Determination of molar mass distribution of tapioca starch using asymmetrical flow field flow fractionation

The apparent average molar masses (M_w,app) and apparent average radii of gyration (R_g,app) of native tapioca starch and fractions were determined using asymmetrical flow field flow fractionation (AF4) coupled with multi‐angle light scattering and RI detectors (AF4/MALS/RI). AM‐type (Fraction A) and AP‐type (Fraction B) were chemically separated from native tapioca starch. Native tapioca starch and Fractions (A and B) were dissolved in 1 M KSCN using a high pressure microwave vessel. The effect of varying cross flow rates at a fixed channel flow rate upon the M_w,app and R_g,app distributions of native tapioca starch and Fractions (A and B) were investigated. The average M_w,app values for native tapioca starch, Fraction (A) and Fraction (B) were 59 × 10⁶, 2.1 × 10⁶ and 19 × 10⁶ g/mol, respectively, with average R_g,app values of 165, 73 and 87 nm, respectively. Hydrodynamic radii (R_h) values for native tapioca starch and fractions were determined directly from AF4 experimental parameters.     

Characterisation of normal corn starch using asymmetrical flow field‐flow fractionation

The apparent average molar masses (M_w,app), apparent average radii of gyration (R_g,app), diffusion co‐efficients (D_T), and hydrodynamic radii (R_h) of normal corn (maize) starch and fractions were determined using asymmetrical flow field‐flow fractionation coupled with multi‐angle light scattering and refractive index detectors (AF4/MALS/RI). AM‐type (Fraction A) and AP‐type (Fraction B) were chemically separated from normal corn starch. Normal corn starch and Fractions (A–B) were dissolved in 1 M KSCN using a high pressure microwave vessel. The effect of varying cross flow rates at a fixed channel flow rate upon the M_w,app and R_g,app distributions of normal corn starch and Fractions (A–B) were investigated. The average M_w,app of normal corn starch, Fractions (A) and Fraction (B) were 41 × 10⁶, 1.4 × 10⁶ and 39 × 10⁶ g/mol, respectively, with R_g,app values of 129, 60 and 129 nm, respectively.     

Treatment of wx corn starch dispersions in a microwave reactor and their hydrodynamic properties determined using asymmetrical flow field‐flow fractionation

Hydrodynamic properties of aqueous wx corn starch (native, un‐pregelatinised) dispersions treated in a dedicated single‐mode microwave reactor at temperatures ranging from 180 to 210°C were determined using asymmetrical flow field‐flow fractionation coupled with an RI detector. The dedicated microwave reactor enabled the fine control and monitoring of heating parameters (especially temperature) during the treatment. The translational diffusion co‐efficient and hydrodynamic radii (R_h) values determined for wx corn starch treated at 180 and 200°C indicate that the majority of the material (∼98%) consisted of highly mobile, small and compact molecules/particles, with R_h values ranging from 10 to 90 nm, while the remaining ∼2% of the material consisted of considerably larger molecules/particles R_h values ranging from ∼100 to ∼200 nm). Degradation of wx corn starch was observed at 210°C.     

Characterization of Physical Properties of Flour and Starch Obtained from Gamma‐Irradiated White Rice

Physical and structural characteristics of rice flour and starch obtained from gamma‐irradiated white rice were determined. Pasting viscosities of the rice flour and starch, analyzed by using a Rapid Visco Analyser, decreased continuously with the increase in irradiation dosage. Differential scanning calorimetry showed that gelatinization onset, peak and conclusion temperatures of rice flour and starch changed slightly but the enthalpy change decreased significantly with increase of irradiation dosage. All irradiated starch displayed an A‐type X‐ray diffraction pattern like the native starch. Gel permeation chromatography showed that the blue value ratio of the first peak (amylopectin) to the second one (amylose) decreased with the increase of the irradiation dosage. The weight‐average molecular weight (M_w) and gyration radius (R_z) of amylopectin analyzed by using HPSEC‐MALLS‐RI (high‐performance size‐exclusion chromatography equipped with multiangle laser‐light scattering and refractive index detector) decreased gradually from 1.48×10⁹ (M_w) and 384.1 nm (R_z) of native rice starch to 2.36×10⁸ (M_w) and 236.8 nm of 9 kGy‐irradiated starch. The branch chain‐length distribution of amylopectins determined by HPAEC‐ENZ‐PAD (high‐performance anion‐exchange chromatography with amyloglucosidase post‐column on‐line reactor and pulsed amperometric detector) showed that gamma irradiation had no significant effect on the amylopectin branch chains with 13≤DP≤24 and 37≤DP, but produced more branch chains with 6≤DP≤12 when the irradiation dosage was less than 9 kGy. It might be deduced that gamma irradiation caused the breakage of the amylopectin chains at the amorphous regions, but had little effects on the crystalline regions of starch granules, especially at low dosage irradiation.     

Analysis of polysaccharide and proteinaceous macromolecules in beer using asymmetrical flow field‐flow fractionation

This paper demonstrates the potential of asymmetrical flow field flow fractionation coupled with online multi‐angle light scattering, differential refractive index and UV detection for the fractionation and analysis of macromolecules in beer regarding their composition, molar mass (M) and relative concentration. The macromolecules in the liquid and foam of two types of beer, light lager and porter, were analysed in their native state with minimal sample preparation. The results showed the presence of three major populations of macromolecules. In lager beer liquid, the early eluting population has an average M of 2 × 10⁴ g/mol and an intense UV absorbance at 280 nm suggesting the presence of proteinaceous macromolecules. The second and the third populations, which elute at consecutively longer retention times, have M ranging from 10⁵ to 10⁷ g/mol. They are not UV‐active at 280 nm, suggesting the elution of polysaccharides. The second population was identified as β‐glucans as a result of β‐glucanase treatment. The third population was not identified in the present study. The results show that similar populations are present in lager beer foam and that the macromolecules appear to be present in a more aggregated state. The M range of macromolecules in porter beer liquid ranged from 10⁵ to 10⁸ g/mol. A fraction of macromolecules eluting at longer retention times is highly UV‐active, which shows that there are great variations in the macromolecular profile of lager and porter beer. Copyright © 2015 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

An SEC−MALLS Study of Molecular Features of Water‐soluble Amylopectin and Amylose of Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] Starches

The molecular features of five tef starches along with those of commercial normal maize starch were investigated by size‐exclusion chromatography with multi‐angle laser light scattering‐differential refractive index detection (SEC/MALLS‐DRI) after solubilization in water by cooking in a household pressure cooker. The weight‐average molar mass ( ) and weight‐average root‐mean square radius of gyration (<R_g>_w) of the amylopectin (AP) of tef starches ranged from 10.1×10⁷ g/mol (156 nm) to 16.5×10⁷ g/mol (205 nm) with a mean of 13.9×10⁷ g/mol (186 nm). The AP of the tef starches was considerably smaller than that of maize starch ( = 19.6×10⁷ g/mol, <R_g>_w = 207 nm). These considerably smaller AP molecules in tef starches were most probably responsible for the low paste viscosity of tef starches as compared to maize starch. In most tef starches, the polydispersity index (PI) of the AP was broader than that of the AP of maize starch. The intermediate fraction (IN) 1.0−1.6, mean = 1.1) of most tef starches were similar to those of the IN of maize starch. The amylose (AM) (range 1.5×10⁶−3.0×10⁶ g/mol, mean = 2.2×10⁶ g/mol) and size (range 176−214 nm, mean = 191 nm) of most tef starches was also apparently similar to that of the maize starch ( = 2.3×10⁶ g/mol, <R_g>_w = 193 nm), but the polymer distribution was narrower. The AM−iodine complex of the tef starches had a λ_max range of 611−679 nm and the absorption shifted toward longer wavelengths by 8−14 nm as compared to the maize starch AM−iodine complex. The blue value (absorption at λ_max) for 1 mg/mL of tef AM had a range of 2.3−2.8 (mean = 2.5), whereas for the maize starch, the mean was 2.2. The branched nature of tef starches was also investigated by debranching with isoamylase and determination of chain lengths (DP_n) of the branches by size exclusion chromatography with refractive index detector (SEC‐RI). The AP in tef starches had a polymodal distribution with a periodicity similar to that of cereal starches. The branches had DP_n values of A = 11, B1 = 16, B2 = 46 (range 46−47), B3 = 70 (range 69−72) and B4 = 118 (range 113−123). The outer (A + B1) chains were shorter than those of maize starch AP with abundance (74%, w/w) only slightly less than that of the maize starch (75%, w/w). The slow rate of retrogradation, the slightly lower percent crystallinity, the lower gelatinization temperatures and the lower gelatinization enthalpy observed for tef starches (as compared to maize starch) are probably related to the shorter outer (A + B1) chain lengths of their amylopectin molecules, and may be the foundation of the comparably good keeping quality of tef injera, the main staple in the Ethiopian diet.     

Rice Starch Molecular Size and its Relationship with Amylose Content

The composition and starch molecular structure of eight rice varieties were studied. Waxy and non‐waxy (long‐, medium‐, and short‐grain) rice varieties from California and Texas were used. The amylose contents were measured using the Concanavalin A method and were found to be related to the type of rice: waxy ≈ 1.0%, short and medium grain 8.7–15.4%, and long grain 17.1–19.9%. The weight‐average molar masses (M_w) of the starches varied from 0.52 to 1.96×10⁸ g/mol. As would be expected, a higher M_w of rice starch correlated to lower amylose content. The range of M_w of amylopectin was 0.82 to 2.50 ×10⁸ g/mol, and there was also a negative correlation of amylopectin M_w with amylose content. Amylose M_w ranged from 2.20 to 8.31×10⁵ g/mol. After debranching the amylopectin with isoamylase, the weight‐average degree of polymerization (DP_w) for the long‐chain fraction correlated positively with a higher amylose content. California and Texas varieties were significantly different in their amylose content, starch M_w (short‐ and medium‐grain only), and amylopectin M_w (p < 0.05).     

The effect of long‐term alkali treatment on the molecular characteristics of native and extruded starches at 35°C

In this study the molecular characteristics of native and extruded starches of wheat, corn, and potato were observed under long‐term alkali treatment (0.5 M NaOH, 7 days, 35°C). The molar mass distribution of samples determined by means of calibrated semi‐analytical size exclusion chromatography (SEC) showed different profiles (double and single peak distribution) depending on the dissolution status of the starch polysaccharides with simultaneous loss of supermolecular structures because of disintegration of the aggregates. The molecular range was between 4 × 103 and 2 × 106 g/mol and their calculated average molar masses were M_w = 1.7 × 105–4.1 × 105 and M_n = 2.5 × 104–1.1 × 105 g/mol. The reduction value and the value of intrinsic viscosity were additional indicators for the dissolving status of starch polysaccharides as well as for the stability of starch molecules in alkaline solution.     

Molecular Distribution and Pasting Properties of UV-Irradiated Corn Starches

Suspension (30 %, w/w) of corn starch (25 % amylose) in water was irradiated by UV-light with wavelength greater than 250 nm at 25°C, under a stream of nitrogen or air, for time intervals ranging from 5 to 25 h. Effects of the irradiation on the transition enthalpy and temperature for melting, and the pasting viscosity profile of the irradiated starch were examined. Weight-average molecular weight (M_w) and radius of gyration (R_g) of the irradiated starch molecules were measured by high performance size exclusion chromatography coupled with multiangle laser light scattering and differential refractive index detectors (HPSEC-MALLS-RI). In the case of starch irradiated under nitrogen, the transition enthalpy (ΔH) decreased with increasing irradiation time whereas the melting temperature was not changed. Similarly, the peak paste viscosity (P_v) decreased from 97 to 56 RVU by 25 h irradiation. Average M_w and R_g of amylopectin and amylose fractions, which were 93 × 10⁶ and 144 nm, and 2.0 × 10⁶ and 104 nm, respectively, were decreased by irradiation to 32.2 × 10⁶ and 93.7 nm, and 0.7 × 10⁶ and 83.6 nm by the irradiation for 15 h under nitrogen, respectively. When the starch was irradiated with aeration, sharp drops of all measured parameters were observed in 5 h of irradiation (ΔH 11.4 J/g, P_v 53.2 RVU, amylopectin M_w 50 × 10⁶). After 15 h under air, however, all measured values increased (ΔH 16.8 J/g, P_v 65.5 RVU, amylopectin M_w 63.1 × 10⁶). Molecular size distribution profiles confirmed oxidative the photodegradation in the early stage (up to 5 h), and cross-linking reactions in the late stage (5—15 h) of irradiation under aeration.     

Selected functional properties of waxy corn and potato starches after illumination with linearly polarised visible light

Aqueous suspensions (30%) of waxy corn and potato starches were illuminated for 5–50 h with linearly polarised visible light (λ > 500 nm). Molecular weights (M?_w) and radii of gyration (R?_g) of the amylopectin and amylose fractions of illuminated waxy corn starch, and the amylopectin, intermediate, and amylose fractions of illuminated potato starch were measured by high‐performance size exclusion chromatography coupled with multiangle laser light scattering and refractive index detection. The weight‐average molecular weight (M?_w) and radius of gyration (R?_g) of the amylopectin fraction of native waxy corn starch were 14.45 × 10⁷ and 161.1 nm respectively. After 15 h of illumination a decrease in M?_w (5.80 × 10⁷) and R?_g (117.6 nm) was observed. Illumination for 25 h, led to an increase in M?_w (7.60 × 10⁷) and R?_g (134.0 nm). Further illumination, up to 50 h resulted in a slight decrease in M?_w (6.74 × 10⁷). The molecular weight and radius of gyration of the amylopectin fraction of native potato starch were 21.30 × 10⁷ and 207 nm respectively. Illumination for 15 h led to a decrease in M?_w (14.87 × 10⁷) and R?_g (141.5 nm), followed by an increase in both values after 25 h (18.97 × 10⁷, 146.6 nm) and 50 h (19.69 × 10⁷, 207.1 nm) of illumination. Illumination influenced the swelling power, solubility, susceptibility to α‐amylolysis and X‐ray diffractogram of the starches. A varying increase in the solubility passed through a minimum after 25 h of illumination. The X‐ray diffraction pattern and susceptibility to enzymatic hydrolysis of waxy corn starch did not change, but in potato starch a gradual, illumination time‐dependent increase in the amylolysis rate took place. This effect could result from the reduction in crystallinity of the starch as indicated by the X‐ray diffraction pattern. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Structural and some nutritional characteristics of Velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) and Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus) starches

Velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) and lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus) starches were isolated from seeds and their structural characteristics evaluated using XRD, size‐exclusion chromatography and light scattering analyzes. Total starch, available starch, RS and in vitro digestibility were also determined. Structural and nutritional characteristics of Velvet bean and Lima bean starches were compared to those of commercial corn starch. The legumes starches presented a C‐type XRD pattern and crystallite sizes of 43.1 Å for velvet bean and 48.3 Å for lima bean. Lima bean starch average molar mass (4.9 × 10⁶ g/mol) was slightly higher than the velvet bean starch (3.04 × 10⁶ g/mol). Size‐exclusion chromatography indicated structural similarity between the lima bean and corn starches which differed from that of the velvet bean starch. Hydrodynamic radius (R_H) for the velvet bean and lima bean starches was 45.5 and 55 nm, respectively, and their radius of gyration (R_G) was 67.7 and 82.5 nm, respectively. Total starch content in all three starches was greater than 98%. Their complex crystalline structure provided the legume starches lower in vitro digestibility values than the corn starch. RS content in both the velvet bean starch (7.72%) and lima bean starch (5.66%) was higher than in the corn starch, essentially qualifying these polysaccharides as natural dietary fiber sources, with the associated physiologic advantages.     

Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Makal (Xanthosoma yucatanensis) Starch

Starch was isolated from a non‐conventional source: makal (Xanthosoma yucatanensis) and molecular characteristics were determined using X‐ray diffraction, light scattering and chain length determination. The granules had an oval shape with sizes between 8 and 20 μm, with an average size of 12.4 μm. Amylose content was 22.4% and amylopectin content 77.6%. The granules presented a C‐type X‐ray diffraction pattern, with a degree of polymerization (DP) of 5–19 for branch chain lengths and an average molar mass of 5.4×10⁶ g/mol. The R_H and the R_G was 61.7 and 92.7 nm, respectively. Gelatinization temperature was 72.6 to 84.2°C and transition enthalpy was 15 J/g, which may be related to the X‐ray diffraction pattern and to the small granule size of makal starch. The retrogradation of makal starch increased during storage.     

Effects of cationization on DSC thermal profiles,pasting and emulsifying properties of sago starch

Cationic sago starches were prepared using an aqueous alkaline process with different levels of cationic reagent 3‐chloro‐2‐hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride (0.01–0.10 M ), sodium hydroxide (0.03–0.86 M ) and reaction temperature (30–62 °C). The degree of substitution (DS), reaction efficiency, thermal and pasting properties of cationic sago starches were analysed. Emulsifying and fat binding properties of native sago starch, cationized sago starch and commercial chitosan were compared at two different pH values (4 and 7). Degree of substitution increased with an increase in concentration of cationic reagent or NaOH, or reaction temperature. The reaction efficiency was proportional to the concentration of NaOH and reaction temperature but inversely proportional to the cationic reagent concentration. The highest DS and reaction efficiency achieved was 0.06 and 79%, respectively. The pasting temperature and gelatinization enthalpy of cationic starch (DS 0.06) were lower compared with native sago starch. Cationization increased the peak viscosity and breakdown of the starch paste but decreased the setback. The presence of cationic groups significantly increased emulsion stability, emulsion viscosity and fat binding capacity of sago starch. However, the cationic sago starch was still inferior to chitosan, which showed the highest emulsion stability, emulsion viscosity and fat binding capacity. There was no significant difference between the surface tension values of native and cationic sago starch and chitosan. The influence of pH on emulsifying properties was not significant. The emulsion stability of the cationic sago starch improved due to an increase in viscosity and fat binding capacity but not its surface active property. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Molar Mass Distribution and Size of Hydroxyethyl Starch Fractions Obtained by Continuous Polymer Fractionation

By the use of continuous polymer fractionation (CPF) the initial polymer can be separated into fractions of different molar masses, which makes it possible to obtain hydroxyethyl starch (HES) fractions tailor‐made for specific application. Two samples of HES (HES A and HES B) were fractionated by means of CPF. By size‐exclusion chromatography‐multi‐angle laser light‐scattering‐differential refractive index (SEC/ MALLS/DRI) measurements it was shown that CPF is able to remove the low‐molarmass components and to adjust the samples to various desired molar masses with lower polydispersities than the original samples. In terms of the weight‐average mean molar mass M_W , the sol fractions have smaller molar masses than the starting sample, whilst the gel fractions have higher molar masses. Furthermore the radius of gyration R_G could be determined for the initial sample HES B with 19.7 and 19.4 nm and also for some of its fractions. However, no general R_G—M_W relationship could be established for the HES samples fractionated using CPF. This is probably due to the complex branched structure of amylopectin. M_W and M_W/M_n of the six fractions obtained from HES A with M_W = 161, 000 g/mol and M_W/M_n = 4.7 ranged from 19, 000 to 362, 000 g/mol with M_W/M_n from 1.8 to 3.1. The molar masses of the four fractions obtained from HES B with M_W = 460, 000 g/mol and M_W/M_n = 6.0 were between 18, 000 and 680, 000 g/mol with M_W/M_n from 1.7 to 4.8 or between 202, 000 and 1, 005, 000 g/mol with M_W/M_n from 2.7 to 4.7 depending on fractionation strategy.     

Comparison between Size Exclusion Chromatography and Micro‐Batch Analyses of Corn Starches in DMSO using Light Scattering Detector

The molecular structure of corn starches different in amylose content (waxy, normal, and high‐amylose) was analyzed in 90% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solution by refractive index (RI) and multi‐angle laser light scattering (MALLS) detectors. The starch sample solutions were measured either by medium‐pressure size exclusion chromatography (MPSEC) or by the micro‐batch mode. For waxy corn starch, the average molar mass (M_w) and radius of gyration (R_g) values were similar in both methods. However, for normal and high‐amylose corn starches, M_w measured by the micro‐batch mode was 2–4 times greater than that by the chromatographic method, although R_g values obtained from both methods were not very different. The M_w difference was the greater the higher the amylose content of starch.     

Chemometric Analysis of the Gelatinization and Pasting Properties of Long‐grain Rice Starches in Relation to Fine Structure

Chemometric tests were carried out to better understand the multidimensional facet of starch fine structure‐relationship concerning gelatinization and pasting properties. With Ward's hierarchical cluster analysis 20 long‐grain rice starch samples were sorted out into three clusters based on similarities in functional properties, particularly, paste peak (PV) and final viscosity (FV). The three clusters (arbitrarily named Clusters A, B, and C) exhibited a pasting profile trend of PV<FV, PV˜FV, and PV>FV, respectively. Cluster A samples were also lower in peak temperature, range and enthalpy of gelatinization, and swelling power. These attributes were associated with higher amylose content (AM), β‐amylolysis limit, and percentage of B1 chains (DP13‐24), but lower amylopectin weight‐average molar mass (M_w) and percentage of A chains (DP6‐12). A 5‐variable linear discriminant function correctly predicted 85% of the Ward's cluster membership of the individual cultivars. The discriminant function included the variables A, B1, and B2 (DP25‐36) chains, average chain length (ACL), and gyration radius (R_z). Fine structure variance was fully explained by a total of nine principal components, with the first three components cumulatively accounting for 74%. The leading variables included in the three rotated components pertained to amylopectin chain length distribution (A, B2, and B3+ or DP≥37 chains, and ACL) and amylopectin molar mass (M_w, R_z, and polydispersity). AM and M_w were loaded most frequently in the 4‐variable, best‐fit linear regression models for predicting gelatinization and pasting properties. A combination of at least two fine structure variables controls the functionality of rice starch.     

APPLICATION OF AN IN-LINE RHEOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION METHOD TO CHEMICALLY MODIFIED AND NATIVE CORN STARCH

The application of an in‐line ultrasonics‐based rheological characterization method for measuring the rheological properties of 6% (w/v) acid‐thinned and native corn starch suspensions and gels was studied. The measurements were performed in steady, laminar pipe flow using a 5 MHz frequency transducer to determine the radial shear rate distribution. Two pressure transducers were used to measure the pressure drop allowing the shear stress distribution to be calculated through the conservation of linear momentum. It was possible to obtain shear viscosity over a range of shear rates, 1–50 1/s, from a single velocity profile. A comparison of the shear viscosity function at different flow rates showed that this method could be a valid method of process rheometry during the manufacturing of starch‐based products. Both ultrasonics and rotational rheometry results showed that acid‐thinned and native corn starch suspensions exhibited Newtonian behavior before heat treatment and non‐Newtonian behavior after heating. Power law consistency index and flow behavior index of the acid‐thinned corn starch gel at 39°C were 0.60 Pa.s ^0.68 and 0.68, respectively; whereas those of the native corn starch were 5.90 Pa.s ^0.37 and 0.37 at 38C. Their consistency index increased and flow behavior index decreased with cooling and a thermoreversible change in the flow behavior index was observed in the native corn starch after storage.     

Molecular Background of Technological Properties of Selected Starches

Selected starches, i.e. waxy maize, amaranth, quinoa, wheat, millet and buckwheat starches, were investigated with respect to their technological properties such as gelatinization, stability to mechanical stress, resistance to conditions and stability in continuous freeze/thaw cycles. Technological properties are correlated with molecular features such as branching characteristics in terms of iodine-complexing potential, molar mass, occupied glucan-coil volume, packing density of glucan coils and rheological properties. Waxy maize and amaranth starches were found to be amylopectin-type short-chain branched (scb) glucans with weight average molar masses M_w = 17 × 10⁶ g/mol and 12 × 10⁶ g/mol, respectively. Waxy maize starch had a high gelatinization potential, high viscosity at 95 °C (340 mPas) low stability at acidic conditions, average stability to shearing and good freeze/thaw stability. For amaranth starch a viscosity of 122 mPas at 95 °C, low resistance to acid, but high stability to applied shearing and even high freeze/thaw stability was determined. Investigated quinoa starch was classified as scb-type glucan, however, the branches are significantly longer than those of waxy maize and amaranth. With a M_w = 11 × 10⁶ g/mol and a viscosity of 187 mPas at 95 °C, this sample is comparably resistant to acidic conditions and to shearing, but instable in freeze/thaw experiments. Wheat, millet and buckwheat starches contain significant percentages of amylose-type long-chain branched (lcb) glucans (22.1, 32.1 and 24.3 %, respectively) with M_w values of 5 × 10⁶ g/mol, 12 × 10⁶ g/mol and 15 × 10⁶ g/mol, respectively. Wheat starch, with a viscosity of 107 mPas at 95 °C, shows low stability under acidic conditions, but high stability to shearing. Wheat and millet starches, but not buckwheat starch, form weak gels in the course of subsequent freeze/thaw cycles. Millet starch, with a viscosity of 101 mPas at 95 °C was found to be moderately stable under acidic conditions and to shearing. Buckwheat starch with a viscosity of 230 mPas at 95 °C shows no acid resistance and is instable upon shearing but performs very well in freeze/thaw experiments.     

Effect of Molar Substitution on Rheological Properties of Hydroxypropylated Rice Starch Pastes

The steady and dynamic shear rheological properties of hydroxypropylated rice starch pastes (5%, w/w) were evaluated at different molar substitution (MS, 0.030‐0.142). The swelling power (35.5‐52.8 g/g) and solubility (8.19‐10.7%) values of the hydroxyproylated rice starches were higher than those of native rice starch (26.6 g/g and 7.78%) and increased with an increase in MS. The hydroxypropylated starch pastes at 25°C showed a pronounced shear‐thinning behavior (n = 0.33‐0.40) with Casson yield stress (σ_oc = 15.9‐31.7 Pa). The consistency index (K) and yield stress (σ_oc) values of the hydroxypropylated starch pastes were lower than those of the native starch, and increased progressively with an increase in MS. The apparent viscosity (η_a,500) obeyed the Arrhenius temperature relationship over the temperature range of 10‐55°C; the activation energies (E_a) of the hydroxypropylated starch pastes were in the range of 14.8‐18.5 kJ/mol, i.e. higher than that (14.1 kJ/mol) of the native starch. Storage (G′) and loss moduli (G′′) of hydroxypropylated starch pastes increased with an increase in MS, while tan δ (G′′/G′) values decreased, indicating that G′ rose more strongly than G′′ with increased MS.     

Synthesis and characterization of highly acetylated sago starch

This study was carried out to understand and establish the changes in physicochemical parameters of sago starch after acetylation. Highly substituted starch acetate was prepared by reaction with native sago starch and acetic anhydride in organic solvent. Their formation was confirmed by the titrimetric analysis and FT‐IR. The presence of absorption band in FT‐IR at 1748 cm⁻¹ confirmed the carbonyl group attachment. The thermal behavior of native and acetyl substituted sago starch was investigated using thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) and DSC. The results reveal that highly substituted starch acetate was more thermally stable as compared to native form. The XRD patterns showed loss of crystalline nature and its transformation into amorphous form. The SEM study suggested that the smooth surfaces of starch granules were changed into fibrous form after acetylation.