Some properties of corn starches II: Physicochemical,gelatinization, retrogradation,pasting and gel textural properties

The physicochemical, thermal, pasting and gel textural properties of corn starches from different corn varieties (African Tall, Ageti, Early Composite, Girja, Navjot, Parbhat, Partap, Pb Sathi and Vijay) were studied. Amylose content and swelling power of corn starches ranged from 16.9% to 21.3% and 13.7 to 20.7 g/g, respectively. The enthalpy of gelatinization (ΔH_gel) and percentage of retrogradation (%R) for various corn starches ranged from 11.2 to 12.7 J/g and 37.6% to 56.5%, respectively. The range for peak viscosity among different varieties was between 804 and 1252 cP. The hardness of starch gels ranged from 21.5 to 32.3 g. African Tall and Early Composite showed higher swelling power, peak, trough, breakdown, final and setback viscosity, and lower ΔH_gel and range of gelatinization. Pearson correlations among various properties of starches were observed. Gelatinization onset temperature (T_o) was negatively correlated to peak-, breakdown-, final- and setback viscosity (r = −0.809, −0.774, −0.721 and −0.686, respectively, p < 0.01) and positively correlated to pasting temperature (r = 0.657, p < 0.01). ΔH_gel was observed to be positively correlated with T_o, peak gelatinization temperature and (T_p) and gelatinization conclusion temperature T_c (r = 0.900, 0.902 and 0.828, respectively, p < 0.01) whereas, it was negatively correlated to peak- and breakdown- (r = −0.743 and −0.733, respectively, p < 0.01), final- and setback viscosity (r = −0.623 and −0.611, respectively, p < 0.05). Amylose was positively correlated to hardness (r = 0.511, p < 0.05) and gumminess (r = 0.792, p < 0.01) of starch gels.     

A comparison of native and oxidized normal and waxy corn starches: Physicochemical, thermal, morphological and pasting properties

The effect of sodium hypochlorite on the physicochemical and functional properties of normal and waxy corn starches was investigated in this study. It was found that both carboxyl and carbonyl contents of oxidized starches from normal corn were higher than those of waxy corn. The introduction of carboxyl and carbonyl groups resulted in lower amylose content and swelling power. Both amylose and amylopectin were oxidized and degraded during oxidation but amylose was more susceptible to oxidation. Studies conducted on paste clarity revealed that the percentage transmittance increased after oxidation. The morphology of the starches was not altered after oxidation. Thermal properties measured by differential scanning calorimeter, showed that oxidation reduced transition temperatures (onset temperature, T_o; peak temperature, T_p; and conclusion temperature, T_c), gelatinization and retrogradation enthalpies of both normal and waxy corn starches. The retrogradation tendency was reduced after oxidation both in normal and waxy corn starches. Oxidation produced waxy starch with significantly higher peak (P_V), trough (T_V), breakdown (B_V), final (F_V), and setback viscosity (S_V) as demonstrated by using a rapid visco analyzer. Oxidation reduced the pasting temperature of both normal and waxy corn starches. Also, the principal component analysis (PCA) study was conducted to find the overall variations among the oxidized starches studied. Together, the first two components represent 88.7 g/100 g of the total variability.     

A comparison of native and acid thinned normal and waxy corn starches: Physicochemical, thermal, morphological and pasting properties

The starches isolated from normal and waxy corn varieties were hydrolyzed with hydrochloric acid (0.14 mol equivalent/L) and evaluated for physicochemical and functional properties. Acid thinning decreased the amylose content and swelling power but increased the solubility. The light transmittance of acid thinned (AT) starch pastes was higher than those of their native starches after similar storage intervals. The scanning electron microscopic observation demonstrated that the acid thinning did not cause any disruption of the granular crystalline structure. Native normal corn starches showed lower onset temperature (T_o) and peak temperature (T_p) as compared to their counterpart AT starches, whereas the reverse was observed for waxy corn starch. Enthalpy of gelatinization (ΔH_gel) was lower in AT normal and waxy starches as compared to their native starches. The percentage of retrogradation (%R) was significantly higher for native corn starches as compared to their AT starches. A significant reduction in peak—(P_V), trough—(T_V), breakdown—(B_V), final—(F_V), and setback viscosity (S_V) was observed by acid thinning, and the reduction was more pronounced in AT waxy starches. Among AT starches, AT waxy starch showed the lowest values of P_V, T_V, B_V, F_V and S_V.     

Influence of enzyme active and inactive soy flours on cassava and corn starch properties

The aim of this work was to study the influence of enzyme active and inactive soy flours on the properties of cassava and corn starches. Four starch/soy flour composites were evaluated: cassava/active soy flour (Cas/AS), cassava/inactive soy flour (Cas/IS), corn/active soy flour (Corn/AS) and corn/inactive soy flour (Corn/IS). Starch gelatinization occurred at 58.67°C for Cas and at 64.19°C for corn; gelatinization occurred at higher temperatures when soy flours were present, while ΔH diminished. The presence of AS reduced 80% the retrogradation enthalpy of Cas and 40% that of corn. Cas presented lower pasting temperature than corn starch (67.8 and 76.8°C, respectively) and higher peak viscosity (427.9 and 232.8 BU, respectively). The pasting properties of both starches were drastically reduced by soy flours, and this effect was more noticeable in Cas; AS had higher effect than IS. X‐ray diffraction pattern of retrograded samples showed that both starches recrystallisation (mainly that of Cas) was reduced when AS was added. Tan δ values decreased with AS addition to corn, but they increased when added to Cas. The images obtained using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) showed that IS was distributed as large aggregates, whereas AS distribution was more homogeneous, especially when incorporated to Cas. These results show that cassava starch interacts specifically with active soy flour (AS, mainly in native state). The delaying effect of AS on cassava starch retrogradation was clearly shown. This finding could be useful in obtaining gluten‐free breads of high quality and low retrogradation rate.     

Physicochemical properties,resistant starch content and enzymatic digestibility of unripe banana,edible canna,taro flours and their rice noodle products

Unripe banana, edible canna and taro flours, which have been reported to contain significant amounts of fibre, were investigated for their physicochemical properties, resistant starch (RS) content and in vitro starch digestibility, and compared with commercial high‐fibre‐modified starches from corn and tapioca. Differential scanning calorimetry showed a single endothermic peak located around 70–83 °C for the samples except the modified starches, which exhibited no transition enthalpy. The samples showed different pasting behaviours in the Rapid Visco‐Analyser (RVA) ranging from full to restricted swelling. The RS content varied from 1–26 g per 100 g dry sample, and the estimated glycaemic indices (GIs) of the samples were from 67% to 99%. Generally, samples with high RS were low in GI values. The starches produced acceptable rice noodles but with reduced rate of starch digestion and GI. The effects of the unripe banana, edible canna and taro flours on starch digestibility were either comparable or better than the commercial modified starches. These flours can substitute commercial modified starches to lower GIs of noodles and identical foods.     

Protein characteristics and peroxidase activities of different Indian wheat varieties and their relationship to chapati-making quality

Different wheat varieties grown at a single geographical location were evaluated for protein quantity and quality, rheological properties, and activities of peroxidase as well as polyphenol oxidase. The protein content in these varieties ranged from 11.6 to 14.6%, farinograph water absorption ranged from 70 to 76%, and the damaged starch content varied from 12.3 to 16.3%. The total protein content of whole wheat flours significantly correlated to stiffness (R/E values) of the dough (r=0.73, p<0.05); however, it did not influence any of the quality parameters of chapati. However, the protein quality parameter, Glu-1 score, which reflects the high molecular weight (HMW) glutenin subunit composition, correlated significantly to the cutting force, which indicates the texture of chapati (r=0.78, p<0.05). The quantity of low molecular weight protein fraction having molecular weight of 20 kDa showed significant correlation to over all quality scores of chapati (r=0.78, p<0.05). The color of chapatis was significantly correlated to color of dough (r=0.76, p<0.05), which became darker on resting. Peroxidase activity greatly influenced the color of chapatis (r=0.81, p<0.05).     

Thermal processing of rice grains affects the physical properties of their pregelatinised rice flours

Waxy, low- and high-amylose rice were cooked at different temperatures (50, 70, 90 °C) for different times (15, 30, 45 min). The microscopic, rheological and gel textural properties of resultant flours were investigated. There was a coarser and discontinuous honeycomb-like structure with formation of pores in rice flour with greater cooking degree. T_Gʹmax was positively correlated with cooking temperature and time. As cooking temperature increased, the Gʹ values of pastes first increased and then decreased, whereas the opposite trend was observed for tan δ. Meanwhile, increased cooking temperature was responsible for increases in n values and caused drops in K and hysteresis area. As cooking time increased, the hardness and gumminess of gels from rice cooked were increased at lower temperature, but were decreased at higher temperature. Overall, cooking temperature was more important in determining the processing properties of rice flours than cooking time.     

Physicochemical and functional properties of flours from three Black gram (Phaseolus mungo L.) cultivars

Flours processed from three black gram cultivars (Mash1‐1, PU‐19 and T‐9) were studied for proximate composition, physicochemical and functional properties. Protein, fat, ash and crude fibre content varied significantly (P ≤ 0.05) from 24.5 – 28.4%, 1.1–1.4%, 2.7–3.3% and 2.7–3.4%, respectively, among the cultivars. Significant differences were also observed in other physicochemical properties. Pasting properties like peak viscosity, breakdown viscosity and setback viscosity were in the range of 2078.7–2473.0 cP, 644.0–863.7 cP and 588.3–804.0 cP, respectively. Textural profile analysis of flour gels displayed significant differences in hardness (13.0–18.9 g), gumminess (2.8–5.9 g), chewiness (2.0–5.7 g) and adhesiveness (21.0–40.9 g). Differential scanning calorimetry revealed starch gelatinisation from 63.5 to 75.6 °C and amylose lipid complex melting from 105.0 to 136.1 °C. Protein solubility profile in the pH range of 2–9 varied from 6.3 to 97.3%. Emulsifying activity index and Emulsifying stability index at pH 3, 5 and 7 varied correspondingly from 6.0 to 14.5 m² g^?1 and 18.8 to 64.9 min. Foaming capacity of 2% flour suspensions at pH 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 varied significantly from 67.3 to 130% among the cultivars. Foam stability varied at different pH and was observed between 0 and 70.8% among the cultivars.     

Effect of calcium content in the corn flour on RVA profiles

Corn flour was produced using the traditional nixtamalization process and different steeping times of 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 13, and 24 h. The flour particle size distribution was then evaluated in terms of the particles retained by using a 40 US mesh screen. The lime content, the Rapid Visco Analyzer (RVA) profiles, maximum peak viscosity, breakdown and final viscosity (V) were measured as a function of the steeping time. It was found that the initial rate of increase in viscosity (dV/dt), maximum peak viscosity, breakdown and final viscosity of fractions depended on the amount of calcium incorporated in the corn kernels during the steeping time (T_s) of the nixtamalization process. The particles retained using a 40 mesh that were steeped for 0-5 h, do not have the characteristic points of an RVA profile, i.e., maximum peak viscosity and breakdown. However, the particles retained using a 40 mesh and steeped for 6-24 h developed peak viscosity, breakdown and final viscosity. The corn flours that are recommended for making tortillas are precisely the flours whose particle size distributions develop these three characteristic points in the RVA profile. Differences in RVA measurements of the size fractions can be explained on the basis of the calcium content of the course fractions of corn flours. It was concluded that RVA characteristics may be changed by the calcium content in the starch polymer structures created during the nixtamalization process. Consequently, the increased calcium content in starch particles should be reflected in RVA measurements as an increase in the peak viscosity, in the gelatinization rate and in the development of a noticeable breakdown.     

Comparative study of the functional,thermal and pasting properties of flours from different field pea (Pisum sativum L.) and pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.) cultivars

Physicochemical, functional, thermal and pasting properties of flours from field pea (LFP-48 and PG-3) and pigeon pea (AL-15 and AL-201) cultivars were determined and related to each other using Pearson correlation and principal component analysis (PCA). Field pea flours (FPF) were significantly (P < 0.05) different from pigeon pea flours (PPF) in their lower ash and higher fat and protein contents. FPF also exhibited higher L^∗, ΔE value, water solubility index (WSI), oil absorption capacity (OAC), foaming capacity (FC) and lower a^∗, b^∗ value, water absorption index (WAI) and water absorption capacity (WAC) in comparison to PPF. FPF differed significantly from PPF in exhibiting lower transition temperatures (T_o, T_p, T_c), enthalpy of gelatinization (ΔH_gel), peak height index (PHI) and higher gelatinization temperature range (R). PCA showed that LFP-48 and PG-3 flours were located at the far left of the score plot with a large negative score, while the AL-15 and AL-201 flours had large positive scores in the first principal component. Several significant correlations between functional, thermal and pasting properties were revealed, both by Pearson correlation and PCA. Pasting properties of the flours, measured using the rapid visco analyzer (RVA), also differed significantly. PPF were observed to have higher pasting temperature (PT), peak viscosity (PV), trough viscosity (TV), breakdown (BV), final viscosity (FV) and lower setback viscosity (SV) as compared to FPF.     

Physicochemical and functional properties of whole legume flour

The physicochemical, functional and pasting properties of whole flours from pinto bean, lima bean, red kidney bean, black bean, navy bean, small red bean, black eye bean, mung bean, lentil and chickpea were investigated. Significant differences in physicochemical characteristics and functional properties were observed (P < 0.05). Bulk densities, water absorption indices, water solubility indices, oil absorption capacities, emulsion activities, and emulsion stabilities ranged from 0.543 g/mL to 0.816 g/mL, 4.09 g/g to 6.13 g/g, 19.44 g/100 g to 29.14 g/100 g, 0.93 g/g to 1.38 g/g, 61.14%–92.20%, and 84.15%–96.90%, respectively. Phaseolus legume flour exhibited higher water absorption capacity, oil absorption capacity, emulsion activity, and emulsion stability compared with other kinds of legume flour. Pasting properties were significantly different (P < 0.05). Pasting temperatures and the peak, final, and setback viscosities of the flours ranged from 73.2 °C to 83.0 °C, 96.2 RVU to 216.8 RVU, 118.5 RVU to 243.8 RVU, and 28.3 RVU to 103.2 RVU, respectively.     

Physicochemical,thermal and sorption properties of nutritionally differentiated flours and starches

The aims of this work were to analyze physicochemical and thermal properties of ahipa and cassava flours and starches and to determine their water sorption isotherms and thermodynamic properties. Both flours are naturally gluten-free products, obtained by relatively simple procedures (grating or slicing). Ahipa flour gelatinized at lower temperature than cassava, indicating a better aptitude for cooking. Gelatinization temperatures of flours were higher than those of their starches. Water holding capacity of ahipa flours was significantly higher than those of cassava, leading the slicing process the highest values. Sorption isotherms were determined at 10, 20 and 30 °C. Experimental data were satisfactorily fitted using different mathematical models. Thermodynamic parameters associated with water adsorption process were calculated from GAB model, as well as the monolayer water content. All samples could be considered as products with an acceptable stability.     

Physicochemical and bread-making properties of air flow pulverized wheat and corn flours

The air flow pulverized grain flours were prepared from American wheat (AWF), Korean wheat (KWF), and corn (CRF) at 3 different grinding speeds, 9,000, 10,000, and 11,000 rpm. The effects of grinding speed on the physicochemical and bread making characteristics of resulting flours were investigated. Pulverization at low grinding speed produced the flour similar to those from conventional milling in particle size (80–100 μm). The higher speed grinding at 11,000 rpm produced grain flours with smaller particle sizes (20–30 μm) and higher amount of damaged starches. Accordingly, grinding speed increased water holding capacity, swelling power, and water solubility of the resulting grain flour, and also increased pasting properties. Gluten addition was needed for KWF (15% gluten) and CRF (30% gluten) to facilitate optimum bread making. The flour pulverized at high speed produced the KWF and CRF bread with the highest loaf volume and the lowest firmness.     

Fatty acids,mineral composition ond functional (bread and chapati) properties of high protein and high lysine barley lines

Six barley lines derived from corsses involving Hiproly (SV 73608×Mona⁵) and Riso 1508 with higher yield recipients V 43-42 and V 5681, along with the four parents, were analyzed for faty acids and mineral composition. Dough properties, bread and chapaties were charcterized by blending barley line (B82503) at 2.5-25% with bread wheat flour (pak 81). Fatty acid contents were myristic acid, 0.60-1.16%; palmitic acid, 16.68-20.84%; stearic acid, 1.30-3.33% and degree of unsaturation 1.40-1.50%. The derived lines contained similar amounts of essential fatty acids. Significant variation for magnesium, copper, zinc, phosphorus and potassium was observed but overlapped among the lines and parents. The calciu, iron, and manganese showed non-significant differences among lines and parents. Blending up to 10% barley flour with bread wheat flour gave farinograph characteristics comparable to those of pure wheat flour, but increasing the proportion of barley beyond this decreased the mix time and dough stability. Breadbaking tests verfied that up to 10% barley could be mixed with wheat without adversely affecting loaf volume and other quality attributes. For chapati making up to 20% barley could be blended into the wheat, yet yield acceptable quality.     

Rheological and functional properties of flours from banana pulp and peel

Unripe banana flour can be an alternative to minimize post‐harvest loss and to increase the aggregate value of banana fruit. Flour from unripe banana is rich in phytosterols and resistant starch, being proposed as health food. Flours from unripe banana peel and pulp were evaluated on their composition, phytosterols content, thermal and rheological properties, and pasting profiles. High amounts of β‐sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol were found in flour from banana peel. These samples showed lower viscosity values of pasting profiles, lower energy enthalpy on gelatinization, and higher temperature of gelatinization than those ones from pulp. Anti‐oxidant treatment of fruits with citric acid does not change pasting profiles of flours from pulp, but resulted in slight increase in viscosity, suggesting that structure of starch could be modified by acidification.     

Physicochemical properties of Pinhão (Araucaria angustifolia, Bert, O. Ktze) starch phosphates

Physicochemical properties of pinhão (seeds of Paraná pine) starch phosphates were evaluated and compared to corn starch phosphates. The phosphorylation process used yielded starch phosphates with three different degrees of substitution (DS): low (0.015), medium (0.07) and high (?0.12). Medium and high DS starch phosphates had higher cold water binding capacity, swelling power, and paste clarity, but lower paste syneresis (at 5 °C and after freeze-thaw cycles) than native starches (P<0.05). Low, medium, and high DS corn starches had higher solubility than native starches (3.8-, 8-, and 6-fold higher; P<0.05), but the solubility of pinhão starch increased only in medium DS starch phosphates (3-fold higher; P<0.05). Low DS starch phosphates had viscosity curves similar to native starches. In contrast, medium and high DS starch pastes had peak viscosity at room temperature, reached the minimum viscosity when heated to 95 °C, and had low setback.