New approach to study starch gelatinization applying a combination of hot-stage light microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry

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.

Characterizing internal cavity modulation of corn starch microcapsules

Swelling of normal corn starch granules through heating in water leads to enlargement of the starch particles and a corresponding increase in internal cavity size. Through control of the swelling extent, it is possible to tune the size of the internal cavity for the starch microcapsules (SMCs). The swelling extent can be controlled through regulation of the swelling time and the swelling temperature. Since the swelling extent is correlated with particle size and solubility, these aspects may also be controlled. Imaging the SMCs at increasing levels of swelling extent using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) allowed for the internal cavity swelling process to be clearly observed. Brightfield and polarizing light microscopy validated the SEM observations. Confocal laser scanning microscopy provided further validation and indicated that it is possible to load the SMCs with large molecules through diffusion. The highly tunable SMCs are novel microparticles which could have applications in various industries.

Microstructure of starch-based meals with either palm or soybean oils alter in vitro starch digestibility with no major effects on glycaemic responses

Glycaemic response (GR) to starch-based meals depends on their food composition and microstructure. We studied the effect of palm and soybean oils on the microstructure of a solid starch-oil-gluten matrix, on the starch gelatinisation and in vitro digestibility. Additionally, a pilot cross-over study was carried out to assess GR after eating gelatinised starch/gluten-based foods with the addition of either palm or soybean oil in 8 young non-diabetic female volunteers (ISRCTN39636850). Both types of foods generated similar starch gelatinisation temperature. Starch/gluten-based food with soybean oil had rougher microstructure compared to food with palm oil, showing a higher initial and lower final in vitro digestion. Administration of starch/gluten-based meals with either palm or soybean oils to volunteers show very similar postprandial glucose or insulin responses. In conclusion, differences in fatty acid composition changes food microstructure and in vitro starch digestibility, with no major effects on glycaemic responses in female volunteers.

A new characterization methodology for starch gelatinization

A gelatinization degree control system, with a combination of Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) and computer vision, was successfully developed. An intelligent measurement framework was purposely designed to achieve a precise investigation on phase transition and morphology change of starch in real time, as well as a process control during gelatinization. Base on a variation of birefringence number, the degree of gelatinization (DG) control system provided a direct and fast methodology without subjective uncertainty in studying starch gelatinization. In the course, the whole system was a cascade structure with the hot-stage temperature chosen as the inner-loop parameter, thus the granule morphology and birefringence at different DG could be easily observed and compared in real time, and the relative transition temperature was simultaneously calculated.

Quality and Safety Aspects of Cereals (Wheat) and Their Products

Cereals and, most specifically, wheat are described in this chapter highlighting on their safety and quality aspects. Moreover, wheat quality aspects are adequately addressed since they are used to characterize dough properties and baking quality. Determination of dough properties is also mentioned and pasta quality is also described in this chapter. Chemometrics-multivariate analysis is one of the analyses carried out. Regarding production weighing/mixing of flours, kneading, extruded wheat flours, and sodium chloride are important processing steps/raw materials used in the manufacturing of pastry products. Staling of cereal-based products is also taken into account. Finally, safety aspects of cereal-based products are well documented with special emphasis on mycotoxins, acrylamide, and near infrared methodology.

Effect of Microwave Irradiation on the Physicochemical and Digestive Properties of Lotus Seed Starch

The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of microwave irradiation on the physicochemical and digestive properties of lotus seed starch. The physicochemical properties of lotus seed starch were characterized by light microscopy, (1)H NMR, FT-IR spectroscopy, and HPSEC-MALLS-RI. The starch-water interaction and crystalline region increased due to the changed water distribution of starch granules and the increase of the double-helix structure. The swelling power, amylose leaching, molecular properties, and radius of gyration reduced with the increasing microwave power, which further affected the sensitivity of lotus seed starch to enzymatic degradation. Furthermore, the resistant starch and slowly digestible starch increased with the increasing microwave irradiation, which further resulted in their decreasing hydrolysis index and glycemic index. The digestive properties of lotus seed starch were mainly influenced by the reduced branching degree of amylopectin and the strong amylose-amylose interaction.