Effects of high hydrostatic pressure on the structure and retrogradation inhibition of oat starch

As a non-thermal processing technology, high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) can be used for starch modification without affecting the quality and flavour constituents. The effect of HHP on starch is closely related to the treatment pressure of HHP. In this paper, we investigated the impacts of HHP treatment pressure (0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 MPa) on the microstructure and retrogradation characteristics of oat starch, established the retrogradation kinetic model and elaborated the mechanism of HHP treatment inhibiting the retrogradation of oat starch. Results show that HHP treatment caused the microstructure of oat starch experienced crystallisation perfection (100–300 MPa), crystallisation destruction (400 MPa), crystallisation disintegration and gelatinisation (500–600 MPa). Results of oat starch retrogradation showed that, after treated at 500 MPa for 15 min, the recrystallisation rate of oat starch was reduced, the formation of nuclei at the early stage of oat starch retrogradation suppressed and its nucleation mode was changed from instantaneous to spontaneous, otherwise, the mobility of water in oat starch gel system reduced. Therefore, 500 MPa treated for 15 min can inhibits the retrogradation of oat starch. This study provides theoretical guidance for the application of HHP technology in starch modification and food processing.     

Effect of hyperbranched poly(citric polyethylene glycol) with various polyethylene glycol chain lengths on starch plasticization and retrogradation

A series of hyperbranched poly(citric polyethylene glycol) (PCPEG) materials with varied polyethylene glycol (PEG) chain lengths as plasticizers were mixed with maize starch (MS) via cooking and film‐forming. The structure, pasting property, plasticization, aging property, moisture absorption and compatibility of plasticized starches were studied by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, rapid viscosity analysis, tension testing, moisture absorption measurements and scanning electron microscopy. Compared with PEG and citric acid, PCPEG was more effective in promoting starch chain movement and inhibiting the retrogradation of starch film. Also, PCPEG/MS had smaller moisture content. The longer the plasticizer chain, the better were the aging resistance and moisture resistance of starch. But with an increase of PEG chain length, mechanical properties of PCPEG/MS deteriorated and the compatibility between PCPEG and MS decreased. The hyperbranched derivative of PEG with longer chain exhibited improved plasticization and compatibility with starch. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry     

直链淀粉晶种对淀粉回生的影响机制

由于淀粉回生影响因素复杂和研究手段局限,基于直链淀粉主导的短期回生阶段和支链淀粉主导的长期回生阶段关联性的回生共性机制未得到系统阐述。基于此,该研究制备短期回生的直链淀粉晶种,采用FTIR、13C CP/MAS NMR等手段,研究其诱导大米淀粉的长期回生过程与规律,揭示短期回生与长期回生关联性。结果表明,所制备的直链淀粉晶种粒度分布在200~450 nm,添加晶种导致淀粉短程有序度由0. 670最高提高至0. 887,双螺旋含量由14. 86%最高提高到了22. 80%。回生淀粉的短程有序度、双螺旋含量显著提高,表明所制备直链淀粉晶种显著促进淀粉长期回生过程,这种晶体协同增长效应,丰富了淀粉回生共性机制。     

Study on retrogradation of maize starch–flaxseed gum mixture under various storage temperatures

This study aimed to investigate the effect of flaxseed gum (FG) on the retrogradation of maize starch (MS) gels under different storage temperatures. In this work, MS‐FG gels with 0–0.4% FG were stored under different temperatures (–20, 4 and 20 °C). Under all storage temperatures, the addition of FG inhibited the retrogradation process of MS, suppressed the recrystallisation of starch molecules, reduced the water loss of starch gels and improved the texture of the gels. Among the three storage temperatures, ?20 °C could almost stop the starch retrogradation but leading it results in the hardest gel texture. The retrogradation of MS‐FG gels stored under 4 °C was most serious with the fastest rate of recrystallisation. When stored at 20 °C, the gels had a retrogradation degree that was lower than when they were stored at 4 °C and also had the softest texture.     

Staling of potato and wheat steamed breads: physicochemical characterisation and molecular mobility

To clarify the physicochemical characterisation and water status of potato steamed bread (PSB) and wheat steamed bread (WSB) during the staling process, texture, amylopectin retrogradation, crystalline structure, water migration and microstructure were evaluated by texture analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results showed that starch molecules in PSB and WSB were recrystallised and formed B-type starch, which had a positive correlation with hardness and thermal enthalpy. Compared to WSB, PSB had a relatively low B-type crystallinity; moreover, a smaller decrease of free water in PSB was also detected in the NMR test, which indicated that more moisture can be used to plasticise crumb, thus contributing to a softer texture of PSB. SEM revealed that the amount and size of the cracks on the interface of starch and gluten matrix in WSB increased with the prolongation of storage time.     

Effect of rice ageing and freeze‐thaw cycle on textural properties of cooked rice (Oryza sativa L.) cv. Khao Dawk Mali 105

This study investigated the effect of rice grain ageing (0.7–12 months) and freeze‐thaw 1–5 cycles on the textural properties of cooked rice. The cooked rice from aged rice grains was freezing and thawing up to five cycles. Ageing of the rice grain increased the hardness and decreased the stickiness of the cooked rice. Repeated freeze‐thaw cycles caused an increase in hardness and a decrease in stickiness of aged cooked rice. Scanning electron micrographs showed a rough surface on the cooked rice after repeated freeze‐thaw cycles, especially for cooked rice from rice aged for 12 months. Differential scanning calorimetry and X‐ray diffraction showed increased starch retrogradation with increased freeze‐thaw cycles. The gelatinisation temperature and gelatinisation enthalpy increased when rice was aged for longer periods. Thus, ageing of rice and the number of freeze‐thaw cycles influence the textural properties of cooked rice.     

Optimizing the mechanical and physical properties of thermoplastic starch via tuning the molecular microstructure through co‐plasticization by sorbitol and glycerol

Nowadays, environmental hazards caused by plastic wastes are a major concern in academia and industry. Utilization of biodegradable polymers derived from renewable sources for replacing common petroleum‐based plastics is a potential solution for reducing the problem. In this regard, starch has become one of the most promising alternatives to non‐biodegradable polymers for depleting plastic waste thanks to its low expense, abundance, renewability and biodegradability. However, the main drawbacks of starch are its poor processability, weak mechanical properties and severe hydrophilicity. In this work, thermoplastic starch (TPS) samples have been prepared using glycerol and sorbitol as co‐plasticizers in a laboratory co‐rotating twin screw extruder. Based on the mechanical test results, glycerol caused higher elongation to break but had lower tensile strength and elastic modulus compared to sorbitol plasticized starch. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and DSC results indicated that the hydrogen bond interaction between starch chains and plasticizers could be improved by replacing glycerol by sorbitol, which resulted in higher resistance against retrogradation proved by XRD results. TGA illustrated that the higher the sorbitol to glycerol ratio was, the more stable was the TPS. Using a proper amount of plasticizers (42 wt% total plasticizer, sorbitol to glycerol ratio 2:1) led to the preparation of a TPS sample with optimized properties including enhanced mechanical properties, high thermal stability, strong hydrogen bond formation and high resistance against retrogradation. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry     

The influence of flaxseed gum on the retrogradation of maize starch

The influence of flaxseed gum (FG) on the retrogradation of maize starch (MS) was investigated in this study. Based on the results of rapid visco‐analyzer (RVA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Low field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF‐NMR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), FG has a retardation effect on the retrogradation of MS. With the addition increasing, the more significant the retardation effect was observed (P < 0.05). However, when the concentration of FG was up to 0.4%, the change of retrogradation ratio showed no significant difference (P > 0.05). FG could wrap around starch granules, suppress the recrystallisation of amylose and amylopectin, increase the water mobility and decrease the water loss. In summary, the overall results suggested that FG could be used as a natural inhibitor of the retrogradation of starch in food industry.     

Composition, soaking, cooking properties and thermal characteristics of starch of chickpeas, wrinkled peas and smooth peas

We investigated both the distribution of protein, ash and starch in legume (chickpeas, smooth and wrinkled peas) cotyledons, and the soaking and cooking characteristics, including gelatinization and retrogradation, of the starch. There were large differences in composition between different types of legumes and also between the outer and inner parts of legume cotyledons. Wrinkled peas exhibited much higher water absorption during prolonged soaking and there were higher hardness value determined for cooked seeds compared with chickpeas and smooth peas. While the hardness of cooked seeds decreased continuously as cooking time increased to 110 min, all legume starch was fully gelatinized after cooking for 70 min.