emulsion was developed. Thus, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the stabilizing effect of cassava starch nanoparticles (SNP) produced by the nanoprecipitation technique combined with ultrasound treatment carried out in the presence of water and oil (more hydrophobic physicochemical environment), different from previous studies that carry out the mechanical treatment only in the presence of water. The results showed that the increased ultrasound energy input could reduce particle size (117.58 to 55.75 nm) and polydispersity (0.958 to 0.547) in aqueous dispersions. Subsequently, Pickering emulsions stabilized by SNPs showed that increasing emulsification (ultrasonication) time led to smaller droplet sizes and monomodal size distribution. Despite flocculation, long-term ultrasonication (6 and 9 min) caused little variation in the droplet size after 7 days of storage. The cavitation effects favored the interaction between oil droplets through weak attraction forces and particle sharing, favoring the Pickering stabilization against droplet coalescence. Our results show the potential to use only physical modifications to obtain nanoparticles that can produce coalescence-stable emulsions that are environmentally friendly.

Use of ultrasound to improve the activity of cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase in the producing of β-cyclodextrins: Impact on enzyme activity, stability and insights into changes on enzyme macrostructure

This work explored the impact of ultrasound (US) on the activity, stability, and macrostructural conformation of cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase (CGTase) and how these changes could maximize the production of β-cyclodextrins (β-CDs). The results showed that ultrasonic pretreatment (20 kHz and 38 W/L) at pH 6.0 promoted increased enzymatic activity. Specifically, after sonication at 25 °C/30 min, there was a maximum activity increase of 93 % and 68 % when biocatalysis was carried out at 25 and 55 °C, respectively. For activity measured at 80 °C, maximum increase (31 %) was observed after sonication at 25 °C/60 min. Comparatively, US pretreatment at low pH (pH = 4.0) resulted in a lower activity increase (max. 28 %). These activation levels were maintained after 24 h of storage at 8 °C, suggesting that changes on CGTase after ultrasonic pretreatment were not transitory. These pretreatments altered the conformational structure of CGTase, revealed by an up to 11 % increase in intrinsic fluorescence intensity, and resulted in macrostructural modifications, such as a decrease in particle size and polydispersion index (up to 85 % and 45.8 %, respectively). Therefore, the sonication of CGTase under specific conditions of pH, time, and temperature (especially at pH 6.0/ 30 min/ 25 °C) promotes macrostructural changes in CGTase that induce enzyme activation and, consequently, higher production of β-CDs.

Ultrasound-assisted annealing treatment to improve physicochemical and digestive properties of banana flour

BACKGROUND

Banana flour can provide a solution to people with gluten intolerance, as it is gluten-free. Native banana flour may have limited functionality in certain applications. In this study, banana flour was modified by ultrasonic (US) and annealing (ANN) treatments at four incubation time spans, namely 12, 24, 36 and 72 h, separately or combined sequentially (US-ANN) to enhance the physicochemical and digestive properties.

RESULTS

US led to exposed granular surfaces and damaged non-starch components. Both treatments, at extended incubation time, increased crystallinity, resulting in a narrower starch gelatinization temperature range. The swelling power was significantly lower for ANN and US-ANN compared to US alone, providing a delay of gelatinization temperature. However, none of the treatments affected the gelatinization enthalpy. Furthermore, US increased peak viscosity, breakdown, final viscosity and setback whereas the opposite results were obtained for ANN and US-ANN. Additionally, US prior to ANN significantly increased the resistant starch (RS) content for annealing times over 24 h, especially for the US-ANN treatment for 72 h, which provided the highest RS content (49.3%) compared to ANN treatment for 72 h (44.0%) and native flour (36.3%).

CONCLUSIONS

US prior to ANN treatment offers an alternative method to improve the functional and digestive properties of banana flour, extending the range of applications. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera G.) seed starch: Understanding the impact of physical modification sequence (ultrasonication and HMT) on properties and in vitro digestibility

Native lotus (Nelumbo nucifera G.) seed starch (LSS) was single- and dual-modified by heat-moisture treatment (HMT), ultrasonication (US), HMT followed by the US (HMT-US), and the US followed by HMT (US-HMT). The modified lotus seed starch (LSS) was evaluated for its physicochemical, pasting, thermal, and rheological properties and in vitro digestibility. All treatments decreased the swelling power (10.52-14.0 g/g), solubility (12.20-15.95 %), and amylose content (23.71-25.67 %) except for ultrasonication (17.67 g/g, 17.90 %, 29.09 %, respectively) when compared with native LSS (15.05 g/g, 16.12 %, 27.12 %, respectively). According to the rheological study, G' (1665-4004 Pa) was greater than G″ (119-308 Pa) for all LSS gel samples demonstrating their elastic character. Moreover, gelatinization enthalpy (17.56-16.05 J/g) increased in all treatments compared to native LSS (15.38 J/g). Ultrasonication treatment improved the thermal stability of LSS. The digestibility results showed that dual modification using HMT and US significantly enhanced resistant starch (RS) and reduced slowly digestible starch (SDS) in LSS. Cracks were observed on the surface of the modified LSS granules. Peak viscosity decreased in all modified starches except for ultrasonication, suggesting their resistance to shear-thinning during cooking, making them ideal weaning food components. The results obtained after different modifications in this study could be a useful ready reference to select appropriate modification treatments to produce modified LSS with desired properties depending on their end-use.

Bactericidal effect of ultrasound on glutinous rice during soaking and its influence on physicochemical properties of starch and quality characteristics of sweet dumplings

The soaking process of glutinous rice allows the growth and reproduction of microorganisms, which can easily cause food safety problems. In this work, the effects of different ultrasonic powers (150 W, 300 W, 450 W, and 600 W) on the bactericidal effect of glutinous rice, the physicochemical properties of starch and the quality characteristics of sweet dumplings were studied. Compared with soaking for 0 and 2 h, sonication of glutinous rice after soaking for 4 h was more effective at reducing the number of microorganisms in soaked glutinous rice, and the bactericidal effect increased with increasing ultrasound intensity. After 30 min, the total number of bacteria decreased by 2.04 log CFU/g. Moreover, ultrasonic treatment destroys the grain structure of glutinous rice starch, resulting in the formation of dents and cracks on the starch surface, increasing the amylose content, improving its expansion, reducing its short-range order and relative crystallinity, and altering its gelatinization characteristics. In addition, ultrasonic treatment increased the soup transparency of sweet dumplings from 51.8 % to 63.95 %, reducing their hardness, chewiness and adhesiveness. In summary, ultrasonic treatment can not only effectively kill microorganisms in soaked glutinous rice but also improve the quality of glutinous rice dumplings by changing the physicochemical properties of glutinous rice starch. The results of this study provide theoretical support for the application of ultrasonic technology in glutinous rice food production.

Advancing sustainable bioplastics: chemical and physical modification of starch films for enhanced thermal and barrier properties

This study addresses the urgent need for sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics by focusing on modification of thermoplastic starch (TPS) derived from renewable biomass sources. Despite TPS's biodegradability and cost advantages, its limitations in mechanical strength and water resistance prompted the investigation of physical and chemical modifications. Ultrasonication, autoclaving, and cross-linking with substances like citric acid and STMP (sodium trimetaphosphate)/STPP (sodium tripolyphosphate) were employed, with citric acid crosslinking standing out for its significant enhancement of transparency, especially beneficial for packaging applications. Film thickness varied with modification methods, with ultrasonicated films exhibiting thinner structures. Differential scanning calorimetry revealed insights into molecular interactions, with citric acid crosslinked film showing a substantial increase in thermal stability of the polymer at 164 °C, while moisture content analysis showed the impact of ultrasonication on reducing water absorption and citric acid crosslinking enhancing dimensional stability. Water vapor transmission rate data highlighted the effectiveness of ultrasonication in creating films with reduced permeability, and citric acid cross-linked films demonstrated potential for tailored water vapor barrier properties. Static water contact angle results indicated the hydrophobicity of films, with citric acid crosslinked films showing significantly more hydrophobic surfaces. The study also delved into water solubility, emphasizing the influence of depolymerization in ultrasonicated films and strengthened starch networks in crosslinked films, affecting their biodegradability. In conclusion, this comprehensive exploration demonstrates the feasibility of producing robust starch films with improved physicochemical properties through physical and chemical modifications, offering potential solutions in the quest for environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional plastics.

Ultrasonication: An Efficient Alternative for the Physical Modification of Starches, Flours and Grains

Ultrasonic (USC) treatments have been applied to starches, flours and grains to modify their physicochemical properties and improve their industrial applicability. The extent of the modification caused by USC treatment depends on the treatment conditions and the natural characteristics of the treated matter. Cavitation leads to structural damage and fragmentation and partial depolymerization of starch components. The amorphous regions are more susceptible to being disrupted by ultrasonication, while the crystalline regions require extended USC exposure to be affected. The increased surface area in USC-treated samples has a higher interaction with water, resulting in modification of the swelling power, solubility, apparent viscosity, pasting properties and gel rheological and textural properties. Starch digestibility has been reported to be modified by ultrasonication to different extents depending on the power applied. The most important treatment variables leading to more pronounced modifications in USC treatments are the botanical origin of the treated matter, USC power, time, concentration and temperature. The interaction between these factors also has a significant impact on the damage caused by the treatment. The molecular rearrangement and destruction of starch structures occur simultaneously during the USC treatment and the final properties of the modified matrix will depend on the array of treatment parameters. This review summarizes the known effects of ultrasonic treatments in modifying starches, flours and grains.

Sonication-mediated modulation of macronutrient structure and digestibility in chickpea

Ultrasound processing is an emerging green technology that has the potential for wider application in the food processing industry. While the effects of ultrasonication on isolated macromolecules such as protein and starch have been reported, the effects of physical barriers on sonication on these macro-molecules, for example inside whole seed, tissue or cotyledon cells, have mostly been overlooked. Intact chickpea cells were subjected to sonication with different ultrasound processing times, and the effects of sonication on the starch and protein structure and digestibility were studied. The digestibility of these macronutrients significantly increased with the extension of processing time, which, however was not due to the molecular degradation of starch or protein but related to damage to cell wall macro-structure with increasing sonication time, leading to enhanced enzyme accessibility. Through this study, it is demonstrated that ultrasound processing has least effect on whole food structure, for example, whole seeds but can modulate the nutrient bioavailability without changing the properties of the macronutrients in seed fractions e.g. intact cells, offering new scientific knowledge on effect of ultrasound in whole foods at various length scales.

Effect of ultrasound geometry on the production efficiency of damaged starch: Determining rheology parameters, and non-isothermal reaction kinetics

Present study investigates the effects of probe size geometry on thermodynamic kinetics, rheology, and microstructure of wheat and tapioca starch. Ultrasound treatment using different probe diameters (20 mm and 100 mm) significantly influenced the gelatinization process. Results showed reduced enthalpy (ΔH) and Gibbs energy (ΔG), indicating enhanced gelatinization efficiency. According to the results, using a 20 mm and 100 mm probe leads to a reduction of 52.7 % and 68.6 % in reaction enthalpy for wheat starch compared to native starch, respectively. Microstructure analysis revealed structural changes, with ultrasound treatment leading to granular fractures and a sheet-like structure with air bubbles. The rheological behavior of the starches is found to exhibit shear thinning behavior, with the Casson model providing the best fit for the experimental data. Moreover, rheology modeling using Herschel-Bulkley and power law models showed increased viscosity and shear stress in larger probes. Numerical simulation data demonstrated that probe size influenced ultrasonic pressure, sound pressure level, and thermal power dissipation density, affecting fluid motion and velocity field components. Moreover, the maximum dissipated power decreases from 8.43 to 0.655 mW/m3 with an increase in probe diameter from 20 to 100 mm. The average yield shear stress values are calculated as 3.36 and 3.14 for wheat and tapioca starches, respectively. The larger probe diameter leads to greater entropy increases, with tapioca starch showing a 4.72 % increase and wheat starch a 4.97 % increase, compared to 2.56 % and 3.11 %, respectively, with the smaller probe. Additionally, the Keller-Miksis model provided insights into bubble dynamics, revealing increased pressure and temperature with higher pressure amplitudes.

Ultrasonication followed by aqueous two-phase system for extraction, on-site modification and isolation of microalgal starch with reduced digestibility

Microalgae are new and sustainable sources of starch with higher productivity and flexible production modes than conventional terrestrial crops, but the downstream processes need further development. Here, ultrasonication (with power of 200 W or 300 W and duration of 10, 15, 20, or 25 min) was applied to simultaneously extract and modify starch from a marine microalga Tetraselmis subcordiformis for reducing the digestibility, and an aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) of ethanol/NaH2PO4 was then used to isolate the starches with varied properties. Increasing ultrasonic duration facilitated the partition of starch into the bottom pellet, while enhancing the ultrasonic power was conducive to the allocation in the interphase of the ATPS. The overall starch recovery yield reached 73 ∼ 87 % and showed no significant difference among the ultrasonic conditions tested. The sequential ultrasonication-ATPS process successfully enriched the starch with purities up to 65 % ∼ 88 %, which was among the top levels reported in microalgal starch isolated. Ultrasonication produced more amylose which was mainly fractionated into the interface of the ATPS. The digestibility of the starch was altered under different ultrasonic conditions and varied from different ATPS phases as well, with the one under the ultrasonic power of 200 W for 15 min at the bottom pellet having the highest resistant starch content (RS, 39.7 %). The structural and compositional analysis evidenced that the ultrasonication-ATPS process could exert impacts on the digestibility through altering the surface roughness and fissures of the starch granules, modulating the impurity compositions (protein and lipid) that could interact with starch, and modifying the long- and short-range ordered structures. The developed ultrasonication-ATPS process provided novel insights into the mechanism and strategy for efficient production of functional starch from microalgae with a potential in industrial application.

Understanding starch gelatinization and rheology modeling of tapioca starch- NaCl/CaCl2 blends: Thermodynamic properties and gelatinization reaction kinetics during pre- and post-ultrasonication

The presence of salt can impact the fluid phase and gelatinization process of starch granules. The variation in viscosity and rheology models including the Herschel-Bulkley, the Casson model, and the power law, were determined by adding salts before and after starch ultrasonication. Non-isothermal kinetics can be utilized for the mathematical modeling of the gelatinization process and the evolution of the reaction. Unlike Na+ ions, Ca+2 ions notably elevate viscosity. The Casson model accurately predicts viscosity data. Results indicate that the addition of Na+ ions decreases yield stress by up to 60.4 %, while Ca+2 ions increase by up to 100.8 %. Adding Na+ ions decreases the required thermal energy by as much as 49.6 %, while the presence of Ca+2 ions can lead to a substantial increase of up to 337.1 % compared to control samples. The positive ∆G indicates a non-spontaneous gelatinization process. The addition of NaCl promotes a spontaneous reaction, while the addition of CaCl2 increases the Gibbs energy. The changes in entropy are minimal, implying minimal changes in starches' disorder structure.

Starch nanoparticles with predictable size prepared by alternate treatments of ball milling and ultrasonication

In this study, starch nanoparticles (SNPs) were prepared by alternate treatments of liquid nitrogen ball milling and ultrasonication. The impact, shear and friction forces produced by ball milling, and acoustic cavitation and shear effects generated by ultrasonication disrupted starch granules to prepare SNPs. The SNPs possessed narrow particle size distribution (46.91-210.52 nm) and low polydispersity index (0.28-0.45). Additionally, the SNPs exhibited the irregular fragments with good uniformity. The relative crystallinity decreased from 34.91 % (waxy corn starch, WCS) to 0-25.91 % (SNPs), and the absorbance ratios of R1047/1022 decreased from 0.81 (WCS) to 0.60-0.76 (SNPs). The SNPs had lower thermal stability than that of WCS, characterized by a decrease in Td (temperature at maximum weight loss) from 309.39 °C (WCS) to 300.39-305.75 °C (SNPs). Furthermore, the SNPs exhibited excellent swelling power (3.48-28.02 %) and solubility (0.34-0.97 g/g). Notably, oil absorption capacity of the SNPs (9.77-15.67 g/g) was rather greater than that of WCS (1.33 g/g). Furthermore, the SNPs possessed the lower storage modulus (G'), loss modulus (G″) and viscosity than that of WCS. The SNPs with predictable size and high dispersion capability prepared in this study lay a foundation for expanding the application of SNPs.

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.

Towards Negative Emissions: Hydrothermal Carbonization of Biomass for Sustainable Carbon Materials

The contemporary production of carbon materials heavily relies on fossil fuels, contributing significantly to the greenhouse effect. Biomass is a carbon-neutral resource whose organic carbon is formed from atmospheric CO2. Employing biomass as a precursor for synthetic carbon materials can fix atmospheric CO2 into solid materials, achieving negative carbon emissions. Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) presents an attractive method for converting biomass into carbon materials, by which biomass can be transformed into materials with favorable properties in a distinct hydrothermal environment, and these carbon materials have made extensive progress in many fields. However, the HTC of biomass is a complex and interdisciplinary problem, involving simultaneously the physical properties of the underlying biomass and sub/supercritical water, the chemical mechanisms of hydrothermal synthesis, diverse applications of resulting carbon materials, and the sustainability of the entire technological routes. This review starts with the analysis of biomass composition and distinctive characteristics of the hydrothermal environment. Then, the factors influencing the HTC of biomass, the reaction mechanism, and the properties of resulting carbon materials are discussed in depth, especially the different formation mechanisms of primary and secondary hydrochars. Furthermore, the application and sustainability of biomass-derived carbon materials are summarized, and some insights into future directions are provided.

Dielectric barrier discharge cold plasma modifies the multiscale structure and functional properties of banana starch

Banana starch has attracted significant attention due to its abundant content of resistant starch. This study aims to compare the multiscale structure and functional properties of banana starch obtained from five cultivated varieties and investigate the impact of dielectric barrier discharge cold plasma (DBD) treatment on these starch characteristics. All five types of natural banana starch exhibited an elliptical and irregular shape, conforming to the CB crystal structure, with a bimodal distribution of branch chain lengths. The resistant starch content ranged from 88.9 % to 94.1 %. Variations in the amylose content, amylopectin branch chain length distribution, and structural characteristics resulted in differences in properties such as gelatinization behavior and sensitivity to DBD treatment. The DBD treatment inflicted surface damage on starch granules, reduced the amylose content, shortened the amylopectin branch chain length, and changed the relative crystallinity to varying degrees. The DBD treatment significantly increased starch solubility and light transmittance. Simultaneously, it resulted in a noteworthy decrease in peak viscosity and gelatinization enthalpy of starch paste. The in vitro digestibility test showed that 76.2 %-86.5 % of resistant starch was retained after DBD treatment. The DBD treatment renders banana starch with reduced viscosity, increased paste transparency, enhanced solubility, and broadens its potential application.

Preparation of the black rice starch-gallic acid complexes by ultrasound treatment: Physicochemical properties, multiscale structure, and in vitro digestibility

This study aimed to investigate the multiscale structure, physicochemical properties, and in vitro digestibility of black rice starch (BRS) and gallic acid (GA) complexes prepared using varying ultrasound powers. The findings revealed that ultrasonic treatment disrupted BRS granules while enhancing the composite degree with GA. The starch granules enlarged and aggregated into complexes with uneven surfaces. Moreover, the crystallinity of the BRS-GA complexes increased to 22.73 % and formed V6-I-type complexes through non-covalent bonds. The increased short-range ordering of the complexes and nuclear magnetic resonance hydrogen (1H NMR) further indicated that the BRS and GA molecules interacted mainly through non-covalent bonds such as hydrogen bonds. Additionally, ultrasound reduced the viscoelasticity of the complexes while minimizing the mass loss of the complexes at the same temperature. In vitro digestion results demonstrated an increase in resistant starch content up to 37.60 % for the BRS-GA complexes. Therefore, ultrasound contributes to the formation of V-typed complexes of BRS and GA, which proves the feasibility of using ultrasound alone for the preparation of starch and polyphenol complexes while providing a basis for the multiscale structure and digestibility of polyphenol and starch complexes.

Combined effect of heat moisture and ultrasound treatment on the physicochemical, thermal and structural properties of new variety of purple rice starch

The advantages of physically modifying starch are evident: minimal environmental impact, no by-products, and straightforward control. The impact of dual modification on starch properties is contingent upon modification conditions and starch type. Herein, we subjected purple rice starch (PRS) to heat-moisture treatment (HMT, 110 °C, 4 h) with varying moisture content, ultrasound treatment (UT, 50 Hz, 30 min) with different ultrasonic power, and a combination of HMT and UT. Our findings reveal that UT following HMT dispersed starch granules initially aggregated by HMT and resulted in a rougher granule surface. Rheological analysis showcased a synergistic effect of HMT and UT, enhancing the fluidity of PRS and reinforcing its resistance to deformation in paste form. The absorbance ratio R1047/1015 indicates that increased moisture content during HMT and high ultrasound power for UT reduced the short-range order degree (1.69). However, the combined HMT-UT exhibited an increased R1047/1015 (1.38-1.64) compared to HMT alone (1.29-1.45), likely due to short-chain rearrangement. Notably, the A-type structure of PRS remained unaltered, but overall crystallinity significantly decreased (23.01 %-28.56 %), consistent with DSC results. In summary, physical modifications exerted significant effects on PRS, shedding light on the mechanisms governing the transformation of structural properties during HMT-UT.

Functionalization Methods of Starch and Its Derivatives: From Old Limitations to New Possibilities

It has long been known that starch as a raw material is of strategic importance for meeting primarily the nutritional needs of people around the world. Year by year, the demand not only for traditional but also for functional food based on starch and its derivatives is growing. Problems with the availability of petrochemical raw materials, as well as environmental problems with the recycling of post-production waste, make non-food industries also increasingly interested in this biopolymer. Its supporters will point out countless advantages such as wide availability, renewability, and biodegradability. Opponents, in turn, will argue that they will not balance the problems with its processing and storage and poor functional properties. Hence, the race to find new methods to improve starch properties towards multifunctionality is still ongoing. For these reasons, in the presented review, referring to the structure and physicochemical properties of starch, attempts were made to highlight not only the current limitations in its processing but also new possibilities. Attention was paid to progress in the non-selective and selective functionalization of starch to obtain materials with the greatest application potential in the food (resistant starch, dextrins, and maltodextrins) and/or in the non-food industries (hydrophobic and oxidized starch).

Polymorphic nanostarch-mediated assembly of bioactives

Starch as an edible, biosafe, and functional biopolymer, has been tailored at nanoscale to deliver bioactive guests. Nanostarches fabricated in various morphologies including nanosphere, nanorod, nanoworm, nanovesicle, nanopolyhedron, nanoflake, nanonetwork etc., enable them to assemble different kinds of bioactives due to structural particularity and green modification. Previous studies have reviewed nanostarch for its preparation and application in food, however, no such work has been done for the potential of delivery system via polymorphic nanostarches. In this review, we focus on the merits of nanostarch empowered by multi-morphology for delivery system, and also conclude the assembly strategies and corresponding properties of nanostarch-based carrier. Additionally, the advantages, limitations, and future perspectives of polymorphic nanostarch are summarized to better understand the micro/nanostarch architectures and their regulation for the compatibility of bioactive molecules. According to the morphology of carrier, nanostarch effectively captures bioactives on the surface and/or inside core to form tight complexes, which maintains their stability in the human microenvironment. It improves the bioavailability of bioactive guests by different assembly approaches of carrier/guest surface combination, guest@carrier embedment, and nanostarch-mediated encapsulation. Targeted release of delivery systems is stimulated by the microenvironment conditions based on the complex structure of nanostarch loaded with bioactives.

Investigation of ultrasound-assisted starch acetylation by single- and dual- frequency ultrasound based on rheology modelling, non-isothermal reaction kinetics, and flow/acoustic simulation

To achieve wheat starch acetylation (AC) with a high degree of substitution (DS), the acetylation process was carried out using various ultrasonication frequencies, including 25 kHz, 40 kHz, and 25 + 40 kHz. In the second step, wheat starch's ultrasound-assisted acetylation (UAA) is simulated using various approaches including the rheology models, non-isothermal reaction kinetics, and flow/acoustic modelling. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation solves the non-linear acoustic governing equation to determine the flow field and the amount of delivered ultrasound energy. The acetylated starch increased peak and final viscosity, with the highest values observed for the 25 + 40 kHz frequency than other single frequencies (25 kHz and 40 kHz). The viscosity of the starch is specified based on the experimental data using Herschel-Bulkley, power law, and Casson rheology models. According to differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis, the gelatinization parameters and enthalpy of gelatinization (ΔHgel), were found to be lower in acetylated starches at the frequency of 25 + 40 kHz compared to those at frequencies of 25 kHz and 40 kHz, as well as native starches (NS). Moreover, the gelatinization process is examined by implementing the non-isothermal reaction kinetics to obtain the activation energy and reaction order. Based on the results obtained, implementing sonication at 25 kHz reduces the activation energy by 70.3 % compared to native starch. However, the same parameter is obtained to be 69.9 % and 67.1 % for the application of 40 and 25 + 40 kHz transducers, respectively. Additionally, during the sonication treatment, the yield shear stress increases between 24.1 and 31.8 %, based on the applied frequency. Morphology analysis determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the surfaces and small granules underwent more damage in acetylated starches at frequencies of 25 kHz and 40 kHz. However, in acetylated starches at 25 + 40 kHz, the larger granules were more affected than the smaller ones.

Impact of ultrasound treatment on the structural modifications and functionality of carbohydrates - A review

Carbohydrates are crucial in food as essential biomolecules, serving as natural components, ingredients, or additives. Carbohydrates have numerous applications in the food industry as stabilizers, thickeners, sweeteners, and humectants. The properties and functionality of the carbohydrates undergo alterations when exposed to various thermal or non-thermal treatments. Ultrasonication is a non-thermal method that modifies the structural arrangement of carbohydrate molecules. These structural changes lead to enhanced gelling and viscous nature of the carbohydrates, thus enhancing their scope of application. Ultrasound may improve carbohydrate functionality in an environmentally sustainable way, leaving no chemical residues. The high-energy ultrasound treatments significantly reduce the molecular size of complex carbohydrates. Sonication parameters like treatment intensity, duration of treatment, and energy applied significantly affect the molecular size, depolymerization, viscosity, structural modifications, and functionality of carbohydrate biomolecules. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of ultrasound-assisted modifications in carbohydrates and the changes in functional properties induced by sonication.

Improvement of physicochemical properties, microstructure and stability of lotus root starch/xanthan gum stabilized emulsion by multi-frequency power ultrasound

Multi-frequency power ultrasound was applied as an environmentally friendly technique to control the nanoparticles (LS/XG-NPs) embedded with lotus root starch/xanthan gum, with the aim of enhancing the stability of Pickering emulsions. The present investigation was centered on evaluating the impact of ultrasound technology on various aspects of the emulsions, encompassing their mean particle size, particle size distribution, zeta potential, microstructure, rheological characteristics, and environmental stability. The findings of this study indicate that ultrasonic treatment enhanced the adsorption of LS/XG-NP onto oil droplets surface, resulting in a reduction in their size. Additionally, ultrasonic treatment decreased the viscosity and Brownian motion rate of the emulsion stabilized by LS/XG-NP, leading to increased fluidity. Furthermore, the emulsion's thermal stability and resistance to environmental oxidation were significantly enhanced through ultrasonic treatment. The Pickering emulsions that were prepared using ultrasound demonstrated excellent resistance to acid, alkali (pH 2-8) and salt ions (50-300 mM NaCl) for a period of 30 days during storage. It was worth anticipating that ultrasound-assisted LS/XG-NPs could efficiently retard the volatilization of fishy odor components within fish oil. Taken together, the present research has evinced the efficacy of ultrasound in enhancing the stability of Pickering emulsions coated with LS/XG-NPs. These findings offer significant novel insights into the advancement of ultrasound-assisted Pickering emulsions that are stabilized with starch-based or biopolymeric materials.

Impact of long-term ultrasound treatment on structural and physicochemical properties of starches differing in granule size

Granule size is a critical parameter affecting starch processing properties. Ultrasound treatments of up to 22 h were applied on two starches differing in granule size (quinoa starch and maize starch). The two starches showed significantly different trends in both structural and physicochemical aspects affected by the ultrasound treatments. For the small granule starch (volume-weighted mean particle size of 1.79 μm), short-term ultrasonication caused an increase of swelling power. As the treatment time increased, the physicochemical properties were influenced by the degradation of amylopectin external chains. The X-ray diffraction results showed a decrease of relative crystallinity and changes of peak areas with long-term treatment. On the other hand, a balance between amylose leaching and surface damages was seen for the large granule starch (volume-weighted mean particle size of 18.3 μm). The effect of ultrasound modification on starches with different molecular and granular structures was discussed. A possible mechanism of the ultrasound effect was proposed.

The effect of non-thermal physical modification on the structure, properties and chemical activity of starch: A review

Non-thermal physical treatments has obvious advantages in regulating the structure and properties of starch compared with chemical treatment. Hance, this article summarized and compared the effects of three kinds of non-thermal physical treatments including grinding and ball milling, high hydrostatic pressure and ultrasonic on the structure, properties and chemical activity of starches from different plants. The potential applications of non-thermal physical modified starch were introduced. And strategies to solve the problems in the current research were put forward. It is found that although starch has a dense structure, the starch granules could be deformed under three kinds of non-thermal physical treatments, which could damage the granule morphology, microstructure, and crystal structure of starch, reduce particle size, increase solubility and swelling power, and promote starch gelatinization. Three kinds of non-thermal physical treated starch could be used as flocculant thickener, starch based edible films and fat substitutes. Non-thermal physical treatments caused the structure of starch to undergo three stages, which were similar to mechanochemical effects. When starch was in the stress stage and the transition stage from aggregation to agglomeration, its active sites significantly increase and move inward, ultimately leading to a significant increase in the chemical activity of starch.

Changes in the structural and physicochemical characteristics of sonicated potato flour

Ultrasound has been widely used for physical modifications of starch because of its effectiveness and environment friendliness; however, only a few reports have focused on the effect of varying ultrasonic treatments on the physicochemical properties of potato flour. In the present study, ultrasound at varying power levels (200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 W) and time intervals (20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 min) were used to obtain sonicated flour. Sonicated potato flour exhibited a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in blue value and oil holding capacity but an increase in swelling power, water solubility, syneresis rate, and transparency. Moreover, ultrasound decreased the RDS content while increasing RS and SDS contents. Thermal properties demonstrated significant (P < 0.05) increases in T0 (64.39℃-83.52℃) and TC (144.29℃-146.87℃) but a decrease in ΔH of the sonicated flour. SEM revealed wrinkles, less debris, and larger particle size at the surface of the sonicated flour. FTIR profiles of all samples exhibited similar characteristics peaks, but the sonicated flour had a higher R1047/1022 value. Additionally, ultrasound did not affect crystalline patterns, but it increased the crystallinity of the sonicated flour. Our study contributes to the understanding of physicochemical property changes of sonicated potato flour, which could have industrial applications.

Application progress of ultrasonication in flour product processing: A review

Flour products played a vital role in the global diet structure. With the increasing demand for dietary health and food standardization, the staple food of flour products made from coarse grains due to its unique flavor and rich nutrition has become a trend and is favored by consumers. However, the lack of gluten protein in the raw materials prevented the formation of a stable gluten network structure, leading to the deterioration of the quality of flour products. Ultrasonic treatment, as an innovative food processing technology, generated energy during the action of ultrasonic waves that had a positive impact on the texture, organizational structure, or flavor characteristics of food. That was of great significance for improving food production efficiency, improving food processing quality, and extending food shelf life. This article applied ultrasonic technology to the processing of flour products from the perspective of promoting fermentation and improving production efficiency of flour products. The cavitation effect of ultrasound promoted the formation of gluten network structure, improved the rheology properties of dough and the quality of flour products by promoting protein cross-linking, improving the foaming and emulsifying stability of gluten protein, and promoting the growth and reproduction of yeast. All reviewed studies indicate that ultrasound would be a promising technology for producing high-quality surface products under appropriate conditions.

Preparation, multi-scale structures, and functionalities of acetylated starch: An updated review

Acetylated starch has been widely used as food additives. However, there was limited information available regarding the impact of acetylation on starch structure and functionalities, as well as the advanced acetylation technologies. This review aimed to summarize current methods for starch acetylation and discuss the structure and functionalities of acetylated starch. Innovative techniques, such as milling, microwave, pulsed electric fields, ultrasonic, and extrusion, could be employed for environmental-friendly synthesis of acetylated starch. Acetylation led to the degradation of starch structures and weakening of the interactions between starch molecules, resulting in the disorganization of starch multi-scale ordered structure. The introduction of acetyl groups retarded the self-reassembly behavior of starch, leading to increased solubility, clarity, and softness of starch-based hydrogels. Moreover, the acetyl groups improved water/oil absorption capacity, emulsifiability, film-forming properties, and colonic fermentability of starch, while reduced the susceptibility of starch molecules to enzymes. Importantly, starch functionalities were largely influenced by the decoration of acetyl groups on starch molecules, while the impact of multi-scale ordered structures on starch physicochemical properties was relatively minor. These findings will aid in the design of structured acetylated starch with desirable functionalities.

Effect of Ultrasonic Treatment on Structure and Physicochemical Properties of Pea Starch

The effects of ultrasonic treatment on the structure and physicochemical properties of pea starch were investigated in this study. The results showed that ultrasonic treatment increased the hydrolysis rate and particle size of pea starch. In the process of treatment, there were some depressions and pores on the surface of pea starch granules. Although the crystallization type of starch was retained, its crystallinity decreased. The pasting temperature of pea starch remained stable after ultrasonic treatment, but its peak viscosity, trough viscosity, cold viscosity, breakdown viscosity and setback viscosity all declined significantly. The transparency of starch paste decreased, but proper ultrasonic treatment could improve the strength of starch gel. The obtained results can provide a reference for the physical modification of pea starch.

Improving the swelling capacity of granular cold-water rice starch by ultrasound-assisted alcoholic-alkaline treatment

The aim of this study was to determine the ability to improve the capacity of cold swelling and cold-water solubility of rice starch by ultrasonic-assisted alcohol-alkaline and alcohol-alkaline methods. To achieve this, ultrasound powers (U) were varied (30%, 70%, 100%) under the granular cold-water swelling starch (GCWSS) preparation (GCWSS + 30 %U, GCWSS + 70 %U, and GCWSS + 100 %U). The effects of these methods on morphological, pasting properties, amylose content, ratio of 1047/1022 spectra by FTIR, turbidity, freeze-thaw stability, and gel texture were also studied and compared. The results showed that the surface of GCWSS granules presented a honeycomb especially GCWSS + U treatments exhibited more porous on the surface of starch granules. The cold swelling power and solubility of GCWSS + U samples were increased which confirmed by reducing ratio of ordered structure to amorphous structure of starch, and turbidity was also decreased. Moreover, pasting temperature, breakdown, final viscosity, and setback decreased while peak viscosity increased as measured using a Rapid Visco Analyzer. The freeze-thaw stability of GCWSS + U was more resistant to syneresis than GCWSS under repeated freeze-thaw cycles. The reduction of gel hardness and springiness was observed using Texture Analyzer. These changes were enhanced with increasing ultrasound powers. Thus, the results indicate that the different ultrasound-assisted alcohol-alkaline treatments for preparing GCWSS show an effective use in the preparation of GCWSS with improved cold-water swelling and reduced retrogradation of rice starch.

Effects of Shear Stress Waves on Meat Tenderness: Ultrasonoporation

Meat is an important part of the food pyramid in Mexico, to such an extent that it is included in the basic food basket. In recent years, there has been great interest in the application of so-called emerging technologies, such as high-intensity ultrasound (HIU), to modify the characteristics of meat and meat products. The advantages of the HIU in meat such as pH, increased water-holding capacity, and antimicrobial activity are well documented and conclusive. However, in terms of meat tenderization, the results are confusing and contradictory, mainly when they focus on three HIU parameters: acoustic intensity, frequency, and application time. This study explores via a texturometer the effect of HIU-generated acoustic cavitation and ultrasonoporation in beef (m. Longissimus dorsi). Loin-steak was ultrasonicated with the following parameters: time t_HIU = 30 min/each side; frequency f_HIU = 37 kHz; acoustic intensity I_HIU = ~6, 7, 16, 28, and 90 W/cm². The results showed that acoustic cavitation has a chaotic effect on the loin-steak surface and thickness of the rib-eye due to Bjerknes force, generating shear stress waves, and acoustic radiation transmittance via the internal structure of the meat and the modification of the myofibrils, in addition to the collateral effect in which the collagen and pH generated ultrasonoporation. This means that HIU can be beneficial for the tenderization of meat.

Cultivation pattern affects starch structure and physicochemical properties of yam (Dioscorea persimilis)

Yam (Dioscorea spp.) is a major food source in many countries due to its tuber rich in starch (60 %-89 % of the dry weight) and various important micronutrients. Orientation Supergene Cultivation (OSC) pattern is a simple and efficient cultivation mode developed in China in recent years. However, little is known about its effect on yam tuber starch. In this study, the starchy tuber yield, starch structure and physicochemical properties were compared and analyzed in detail between OSC and Traditional Vertical Cultivation (TVC) with Dioscorea persimilis "zhugaoshu", a widely cultivated variety. The results proved that OSC significantly increased tuber yield (23.76 %-31.86 %) and commodity quality (more smooth skin) compared with TVC in three consecutive years of field experiments. Moreover, OSC increased amylopectin content, resistant starch content, granule average diameter and average degree of crystallinity by 2.7 %, 5.8 %, 14.7 % and 9.5 %, respectively, while OSC decreased starch molecular weight (Mw). These traits resulted in starch with lower thermal properties (To, Tp, Tc, ΔH_gel), but higher pasting properties (PV, TV). Our results indicated that cultivation pattern affected the yam production and starch physicochemical properties. It would not only provide a practical basis for OSC promotion, but also provide valuable information on how to guide the yam starch end use in food and non-food industries.

Starch Nanoparticles: Preparation, Properties and Applications

Starch as a natural polymer is abundant and widely used in various industries around the world. In general, the preparation methods for starch nanoparticles (SNPs) can be classified into 'top-down' and 'bottom-up' methods. SNPs can be produced in smaller sizes and used to improve the functional properties of starch. Thus, they are considered for the various opportunities to improve the quality of product development with starch. This literature study presents information and reviews regarding SNPs, their general preparation methods, characteristics of the resulting SNPs and their applications, especially in food systems, such as Pickering emulsion, bioplastic filler, antimicrobial agent, fat replacer and encapsulating agent. The aspects related to the properties of SNPs and information on the extent of their utilisation are reviewed in this study. The findings can be utilised and encouraged by other researchers to develop and expand the applications of SNPs.

Designing liquefaction and saccharification processes of highly concentrated starch slurry: Challenges and recent advances

Starch-based sugars are an important group of starch derivatives used in food, medicine, chemistry, and other fields. The production of starch sugars involves starch liquefaction and saccharification processes. The production cost of starch sugars can be reduced by increasing the initial concentration of starch slurry. However, the usage of the highly concentrated starch slurry is characterized by challenges such as low reaction efficiency and poor product performance during the liquefaction and saccharification processes. In this study, we endeavored to provide a reference guide for improving high-concentration starch sugar production. Thus, we reviewed the effects of substrate concentration on the starch sugar production process and summarized several potential strategies. These regulation strategies, such as physical field pretreatment, complex enzyme-assisted, and temperature control, can significantly increase the starch concentration and mitigate the challenges of using highly concentrated starch slurry. We believe that highly concentrated starch sugar production will achieve a qualitative leap in the future. This review provides theoretical guidance and highlights the importance of high concentration in starch-based sugar production. Further studies are needed to explore the fine structure and enzyme attack mode during the liquefaction and saccharification processes to regulate the production of more targeted products.

Sonoprocessing: mechanisms and recent applications of power ultrasound in food

There is a growing interest in using green technologies in the food industry. As a green processing technique, ultrasound has a great potential to be applied in many food applications. In this review, the basic mechanism of ultrasound processing technology has been discussed. Then, ultrasound technology was reviewed from the application of assisted food processing methods, such as assisted gelation, assisted freezing and thawing, assisted crystallization, and other assisted applications. Moreover, ultrasound was reviewed from the aspect of structure and property modification technology, such as modification of polysaccharides and fats. Furthermore, ultrasound was reviewed to facilitate beneficial food reactions, such as glycosylation, enzymatic cross-linking, protein hydrolyzation, fermentation, and marination. After that, ultrasound applications in the food safety sector were reviewed from the aspect of the inactivation of microbes, degradation of pesticides, and toxins, as well inactivation of some enzymes. Finally, the applications of ultrasound technology in food waste disposal and environmental protection were reviewed. Thus, some sonoprocessing technologies can be recommended for the use in the food industry on a large scale. However, there is still a need for funding research and development projects to develop more efficient ultrasound devices.

Preparation and characterization of type 3 resistant starch by ultrasound-assisted autoclave gelatinization and its effect on steamed bread quality

In this study, we aimed to establish an innovative and efficient preparation method of potato resistant starch (PRS). To achieve this, we prepared type 3 resistant starch (RS3) from native potato starch (PS) using an ultrasonic method combined with autoclave gelatinization and optimized by the response surface method to study the structure and properties of potato RS3 (PRS3) and its effect on the quality of steamed bread. Under optimal treatment conditions, the PRS3 content increased from 7.5% to 15.9%. Compared with PS, the B-type crystal structure of PRS3 was destroyed, and the content of hydroxyl groups was increased, but no new chemical groups were introduced. PRS3 had a rougher surface and a lower crystallinity, gelatinization temperature, viscosity, setback value, and breakdown value. The low content (5%) of PRS3 had a stable viscosity and was easily degraded by bacteria, which can improve the quality of steamed bread to a certain extent. When the PRS3 content was over 10%, it competed with the gluten protein to absorb water, which reduced the contents of β-turn and α-helix in the dough, increased the contents of β-fold, and weakened the structure of the gluten network. It also decreased the specific volume and elasticity of the steamed bread and increased the spreading rate, hardness, and chewiness. Steamed bread prepared with a flour mixture containing 5% PRS3 was similar to the presidential acceptance of control flour. In this study, a new sustainable and efficient PRS3 preparation method was established, which has certain guiding significance for the processing of Functional steamed bread with high-resistant starch.

The Flavor Profiles of Highland Barley Fermented with Different Mushroom Mycelium

Highland barley was fermented with Cordyceps militaris, Stropharia rugoso-annulata, Morchella esculenta, Schizophyllum commune and Tremella sanguinea. The flavor profiles were investigated by electronic nose (E-nose), headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) and sensory evaluation by train panel. Fermentation with mushroom mycelium was able to change the aroma profile of highland barley. The original strong grassy taste was reduced due to a decrease in hexanal, decanal and 2-pentylfuran, and new aromatic flavors (floral, sweet and mushroom fragrance) were acquired after fermentation. The overall flavor of the fermented highland barley varied with mushroom strains. Schizophyllum commune gave a heavier sour taste to the fermented highland barley. However, fermentation with T. sanguinea increased the content of methyl 4-methoxybenzoate making the sample difficult to accepted. Fermentation with C. militaris, M. esculenta, and S. rugoso-annulata increased the volatile contents. The high levels of 1-octen-3-ol and esters gave a strong mushroom, oily and fruity flavor. Morchella esculenta showed the best performance and the highest acceptance in the fermented highland barley. Our results suggest that fermentation with mushroom mycelium can improve the flavor of highland barley, which provides an innovative utilization of highland barley.

Insights on Some Polysaccharide Gel Type Materials and Their Structural Peculiarities

Global resources have to be used in responsible ways to ensure the world's future need for advanced materials. Ecologically friendly functional materials based on biopolymers can be successfully obtained from renewable resources, and the most prominent example is cellulose, the well-known most abundant polysaccharide which is usually isolated from highly available biomass (wood and wooden waste, annual plants, cotton, etc.). Many other polysaccharides originating from various natural resources (plants, insects, algae, bacteria) proved to be valuable and versatile starting biopolymers for a wide array of materials with tunable properties, able to respond to different societal demands. Polysaccharides properties vary depending on various factors (origin, harvesting, storage and transportation, strategy of further modification), but they can be processed into materials with high added value, as in the case of gels. Modern approaches have been employed to prepare (e.g., the use of ionic liquids as "green solvents") and characterize (NMR and FTIR spectroscopy, X ray diffraction spectrometry, DSC, electronic and atomic force microscopy, optical rotation, circular dichroism, rheological investigations, computer modelling and optimization) polysaccharide gels. In the present paper, some of the most widely used polysaccharide gels will be briefly reviewed with emphasis on their structural peculiarities under various conditions.

Modification of corn starch by thermal-ultrasound treatment in presence of Arabic gum

This research extends the effects of a thermal-ultrasound treatment (at 25, 45, and 65 °C for 30 and 60 min) on the physicochemical, structural, and pasting properties of corn starch in presence of Arabic gum. Treated samples had lower leached amylose compared with corn starch, but it was non-significant (p < 0.05). In comparison to alone corn starch and a combination of Arabic gum, thermal-ultrasound treatment increased the swelling power and solubility of samples. Treatment significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the syneresis of treated starch gels, especially at a temperature of < 45 °C, but paste clarity was increased at the higher temperature (65 °C). The enthalpy of treated samples was in the range 15.20-16.37 J/g. Sonication at 65 °C for 60 min had the most destructive effect on corn starch granules, but at 30 min granules were swollen only. FT-IR spectra of samples confirmed the physical modification of thermal-ultrasound treatment. The relative crystallinity index of samples changed in the range 21.88-35.42-% and decreased with rising time and temperature. Sonication at 45 °C for 30 and 60 min produced starch-gum mixtures with different pasting properties. Thermal-ultrasound treatment in presence of gum can be a viable technique to modify starches with different functionality.

Application of Curcumin Emulsion Carrier from Ultrasonic-Assisted Prepared Octenyl Succinic Anhydride Rice Starch

The emulsification of ultrasonic-assisted prepared octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA) rice starch on curcumin was investigated in the present study. The results indicated that the encapsulation efficiency of curcumin in emulsions stabilized by OSA-ultrasonic treatment rice starch was improved, from 81.65 ± 0.14% to 89.03 ± 0.09%. During the in vitro oral digestion, the particle size and Zeta potential of the curcumin emulsion did not change significantly (p > 0.05). During the in vitro digestive stage of the stomach and small intestine, the particle size of the curcumin emulsion continued to increase, and the absolute potential continued to decrease. Our work showed that OSA-pre-treatment ultrasonic rice starch could improve curcumin bioavailability by increasing the encapsulation efficiency with stronger stability to avoid the attack of enzymes and high intensity ion, providing a way to develop new emulsion-based delivery systems for bioactive lipophilic compounds using OSA starch.

Advances in isolation, characterization, modification, and application of Chenopodium starch: A comprehensive review

The Chenopodium genus includes >250 species, among which only quinoa, pigweed, djulis, and kaniwa have been explored for starches. Chenopodium is a non-conventional and rich source of starch, which has been found effective in producing different classes of food. Chenopodium starches are characterized by their smaller granule size (0.4-3.5 μm), higher swelling index, shorter/lower gelatinization regions/temperature, good emulsifying properties, and high digestibility, making them suitable for food applications. However, most of the investigations into Chenopodium starches are in the primary stages (isolation, modification, and characterization), except for quinoa. This review comprehensively explores the major developments in Chenopodium starch research, emphasizing isolation, structural composition, functionality, hydrolysis, modification, and application. A critical analysis of the trends, limitations, and scope of these starches for novel food applications has also been provided to promote further scientific advancement in the field.