Milling of rice grains. The degradation on three structural levels of starch in rice flour can be independently controlled during grinding

Retrogradation behaviors of damaged wheat starch with different water contents

The retrogradation behaviors of five damaged wheat starches (DS) after milling 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min with different water contents (33, 50, 60 %) were evaluated. Milling treatment increased DS content and developed an agglomeration of small particles. After 7 days of storage, the recrystallinity and long-range ordered structure of starch pastes were increased with the contents of DS and water. This process led to a lower setback viscosity and poor leaching of amylose. LF-NMR indicated a conversion from tightly bound water and free water to weakly bound water. During storage, DS12 with 60 % water content had the highest retrogradation tendency where the retrogradation enthalpy increased by 1.5 J/g and 2.2 J/g compared with DS0 with 60 % and DS12 with 33 % water content. DS with higher water content promoted the water mobility and made the starch molecular chains migrated conveniently. These changes facilitated the recrystallinity process during retrogradation period.

Effect of dynamic high-pressure treatments on the multi-level structure of starch macromolecule and their techno-functional properties: A review

Over the past decades, dynamic high-pressure treatment (DHPT) executed by high-pressure homogenization (HPH) or microfluidization (DHPM) technology has received humongous research attention for starch macromolecule modification. However, the studies on starch multi-level structure alterations by DHPT have received inadequate attention. Furthermore, no review comprehensively covers all aspects of DHPT, explicitly addressing the combined effects of both technologies (HPH or DHPM) on starch's structural and functional characteristics. Hence, this review focused on recent advancements concerning the influences of DHPT on the starch multi-level structure and techno-functional properties. Intense mechanical actions induced by DHPT, such as high shear and impact forces, hydrodynamic cavitation, instantaneous pressure drops, and turbulence, altered the multi-level structure of starch for a short duration. The DHPT reduces the starch molecular weight and degree of branching, destroys short-range ordered and long-range crystalline structure, and degrades lamellar structure, resulting in partial gelatinization of starch granules. These structural changes influenced their techno-functional properties like swelling power and solubility, freeze-thaw stability, emulsifying properties, retrogradation rate, thermal properties, rheological and pasting, and digestibility. Processing conditions such as pressure level, the number of passes, inlet temperature, chamber geometry used, starch types, and their concentration may influence the above changes. Moreover, dynamic high-pressure treatment could form starch-fatty acids/polyphenol complexes. Finally, we discuss the food system applications of DHPT-treated starches and flours, and some limitations.

Microscopic assessment of the degradation of millet starch granules by endogenous and exogenous enzymes during mashing

The high gelatinization temperature (GT) of millet starch prevents the usage of infusion or step mashes as an effective means to generate fermentable sugars (FS) in brewing because the malt amylases lack thermostability at GT. Here, we investigate processing modifications to determine if millet starch can be efficiently degraded below GT. We determined that producing finer grists through milling did not introduce enough granule damage to markedly change gelatinization characteristics, though there was improved liberation of the endogenous enzymes. Alternatively, exogenous enzyme preparations were added to investigate their ability to degrade intact granules. At the recommended dosages (0.625 μL/g malt), significant FS concentrations were observed, although at lower concentrations and with a much-altered profile than possible with a typical wort. When exogenous enzymes were introduced at high (10×) addition rates, significant losses of granule birefringence and granule hollowing were observed well below GT, suggesting these exogenous enzymes can be utilized to digest millet malt starch below GT. The exogenous maltogenic α-amylase appears to drive the loss of birefringence, but more research is needed to understand the observed predominate glucose production.

Effect of high-energy mechanical milling on the physicochemical and rheological properties of chayotextle (Sechium edule Sw.) starch

This work evaluates the effect of high-energy mechanical milling time (7 levels, 20-80 min) on amylose content, crystallinity pattern, temperature and gelatinization enthalpy, morphology, and rheological properties of chayotextle (Sechium edule Sw.) starch. After 30 min of milling, granular structure was affected, and amylose values were the highest while crystallinity and gelatinization enthalpy decreased significantly. These changes allowed to obtain gels with viscoelastic properties where the elastic character (Ǵ) prevailed upon the viscous modulus (Ǵ́). Native starch showed Tan δ values of 0.6, increased significantly (0.9) after 30 min of milling due to the surge in linear chains (amylose) and loss of granular structure. Native and modified starches showed high dependence on cutting or shear speed, presenting a non-Newtonian behavior (reofluidizers). These results indicate that mechanical grinding is an alternative to obtain modified starches with applications in the food industry.

Advances in Starch Nanoparticle for Emulsion Stabilization

Starch nanoparticles (SNPs) are generally defined as starch grains smaller than 600-1000 nm produced from a series of physical, chemical, or biologically modified starches. Many studies have reported the preparation and modification of SNPs, which are mostly based on the traditional "top-down" strategy. The preparation process generally has problems with process complexity, long reaction periods, low yield, high energy consumption, poor repeatability, etc. A "bottom-up" strategy, such as an anti-solvent method, is proven to be suitable for the preparation of SNPs, and they are synthesized with small particle size, good repeatability, a low requirement on equipment, simple operation, and great development potential. The surface of raw starch contains a large amount of hydroxyl and has a high degree of hydrophilicity, while SNP is a potential emulsifier for food and non-food applications.

Degradation of starch in pasta induced by extrusion below gelatinization temperature

The structural deformation of starch during pasta extrusion leads to varied effects on pasta quality. We investigated the impact of shearing force on the starch structure of pasta and pasta quality by varying the screw speed (100, 300, 500 and 600 rpm) with a temperature range of 25 to 50 ℃ in increments of 5 ℃, from the feeding zone to the die zone. The higher screw speeds were associated with more specific mechanical energy input (157, 319, 440, and 531 kJ/kg for pasta produced at 100, 300, 500 and 600 rpm, respectively), resulting in a lower pasting viscosity (1084, 813, 522 and 480 mPa·s for pasta produced at 100, 300, 500 and 600 rpm, respectively) in the pasta due to the loss of starch molecular order and crystallinity. Size-exclusion chromatography revealed that pasta produced at 600 rpm screw speed had a lower amylopectin size distribution which indicated molecular breakdown during extrusion. Pasta produced at 600 rpm had higher in vitro starch hydrolysis (both raw and cooked) than the pasta made at 100 rpm. The research provides relationship of how the screw speed can be manipulated to design pasta with varied texture and nutritional functionality.

Combined ultrasound and germination treatment on the fine structure of highland barley starch

Highland barley is a grain crop grown in Tibet, China. This study investigated the structure of highland barley starch using ultrasound (40 kHz, 40 min, 165.5 W) and germination treatments (30℃ with 80% relative humidity). The macroscopic morphology and the barley's fine and molecular structure were evaluated. After sequential ultrasound pretreatment and germination, a significant difference in moisture content and surface roughness was noted between highland barley and the other groups. All test groups showed an increased particle size distribution range with increasing germination time. FTIR results also indicated that after sequential ultrasound pretreatment and germination, the absorption intensity of the intramolecular hydroxyl (-OH) group of starch increased, and hydrogen bonding was stronger compared to the untreated germinated sample. In addition, XRD analysis revealed that starch crystallinity increased following sequential ultrasound treatment and germination, but a-type of crystallinity remained after sonication. Further, the Mw of sequential ultrasound pretreatment and germination at any time is higher than that of sequential germination and ultrasound. As a result of sequential ultrasound pretreatment and germination, changes in the content of chain length of barley starch were consistent with germination alone. At the same time, the average degree of polymerisation (DP) fluctuated slightly. Lastly, the starch was modified during the sonication process, either prior to or following sonication. Pretreatment with ultrasound illustrated a more profound effect on barley starch than sequential germination and ultrasound treatment. In conclusion, these results indicate that sequential ultrasound pretreatment and germination improve the fine structure of highland barley starch.

Increasing Protein Content of Rice Flour with Maintained Processability by Using Granular Starch Hydrolyzing Enzyme

Rice flour (RF) has become a promising food material. In the present study, RF with higher protein content was prepared using a granular starch hydrolyzing enzyme (GSHE). Particle size, morphology, crystallinity, and molecular structures of RF and rice starch (RS) were characterized to establish a hydrolytic mechanism; thermal, pasting, and rheological properties were determined to evaluate processability using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), rapid viscosity analysis (RVA), and rheometer, respectively. The GSHE treatment resulted in pinholes, pits, and surface erosion through sequential hydrolysis of crystalline and amorphous areas on the starch granule surface. The amylose content decreased with hydrolysis time, while the very short chains (DP < 6) increased rapidly at 3 h but decreased slightly later. After hydrolysis for 24 h, the protein content in RF increased from 8.52% to 13.17%. However, the processability of RF was properly maintained. Specifically, the data from DSC showed that the conclusion temperature and endothermic enthalpy of RS barely changed. The result of rapid RVA and rheological measurement indicated that RF paste viscosity and viscoelastic properties dropped rapidly after 1 h hydrolysis and thereafter recovered slightly. This study provided a new RF raw material useful for improving and developing RF-based foods.

Editing of the starch branching enzyme gene SBE2 generates high-amylose storage roots in cassava

The production of high-amylose cassava through CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis of the starch branching enzyme gene SBE2 was firstly achieved. High-amylose cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is desirable for starch industrial applications and production of healthier processed food for human consumption. In this study, we report the production of high-amylose cassava through CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis of the starch branching enzyme 2 (SBE2). Mutations in two targeted exons of SBE2 were identified in all regenerated plants; these mutations, which included nucleotide insertions, and short or long deletions in the SBE2 gene, were classified into eight mutant lines. Three mutants, M6, M7 and M8, with long fragment deletions in the second exon of SBE2 showed no accumulation of SBE2 protein. After harvest from the field, significantly higher amylose (up to 56% in apparent amylose content) and resistant starch (up to 35%) was observed in these mutants compared with the wild type, leading to darker blue coloration of starch granules after quick iodine staining and altered starch viscosity with a higher pasting temperature and peak time. Further ¹H-NMR analysis revealed a significant reduction in the degree of starch branching, together with fewer short chains (degree of polymerization [DP] 15-25) and more long chains (DP>25 and especially DP>40) of amylopectin, which indicates that cassava SBE2 catalyzes short chain formation during amylopectin biosynthesis. Transition from A- to B-type crystallinity was also detected in the starches. Our study showed that CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis of starch biosynthetic genes in cassava is an effective approach for generating novel varieties with valuable starch properties for food and industrial applications.

Molecular characteristics and physicochemical properties of very small granule starch isolated from Agriophyllum squarrosum seeds

Novel starch resources isolated from accessible botanical origins are of special interest to food scientists in the context of food security. In this study, Agriophyllum squarrosum starches (AS-1, AS-2, and AS-3) were isolated from three ecotypes of A. squarrosum seeds and compared with quinoa starch (QS). The mean particle diameter of AS granules ranged from 1.12 to 1.15 μm, and AS amylopectin had a significantly higher M_w than QS (p < 0.05). Compared with QS, AS samples had more branching and substitution of amylopectin structures. The peak viscosity, breakdown viscosity, and swelling degree of the AS samples were significantly lower than those of QS (p < 0.05). AS showed a lower crystalline degree and higher gelatinization temperatures, and the freshly cooked AS showed a slower digestibility rate than QS. The physicochemical properties and chain profiles of AS facilitate the application of AS and the domestication of A. squarrosum crops.

Starch granule size: Does it matter?

Nature has developed starch granules varying in size from less than 1 μm to more than 100 μm. The granule size is an important factor affecting the functional properties and the applicability of starch for food and non-food applications. Within the same botanical species, the range of starch granule size can be up to sevenfold. This review critically evaluated the biological and environmental factors affecting the size of starch granules, the methods for the separation of starch granules and the measurement of size distribution. Further, the structure at different length scales and properties of starch-based on the granule size is elucidated by specifying the typical applications of granules with varying sizes. An amylopectin cluster model showing the arrangement of amylopectin from inside toward the granule surface is proposed with the hypothesis that the steric hindrance for the growth of lamellar structure may limit the size of starch granules.

The oral microbiome: Role of key organisms and complex networks in oral health and disease

States of oral health and disease reflect the compositional and functional capacities of, as well as the interspecies interactions within, the oral microbiota. The oral cavity exists as a highly dynamic microbial environment that harbors many distinct substrata and microenvironments that house diverse microbial communities. Specific to the oral cavity, the nonshedding dental surfaces facilitate the development of highly complex polymicrobial biofilm communities, characterized not only by the distinct microbes comprising them, but cumulatively by their activities. Adding to this complexity, the oral cavity faces near-constant environmental challenges, including those from host diet, salivary flow, masticatory forces, and introduction of exogenous microbes. The composition of the oral microbiome is shaped throughout life by factors including host genetics, maternal transmission, as well as environmental factors, such as dietary habits, oral hygiene practice, medications, and systemic factors. This dynamic ecosystem presents opportunities for oral microbial dysbiosis and the development of dental and periodontal diseases. The application of both in vitro and culture-independent approaches has broadened the mechanistic understandings of complex polymicrobial communities within the oral cavity, as well as the environmental, local, and systemic underpinnings that influence the dynamics of the oral microbiome. Here, we review the present knowledge and current understanding of microbial communities within the oral cavity and the influences and challenges upon this system that encourage homeostasis or provoke microbiome perturbation, and thus contribute to states of oral health or disease.

The impact of starchy food structure on postprandial glycemic response and appetite: a systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized crossover trials

BACKGROUND

Starchy foods can have a profound effect on metabolism. The structural properties of starchy foods can affect their digestibility and postprandial metabolic responses, which in the long term may be associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity.

OBJECTIVES

This systematic review sought to evaluate the clinical evidence regarding the impact of the microstructures within starchy foods on postprandial glucose and insulin responses alongside appetite regulation.

METHODS

A systematic search was performed in the PUBMED, Ovid Medicine, EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases for data published up to 18 January 2021. Data were extracted by 3 independent reviewers from randomized crossover trials (RCTs) that investigated the effect of microstructural factors on postprandial glucose, insulin, appetite-regulating hormone responses, and subjective satiety scores in healthy participants.

RESULTS

We identified 745 potential articles, and 25 RCTs (n = 369 participants) met our inclusion criteria: 6 evaluated the amylose-to-amylopectin ratio, 6 evaluated the degree of starch gelatinization, 2 evaluated the degree of starch retrogradation, 1 studied starch-protein interactions, and 12 investigated cell and tissue structures. Meta-analyses showed that significant reductions in postprandial glucose and insulin levels was caused by starch with a high amylose content [standardized mean difference (SMD) = -0.64 mmol/L*min (95% CI: -0.83 to -0.46) and SMD = -0.81 pmol/L*min (95% CI: -1.07 to -0.55), respectively], less-gelatinized starch [SMD = -0.54 mmol/L*min (95% CI: -0.75 to -0.34) and SMD = -0.48 pmol/L*min (95% CI: -0.75 to -0.21), respectively], retrograded starch (for glucose incremental AUC; SMD = -0.46 pmol/L*min; 95% CI: -0.80 to -0.12), and intact and large particles [SMD = -0.43 mmol/L*min (95% CI: -0.58 to -0.28) and SMD = -0.63 pmol/L*min (95% CI: -0.86 to -0.40), respectively]. All analyses showed minor or moderate heterogeneity (I2 < 50%). Sufficient evidence was not found to suggest how these structural factors influence appetite.

CONCLUSIONS

The manipulation of microstructures in starchy food may be an effective way to improve postprandial glycemia and insulinemia in the healthy population. The protocol for this systematic review and meta-analysis was registered in the international prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO) as CRD42020190873.

Quantification of Starch Order in Physically Modified Rice Flours Using Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy

The purpose of this study was to understand the ordered structure of starch in rice flour based on a physical modification with non-heating, milling, and water sorption through the structural evaluation of rice flour using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and infrared spectroscopy within the 4000-100 cm^-1 region. The SAXS pattern of the samples with low moisture contents subjected to milling yield a band within the 0.4-0.9 nm^-1 of the q range owing to a lamellar repeat of starch with an ordered structure in rice flour. We proposed an order parameter using the intensity of the SAXS band to quantify the order structure of starch in rice flour, and the true density was negatively correlated with the order parameter. Infrared band at 990 cm^-1 in COH bending mode applied to the hydroxyl group of C6 shifted to a low wavenumber corresponding to the order parameter. A linear correlation was found between the order parameter and the 990 cm^-1 and band at 861 cm^-1 owing to COC symmetrical stretching of glycoside bond and CH₂ deformation of the glucose unit of starch, 572, 472, and 436 cm^-1, owing to the pyranose ring in the glucose unit of starch. The identified infrared bands are effective for quantifying the ordered structure of starch at the lamellar level. When subjected to water sorption, the band position at 990 cm^-1 shifted to a higher wavenumber above a water activity of 0.7. This result revealed that the water-induced transition of glass to rubber of starch in rice flour can be clearly evaluated through infrared spectroscopy using the band at 990 cm^-1. In addition, the band at 861 cm^-1 also shifted to a higher wavenumber, whereas those at 572 and 436 cm^-1 did not show a significant shift. These results indicate that water sorption slightly affects the internal structure and may mainly affect the surface of starch.

Isolation, modification, and characterization of rice starch with emphasis on functional properties and industrial application: a review

Starch is one of the organic compounds after cellulose found most abundantly in nature. Starch significantly varies in their different properties like physical, chemical, thermal, morphological and functional. Therefore, starch is modified to increase the beneficial characteristics and remove the shortcomings issues of native starches. The modification methods can change the extremely flexible polymer of starch with their modified physical and chemical properties. These altered structural attributes are of great technological values which have a wide industrial potential in food and non-food. Among them, the production of novel starches is mainly one that evolves with new value-added and functional properties is on high industrial demands. This paper provides an overview of the rice starch components and their effect on the technological and physicochemical properties of obtained starch. Besides, the tuned techno-functional properties of the modified starches through chemical modification means are highlighted.HighlightsNative and modified starches varies largely in physicochemical and functional traits.Modified physical and chemical properties of starch can change the extremely flexible polymer of starch.Techno-functional properties of the modified starches through chemical modification means are highlighted.Dual modification improves the starch functionality and increases the industrial applications.Production of novel starches is on high industrial demands because it mainly evolves with new value added and functional properties.

Impact of ultrasonic treatment on rice starch and grain functional properties: A review

As a green, nonthermal, and innovative technology, ultrasonication generates acoustic cavitation in an aqueous medium, developing physical forces that affect the starch chemistry and rice grain characteristics. This review describes the current information on the effect of ultrasonication on the morphological, textural, and physicochemical properties of rice starch and grain. In a biphasic system, ultrasonication introduced fissures and cracks, which facilitated higher uptake of water and altered the rice starch characteristics impacting textural properties. In wholegrain rice, ultrasonic treatment stimulated the production of health-related metabolites, facilitated the higher uptake of micronutrient fortificants, and enhanced the palatability by softening the rice texture. This review provides insights into the future direction on the utilization of ultrasonication for the applications towards the improvement of rice functional properties.

Balancing sugar recovery and inhibitor generation during energycane processing: Coupling cryogenic grinding with hydrothermal pretreatment at low temperatures

Pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass at high temperatures or with oxidizing chemicals generate various inhibitors that restrict the efficient bioconversion of sugars in subsequent steps. The present study systematically investigates individual and combinatorial effects of pretreatment parameters on the generation of inhibitors. A plot between pretreatment temperature and inhibitor revealed optimum pretreatment temperature for energycane bagasse i.e., 170 °C beyond which total inhibitor production increased exponentially. No inhibitor production was observed on mechanical processing i.e., disk milling/cryogenic grinding of biomass. Evaluation of response surface regression exhibited that biomass solids loading has a significant effect on inhibitor generation at higher temperatures. The concentrations of certain inhibitors such as acetic acid, furfurals, and HMF increased more than 3-folds on doubling the solids loading. Furthermore, a novel low-severity approach of low-temperature hydrothermal pretreatment coupled with cryogenic grinding for lignocellulosic biomasses has been introduced which improved sugar yields while maintaining a low inhibitor concentration.

Impact of processing techniques on the glycemic index of rice

Rice is an important starchy staple food and generally, rice varieties are known to have a higher glycemic index (GI). Over the years, the significance of GI on human health is being better understood and is known to be associated with several lifestyle disorders. Apart from the intrinsic characteristics of rice, different food processing techniques are known to have implications on the GI of rice. This work details the effect of domestic and industrial-level processing techniques on the GI of rice by providing an understanding of the resulting physicochemical changes. An attempt has been made to relate the process-dependent digestion behavior, which in turn reflects on the GI. The role of food constituents is elaborated and the various in vitro and in vivo approaches that have been used to determine the GI of foods are summarized. Considering the broader perspective, the effect of cooking methods and additives is explained. Given the significance of the cereal grain, this work concludes with the challenges and key thrust areas for future research.

Evaluation of solid state of rice flours produced by different milling processes using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy

This study evaluated the influence of the milling process on solid state of rice flours according to water activity using ATR-FTIR. A band at 1740 cm−1 attributed to the C=O stretching of lipids was detected for crystalline samples, and it disappeared at a high aw range. The CH band at 2930 cm−1 of crystalline samples gradually shifted to a higher wavenumber with aw. This band of the α-formed and wet-milled samples shifted to higher wavenumbers above 0.8aw. A band due to OH stretching mode in the 3500-3000 cm−1 region did not shift with aw. The result obtained from IR spectra suggests that the parameter K calculated by Guggenheim–Anderson–de Boar model reflected not only the interaction between water molecules but also the changes of state in solids. Consequently, the results from this study provide insights about the adsorption properties of nonideal solids such as rice flour.

Effects of High Temperature on Rice Grain Development and Quality Formation Based on Proteomics Comparative Analysis Under Field Warming

With the intensification of global warming, rice production is facing new challenges. Field evidence indicates that elevated temperature during rice grain-filling leads to the further deterioration of grain quality. In order to clarify the potential regulatory mechanism of elevated temperature on the formation of rice quality, the DIA mass spectrometry method under the background of field warming was conducted to investigate the regulatory effects of high temperature on grain development and material accumulation pathways. The results showed that a total of 840 differentially expressed proteins were identified during the grain-filling process under elevated temperature. These differentially expressed proteins participated in carbon metabolism, amino acid biosynthesis, signal transduction, protein synthesis, and alternately affected the material accumulation of rice grains. The significant up-regulation of PPROL 14E, PSB28, granule-bound starch synthase I, and the significant down-regulation of 26.7 kDa heat shock protein would lead to the component difference in grain starch and storage proteins, and that could be responsible for the degradation of rice quality under elevated temperature. Results suggested that proteins specifically expressed under elevated temperature could be the key candidates for elucidating the potential regulatory mechanism of warming on rice development and quality formation. In-depth study on the metabolism of storage compounds would be contributed in further proposing high-quality cultivation control measures suitable for climate warming.

Effect of metal salts on α-amylase-catalyzed hydrolysis of broken rice under a moderate electric field

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of metal salts on α-amylase-catalyzed hydrolysis of broken rice under a moderate electric field (MEF) by monitoring changes in hydrolysis efficiency, temperature, α-amylase activity, starch-metal ion interaction, and the structural and physicochemical properties of hydrolysates. Results showed that metal salts affected the hydrolysis mainly by altering α-amylase activity rather than by inducing thermal effect or interacting with starch. Reducing sugar content reached 125.0 g/L, while α-amylase activity increased by 18.16% when treated with 0.12 mmol/L Ca²⁺. Holes on hydrolysates treated with Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ were larger than those treated with Mn²⁺ and Cu²⁺. No M-O bond was formed after the hydrolysis. The crystallinity was slightly increased with the hydrolysis and the values for Ca²⁺- and Mg²⁺-treated samples were larger. The water and oil absorption capacity of the hydrolysate treated with Ca²⁺ was the highest. This study extended the knowledge of the roles of metal ions on MEF-assisted enzymatic hydrolysis and will contribute to the development of an innovative technology for starch modification.

Application of pulverization and thermal treatment to pigmented broken rice: insight into flour physical, functional and product forming properties

The utilization of rice for food purposes involves pulverization and thermal processing which may affect its quality characteristics. Hence pigmented broken rice was processed in plate mill and hammer mill followed by thermal treatment by toasting to study the physical, and functional characteristics and their effect on rice noodle quality. Results showed that plate milled rice flour showed high concentration of particles with size below 148 µm particle (44%), increased redness (21%), bulk density (17%), sedimentation value (75%), damaged starch (72%), peak viscosity (17%), and caused microstructural changes compared to the hammer mill. The toasting of plate milled red and black rice flour caused an insignificant influence on particle size, color, and bulk density. However, it increased the sedimentation value to 134% and 94% and damaged starch by 44% and 19% in red and black rice flour respectively. Further, a reduction in peak viscosity (22%) in red, and increase (16%) in black, along with microstructural changes were also observed. The rice noodle prepared using plate milled, and toasted red rice flour was sensorily acceptable and exhibited excellent textural properties. The study showed that plate milling and thermal treatment significantly affect the quality characteristics of pigmented rice flour and end-product quality.

New insights into starch gelatinization by high pressure: Comparison with heat-gelatinization

The effects of pressure and temperature on the gelatinization properties of wheat starch were investigated. The long-range crystallinity and short-range molecular order were gradually destroyed under both conditions as the degree of gelatinization (DG) increased. With increasing DG, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) onset (T_o), peak (T_p) and conclusion temperatures (T_c) increased for the heat-gelatinized samples but did not change greatly for the pressure-gelatinized samples. At similar DG, pressure-gelatinization resulted in less granule swelling than heat-gelatinization. Lower degree of both heat- and pressure-gelatinization resulted in increased pasting viscosities and gel texture parameters, whereas the opposite was noted at higher DG. We conclude that pressure and heat induced starch gelatinization in different ways, resulting in different gel texture properties. Pressure-gelatinization disrupted both less stable and more stable crystallites, whereas less stable crystallites were preferentially disrupted during heat-gelatinization.

Parameterizing starch chain-length distributions for structure-property relations

Understanding starch structure-property relationship is important for the development of new generation of starch-based foods with desirable functions. Recent developments of methodologies on the characterisation of starch molecular structures, especially how to parameterize the starch chain-length distribution (CLD) by few biologically meaningful parameters have brought new insights to explain starch physicochemical properties from molecular levels. Especially, it has shown that gelatinization temperatures are largely controlled by amylopectin short chains, while the retrogradation rate of starch molecules is controlled by amylose content, amylose short to medium chains, amylopectin external and internal chain length. Starch pasting and digestion properties are also controlled to a significant extent by its CLD. With extensive discussion of correlative and casual relations between starch CLD with its physicochemical properties, this review aims to establish a holistic starch structure-property relationship. It enables food producers to develop functional foods based on a precise understanding of starch structure-property relations.

Physicochemical, Rheological, and Morphological Characteristics of Products from Traditional and Extrusion Nixtamalization Processes and Their Relation to Starch

The aim of this study was to compare the physicochemical, rheological, and morphological characteristics of corn, nixtamalized flour, masa, and tortillas from the traditional nixtamalization process (TNP) and the extrusion nixtamalization process (ENP) and their relationship with starch. The traditional and extrusion processes were carried out using the same variety of corn. From both processes, samples of ground corn, nixtamalized flour, masa, and tortillas were obtained. The extrusion process produced corn flour with particle sizes smaller (particle size index, PSI = 51) than that of flour produced by the traditional nixtamalization process (PSI = 44). Masa from the TNP showed higher modulus of elasticity (G') and viscosity (G ″) values than that off masa from the ENP. Furthermore, in a temperature sweep test, masa from the TNP showed a peak in G' and G ″, while the masa from the ENP did not display these peaks. The ENP-produced tortillas had higher resistant starch contents and comparable firmness and rollability to those from the TNP but lower quality parameter values. A comparison of the products' physicochemical properties obtained by the two processes shows the importance of controlling the damage to starch during the milling and extrusion processes to obtain tortillas of better quality. For the first time, we propose the measurement of the viscoelastic parameters G' and G ″ in temperature sweep mode to monitor changes in the degree of starch damage.

Gelatinization dynamics of starch in dependence of its lamellar structure, crystalline polymorphs and amylose content

Structural dynamics of starch granules selected for different amylose content and crystalline type were analysed in excess water upon heating observed in-situ using SAXS and WAXS. The results showed that NMS and MBS exhibited higher degree of lamellar order than HAM. The peak width at half-maximum (FWHM) of HAM and NMS increased with temperature, demonstrating a gradual radial swelling of the lamellae during gelatinization. For NMS and HAM FWHM increased, suggesting that the dynamics of lamellar thicknesses of these starches were increased during hydrothermal compression exerted by the amorphous lamella. The decrease in FWHM found for MBS indicates that these lamellae were very vulnerable for dissolution. The changes in SAXS peak areas found for NMS and MBS were different from the areas of HAM indicating that A-type starch, as compared to B-type starch, possesses higher degree of lamellae ordering. Our data are potentially useful in starch-based materials processing.

Mechanically and Thermally Induced Degradation and Modification of Cereal Biopolymers during Grinding

It is presumed that structural and functional alterations of biopolymers, which occur during grinding, are caused by a mechanical modification of polymers. As a result, thermally induced changes of flours are neglected. In this study, the impact of thermo-mechanical stress (TMS), as occurring during general grinding procedures, was further differentiated into thermal stress (TS) and mechanical stress (MS). For TS, native wheat flour, as well as the purified polymers of wheat—starch and gluten—were heated without water addition up to 110 °C. Isolated MS was applied in a temperature-controlled ultra-centrifugal grinder (UCG), whereby thermal and mechanical treatment (TMS) was simultaneously performed in a non-cooled UCG. TS starch (110 °C) and reference starch did not show differences in starch modification degree (2.53 ± 0.24 g/100 g and 2.73 ± 0.15 g/100 g, AACC 76-31), gelatinization onset (52.44 ± 0.14 °C and 52.73 ± 0.27 °C, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)) and hydration properties (68.9 ± 0.8% dm and 75.8 ± 3.0%, AACC 56-11), respectively. However, TS led to an elevated gelatinization onset and a rise of water absorption of flours (Z-kneader) affecting the processing of cereal-based dough. No differences were visible between MS and TMS up to 18,000 rpm regarding hydration properties (65.0 ± 2.0% dm and 66.5 ± 0.3% dm, respectively). Consequently, mechanical forces are the main factor controlling the structural modification and functional properties of flours during grinding.

Molecular structure-property relations controlling mashing performance of amylases as a function of barley grain size

In brewing, amylases are key enzymes in hydrolyzing barley starch to sugars, which are utilized in fermentation to produce ethanol. Starch fermentation depends on sugars produced by amylases and starch molecular structure, both of which vary with barley grain size. Grain size is a major industrial specification for selecting barley for brewing. An in-depth study is given of how enzyme activity and starch structure vary with grain size, the impact of these factors on fermentable sugar production, and the underlying mechanisms. Micro-malting and mashing experiments were based on commercial methodologies. Starch molecular structural parameters were obtained using size-exclusion chromatography, and fitted using biosynthesis-based models. Correlation analysis using the resulting parameters showed larger grain sizes contained fewer long amylopectin chains, higher amylase activities and soluble protein level. Medium grain sizes released most sugars during mashing, because of higher starch utilization from the action of amylases, and shorter amylose chains. As starch is the substrate for amylase-driven fermentable sugars production, measuring its structure should be a prime indication for mashing performance, and should be used as an industry specification when selecting barley grains for brewing.