In vitro availability of starch in heat‐treated potatoes as related to genotype,weight and storage time

The objective of the study was to determine the influence of potato variety, weight and storage time after lifting on the glycaemic index (GI) and resistant starch (RS) content predicted from measurement of the rate and extent of in vitro starch hydrolysis, respectively. The potatoes were either boiled, or boiled and subjected to different heat‐cycling conditions selected to promote retrogradation of amylose or amylopectin, respectively. The hydrolysis indices (HI) and predicted GIs of all 19 potato products were high and fell within narrow ranges of 122–144 and 118–138, respectively. No correlation between average weight of the potato tuber and HI was found. Furthermore, there was no difference in HI between potatoes stored for 1–3 or 8–10 months, nor between varieties of new potato and winter potato. However, the HI was significantly lowered by temperature cycling at conditions known to promote retrogradation of amylopectin (6 °C, 48 h) compared with 6 °C for 24 h followed by 70 °C for 24 h. RS content was already substantial in boiled potatoes, 4.5 g 100 g^?1 (starch basis), and could be increased further by temperature cycling, the highest yield obtained, 9.8 g 100 g^?1 (starch basis), following heat treatment at 6 °C for 24 h followed by 70 °C for 24 h; that is at conditions known to favour amylose retrogradation. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of processing and storage time on in vitro digestibility and resistant starch content of two bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L) varieties

Seeds from two commercial bean varieties were cooked and stored for different times and analysed for chemical composition and in vitro starch digestibility. Parallel portions of cooked seeds were dried at 55 °C, milled and stored as flours. In general, protein and ash contents in both samples did not change with storage time, but statistical differences were shown between the two varieties (p < 0.05). Available starch (AS) contents in flours from the ‘negro’ variety did not change (p < 0.05) with storage time and, in general, were higher than in ‘flor de mayo’ samples, whose AS levels decreased during storage. The lower AS in ‘flor de mayo’ flour could be the consequence of formation of resistant starch due to retrogradation. Samples of whole ‘negro’ seeds did not show differences in AS content at 0, 24 and 48 h of storage compared with the corresponding flours, but at 72 and 96 h the AS increased in the whole samples. ‘Flor de mayo’ showed a similar pattern in flour and whole samples, with slightly higher values in the whole seeds. In general, total resistant starch (RS) content in the two varieties was higher in the flours than in ‘whole’ seeds, a fact that is not easy to explain at present. ‘Negro’ flour presented an RS content around 65.0 g kg^?1, and approximately 55.0 g kg^?1 was recorded in ‘flor de mayo’, with slight changes when storage time increased. Whole ‘flor de mayo’ showed significant levels of the retrograded portion of resistant starch (RRS), which did not change with storage time (p < 0.05). However, values were lower than in the flours. A pattern similar to that of the ‘negro’ variety was obtained for ‘flor de mayo’, since the flour exhibited higher amounts of RRS; however, in this variety, the RRS content in ‘whole’ samples decreased after prolonged storage. Flours presented higher amylolysis rates than whole samples, and the ease of digestion increased with storage time. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

In vitro starch digestibility of fresh and sun‐dried faba beans (Vicia faba L.)

Fresh and sun‐dried faba beans (Vicia faba L.) were cooked, stored for various times at 4 °C and analysed for available starch (AS), resistant starch (RS) and fibre‐associated resistant starch (FARS) contents as well as α‐amylolysis. Fresh beans required a shorter cooking time (25 min) than dried beans (158 min). Cooked fresh faba beans had a higher AS content than cooked dried faba beans. The AS content in both decreased during cold storage, with fresh beans showing a smaller decrease than dried beans with increasing storage time. Cooked fresh faba beans also had a higher total RS content than cooked dried faba beans, although a greater increase in RS content was recorded in the latter upon storage. Starch retrogradation was more prominent in cooked dried faba beans than in cooked fresh faba beans, as indicated by the consistently higher FARS content. The α‐amylolysis rate decreased with increasing storage time, i.e. long‐stored (72 h) cooked faba beans exhibited slower starch digestion, and differences were recorded between fresh and dried beans. The predicted glycaemic index ranged between 60.9 and 58.0% for cooked fresh faba beans and between 57.9 and 55.8% for cooked dried faba beans, which is suggestive of slow glucose release from starch in faba beans. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Production and physicochemical properties of resistant starch from hydrolysed wrinkled pea starch

The content and physicochemical properties of resistant starches (RS) from wrinkled pea starch obtained by different molecular mass reduction processes were evaluated. Native and gelatinised starches were submitted to acid hydrolysis (2 m HCl for 2.5 h) or enzymic hydrolysis (pullulanase, 40 U g^?1 for 10 h), followed by hydrothermal treatment (autoclaving at 121 °C for 30 min), refrigeration (4 °C for 24 h) and lyophilisation. Native starch showed RS and total dietary fibre contents of 39.8% and 14.3%, respectively, while processed ones showed values from 38.5% to 54.6% and from 22.9% to 37.1%, respectively. From these, the highest contents were among acid‐modified starches. Processed starches showed endotherms between 144 and 166 °C, owing to the amylose retrogradation. Native and processed starches showed low viscosity, which is inversely proportional to the RS concentration in samples. The heat treatment promoted an increase in the water absorption index. The pea starch is a good source for obtaining resistant starch by acid hydrolysis.     

Synthesis and in vitro digestion of resistant starch type III from enzymatically hydrolysed cassava starch

Resistant starch type III (RS III) was synthesised from cassava starch by autoclaving followed by debranching with pullulanase, at varied concentrations (0.4–12 U g^?1) and times (2–8 h), and recrystallisation (?18 to 90 °C for 1–16 h). The highest RS III yield (22 g/100 g) was obtained at an enzyme concentration of 4 U g^?1 after 8 h incubation, followed by recrystallisation at 25 °C for 16 h. Varying the recrystallisation conditions indicated that higher RS III yields (30–35 g/100 g) could be obtained at 90 °C within 2 h. Thinning cassava starch using α‐amylase prior to debranching using pullulanase did not further increase the RS III content. In vitro digestion data showed that whereas 44% RS III was digested after 6 h, the corresponding value for cassava starch was 89%.     

Physicochemical and digestion characteristics of flour and starch from eight Canadian red and green lentils

Physicochemical and nutritional properties of flour and isolated starch from eight Canadian lentil cultivars were assessed to identify unique samples and key factors affecting starch digestion. The results showed that nearly half of apparent amylose in lentil flours was underestimated because it was complexed and embedded within the flour matrix, which led to slower starch digestion of cooked flour. Cooked red lentil flours showed significantly higher resistant starch content (11.0%) than flours from green lentils (6.8%) (P < 0.05). Among green lentils, Asterix and Greenland were unique for their high slowly digestible starch content after cooking, possibly owing to their high phenolic content and α‐glucosidase inhibitory activity. Long‐ and short‐range ordering in starch was more indicative of low starch digestion for raw or cooked lentil flour rather than for isolated starch. The results suggest the flour matrix protects the starch ordered structure from enzyme hydrolysis.     

Production and characterization of digestion‐resistant starch by the reaction of Neisseria polysaccharea amylosucrase

Recombinant amylosucrase (200 U/mL) from Neisseria polysaccharea was used to produce digestion‐resistant starch (RS) using 1–3% (w/v) corn starches and 0.1–0.5 M sucrose incubated at 35°C for 24 h. Characterization of the obtained enzyme‐modified starches was investigated. Results show that the yields of the enzyme‐modified starches were inversely proportional to the original amylose contents of corn starches. After enzymatic reaction, insoluble RS contents increased by 22.3 and 20.7% from 6.9% of waxy and 7.7% of normal corn starches, respectively, using 3.0% starch as acceptor and 0.3 M sucrose as donor, while amylomaize VII showed the lowest increase (8.5%) in RS content. The crystalline polymorph of these enzyme‐modified starches resulted in the B‐type immediately after enzymatic reaction. The enzyme‐modified starches displayed higher melting peak temperatures (85.6–100.6°C) compared to their native starch counterparts (70.1–78.4°C). After enzymatic reaction, pasting temperature increased in waxy (71.9 → 77.6°C) and normal corn starches (75.3 → 80.6°C), and the peak viscosity of waxy corn starches increased from 264 to 349 RVU, whereas that of normal corn starches decreased from 235 to 66 RVU.     

Simultaneous estimation of amylose,resistant, and digestible starch in pea flour by visible and near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy

Due to its health benefits, resistant starch (RS) has received increasing attention from the public, and there is a need to develop methods to measure the amylose and RS concentration in pea (Pisum sativum L.) flour. The aim of this study was to develop a visible and near-infrared reflectance (vis–NIR) model for the simultaneous determination of amylose, RS, and digestible starch (DS) in pea flour. A total of 123 dry pea samples consisting of different pea varieties grown in different environments were collected, and ground to flour, and then the vis–NIR spectra were scanned. The amylose, RS, and DS contents of the pea flours were also measured by an enzymatic colorimetric assay. The spectra data were calibrated with the enzymatic colorimetric-assayed values. Results showed that amylose, RS, and DS in the pea flours can be simultaneously estimated using the vis–NIR spectra. Instead of using the full spectrum (300–2300 nm), we found the most efficient wave bands lying in the visible region between 370 and 560 nm and the NIR spectra in the range of 1600–1800 nm. Using the stepwise regression with backward elimination method, the multiple linear regression (MLR) models were developed from the most efficient wavelengths. The MLR models had the determination coefficients R² of 0.95, 0.76, 0.80, and 0.88 for amylose, RS, DS, and total starch, respectively. The correlation coefficients between model estimated and the enzymatic colorimetric assayed values were 0.97, 0.80, 0.85, and 0.93 for amylose, RS, DS, and total starch, respectively.     

Effect of hydrothermal treatment of runner bean (Phaseolus coccineus) seeds and starch isolation on starch digestibility

The study investigated the effect of traditional soaking and cooking, storage after cooking and freezing (? 18 °C, 21 days) and autoclaving of two varieties of runner bean on starch digestibility. Results achieved were compared with digestibility of isolated starch subjected to similar treatments. The digestibility of native starch from Nata var. seeds was lower after isolation than in raw flour. This starch was characterized by a higher content of fat and lower values of swelling power (SP) and amylose leaching (AML). After the thermal treatment, a significantly higher content of rapidly digestible starch (RDS) was observed both in seeds and starch. It was accompanied by reduced contents of resistant starch (RS) and slowly digestible starch (SDS). In flours from cooked seeds, the content of RDS was observed to be higher than in flours from autoclaved seeds, despite similar changes in contents of other constituents (ash and protein). It was probably due to better starch gelatinization owing to the long-lasting soaking of seeds. This resulted in a greater decrease of amylose content of starch compared to the other flours. Differences in SP, AML and thermal properties between starches isolated from two bean varieties had no influence on their digestibility after cooking. The storage of starch pastes at a temperature of ? 18 °C, unlike that of seeds, resulted in a significant increase in RS content, which shows the importance of other flour components in the process of starch retrogradation.     

Formation of Resistant Starch in Corn Starch and Estimation of its Content from Physicochemical Properties

The effect of autoclaving temperatures (100‐120°C) on yields of enzyme‐resistant starch (RS) from normal corn starch and the physicochemical properties of autoclaved‐cooled starches were studied. The RS content increased linearly with increasing autoclaving temperature (R² = 0.993) and the number of autoclaving‐cooling cycles at an autoclaving temperature of 120°C. The effect of the number of autoclaving‐cooling cycles was more pronounced than that of temperature. The swollen starch weight measured at 60°C slightly increased as the RS content increased, and then drastically decreased with the continous increase of the RS content (R² = ‐0.969). As the RS content increased, all parameters of Rapid Visco Analyser (RVA) viscosity except breakdown decreased. Log RVA peak viscosity showed a negative correlation with the RS content (R² = ‐0.986). The enthalpy in the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) endotherm corresponding to the transitions of RS linearly increased as the RS content increased (R² = 0.988). The RS content of the heat‐treated starch estimated from the relationship between RS content and swollen starch weight at 60°C, log RVA peak viscosity or DSC enthalpy was in good agreement with that determined with the standard method.     

Resistant starch: Its chemical form in foodstuffs and effect on digestibility in vitro

The chemical forms and resistance to hydrolysis in vitro of raw and gelatinised starch from peas, maize, wheat and potatoes were measured. Raw granular starch proved very resistant to amylolysis. Only wheat starch was fully degraded after 24 hours' incubation with amylase (20 units/mg polysaccharide) at 37°C. In contrast, hydrolysis of freshly gelatinised starches was essentially complete within 1 h. To investigate the onset of resistance to hydrolysis after gelation, dispersions of amylose and amylopectin were stored at 20°C prior to amylolysis. Retrogradation of amylose was rapid, and the resulting material was highly resistant to amylolysis. In contrast, amylopectin underwent retrogradation more slowly and was almost completely degraded by amylase after incubation for 24 h. The onset of resistance to starch-hydrolysis in an amylose-rich food (cooked peas) was confirmed using a simulated digestion technique.     

The effect of annealing on resistant starch content of different crop types: a systematic review and meta-analysis study

The growing demand for functional foods with a high resistant starch content (per cent RS) could be met by annealing starch modification. Through a meta-analysis, this study sought to shed light on the effect of annealing on the resistant starch content of various crop types. Twenty-one studies published between 2000 and 2020 were selected and eighty data points were extracted to be analysed using meta-essential tools. Hedge’s d Standardised Mean Difference (SMD) was designated for the effect size approach. Resistant starch content was influenced by the botanical origin of the carbohydrate source and the annealing parameters such as moisture content, incubation time and temperature. According to a meta-analysis of the data collected, the most significant increase in per cent RS is perceived on cereal (SMD: 7.58; 95% CI: 2.88–12.29; P = 0.001). Further analysis revealed that normal wheat had the highest significant per cent RS increase (SMD: 41.56; 95% CI: 19.52–63.61; P = 0.001). Annealing parameters resulted in significant %RS increase were moisture content of 80%, incubation time of 24 h and incubation temperature of 50–54 °C. These results were expected to provide data to optimise per cent RS increase through annealing efficiently.     

Structural characterizations and digestibility of debranched high-amylose maize starch complexed with lauric acid

Structural characterizations and digestibility of debranched high-amylose maize starch complexed with lauric acid (LA) were studied. The cooked starch was debranched by using pullulanase and then complexed. Light microscopy showed that the lipids complexed starches had irregularly-shaped particles with strong birefringence. Gel-permeation chromatograms revealed that amylopectin degraded to smaller molecules during increasing debranching time, and the debranch reaction was completed at 12 h. Debranching pretreatment and prolonged debranching time (from 2 h to 24 h) could improve the formation of starch lipids complex. X-ray diffraction pattern of the amylose–lipid complexes changed from V-type to a mixture of B- and V-type polymorphs and relative crystallinity increased as the debranching time increased from 0 to 24 h. In DSC thermograms, complexes from debranched starch displayed three separated endotherms: the melting of the free lauric acid, starch–lipid complexes and retrograded amylose, respectively. The melting temperature and enthalpy changes of starch–lipid complex were gradually enhanced with the increasing of debranching time. However, no significant enthalpy changes were observed from retrograded amylose during the starch–lipid complex formation. Rapidly digestible starch (RDS) content decreased and resistant starch (RS) content increased with the increasing of debranching time, while the highest slowly digestible starch (SDS) content was founded at less debranching time of 2 h. The crystalline structures with dense aggregation of helices from amylose-LA complex and retrograded amylose could be RS, while SDS mostly consisted of imperfect packing of helices between amylopectin residue and amylose or LA.     

Structural and physicochemical characterization of RS prepared using hydrolysis and heat treatments of chickpea starch

The aim of this study was to evaluate the production and the structural and physicochemical properties of RS obtained by molecular mass reduction (enzyme or acid) and hydrothermal treatment of chickpea starch. Native and gelatinized starch were submitted to acid (2 M HCl for 2.5 h) or enzymatic hydrolysis (pullulanase, 40 U/g per 10 h), autoclaved (121°C/30 min), stored under refrigeration (4°C/24 h), and lyophilized. The hydrolysis of starch increased the RS content from 16% to values between 20 and 32%, and the enzymatic treatment of the gelatinized starch was the most efficient. RS showed an increase in water absorption and water solubility indexes due to hydrolytic and thermal process. The processes for obtaining RS changed the crystallinity pattern from C to B. Hydrolysis treatments caused an increase in relative crystallinity due to the greater retrogradation caused by the reduction in MW. RS obtained from hydrolysis showed a reduction in viscosity, indicating the rupture of molecules. The viscosity seemed to be inversely proportional to the RS content in the sample.     

Fine Structure,Thermal and Viscoelastic Properties of Starches Separated from Indica Rice Cultivars

Starches were separated from indica rice cultivars (PR‐113, Basmati‐370, Basmati‐386, PR‐115, IR‐64, and PR‐103) and evaluated using gel permeation chromatography (GPC), X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic viscoelasticity . Debranching of starch with isoamylase and subsequent fractionation by GPC revealed 9.7–28.3% apparent amylose content, 3.7–5.0% intermediate fraction (mixture of short amylose and long side‐chains of amylopectin), 20.6–26.6% long side‐chains of amylopectin and 45.8–59.4% short side‐chains of amylopectin). IR‐64 starch with the highest crystallinity had the highest gelatinization temperatures and enthalpy, T_o, T_p, T_c, and ΔH_gel being 71.8, 75.9, 82.4°C and 5.1 J/g, respectively, whereas PR‐113 starch with lower crystallinity showed the lowest gelatinization temperatures (T_o, T_p, T_c, of 60.8, 65.7 and 72.2°C, respectively). Basmati‐386 starch exhibited two endotherms during heating, the first and second endotherm being associated with the melting of crystallites and amylose‐lipid complexes, respectively. T_o, T_p, T_c and ΔH_gel of the second endotherm of Basmati‐386 starch were 99.0, 100.1, 101.1°C and 2.0 J/g, respectively. During cooling, Basmati‐386 also showed an exotherm at a peak temperature of 87°C. PR‐113 starch with the highest amylose content and the lowest content of short side‐chains of amylopectin had the highest peak storage modulus (G′= 1.6×10⁴ Pa). The granules of PR‐113 starch were the least disintegrated after heating. The effects of heating starch suspensions at different temperatures (92°C, 130°C and 170°C) on intrinsic viscosity [η], transmittance and viscoelasticity were also studied to evaluate the extent of breakdown of the molecular structure. The intrinsic viscosity of starch suspensions heated at 92, 130 and 170°C ranged between 103–114, 96–110 and 28–93 mL/g. Transmittance value of starches cooked at 92°C decreased with increase in storage duration. All starches except PR103, cooked at 130°C also showed decrease in transmittance during storage, however, at lower rate. PR103 starch heated at 130°C did not show any change in transmittance up to a storage time of 48 h. The changes in viscoelasticity of starch pastes cooked at different temperatures during cooling and reheating were also evaluated. G′ and G′′ increased with decrease in temperature during cooling cycle. Starches heated at 130°C with apparent amylose content ≤ 21.2% showed an improvement in G′ and G′′ in comparison to the corresponding starches heated at 92°C, this improvement was observed to be higher in starches with lower amylose content. All starches heated at 170°C had a higher proportion of breakdown in molecular structure as indicated by lower G′ and G′′ than the same starches heated at 130 and 92°C.     

Starch Structure and Digestibility of Rice High in Resistant Starch

Starch digestibility and starch structure of a high‐resistant starch (RS) rice (RS111) was compared to that of a wild rice type (R7954). RS111 exhibited high RS content and incomplete starch hydrolysis in both cooked rice and retrograded rice flour. High RS rice RS111 had a higher λ_max of absorbance and blue value of iodine‐binding starch complex and contained a higher percentage of intermediate chains of amylopectin than R/954. X‐ray diffraction pattern of RS isolated from cooked high RS rice displayed a mixture of B‐ and V‐type that was more resistant to starch hydrolysis by alpha‐amylase. Resistant starch in RS111 is composed mainly of linear amylose and some low‐molecular‐weight amylopectin.     

Study on the physicochemical properties and in vitro digestibility of starch from yam with different drying methods

Four methods were applied to dry yam slices, and then, starches were isolated from dried yam slices. Starch isolated from fresh yam was as the study control, and physicochemical properties and in vitro digestibility of starches were studied. The results showed that the amylose content ranged from 12.62% to 28.25%, water‐binding capacity (WBC) from 111.67% to 262.88%, paste clarity from 2.1% to 6.23%, resistant starch (RS) from 66.60% to 88.49% and crystallinity from 11.27% to 25.52%. Compared with the control starch, hot air‐drying at 60 °C significantly decreased amylose content, paste clarity, RS and crystallinity, while increasing the WBC. Low levels of rapidly digestible starch and glucose and high RS levels were found in the starch from freeze‐drying yam. Digestibility of the starches was significantly correlated with amylose content, WBC, paste clarity and swelling power. The starch samples were divided into three groups by principal component analysis (PCA).     

Nutritionally Important Starch Fractions of Rice Cultivars Grown in Southern United States

Abstract: Dietary starches can be classified into 3 major fractions according to in vitro digestibility as rapidly digestible (RDS), slowly digestible (SDS), and resistant starch (RS). Literature indicates that SDS and/or RS have significant implications on human health, particularly glucose metabolism, diabetes management, colon cancer prevention, mental performance, and satiety. In this study, the nutritionally important starch fractions (RDS, SDS, and RS) in cooked rice were assayed in vitro, making use of 16 cultivars grown in 5 southern U.S. rice growing locations (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Texas). RDS, SDS, and RS were 52.4% to 69.4%, 10.3% to 26.6%, and 1.2% to 9.0%, respectively, of cooked rice dry weight. Cultivar, location, and cultivar-by-location interaction contributed to the variations in RDS, SDS, and RS contents. Means pooled across locations indicated that SDS was higher for the Louisiana samples than those from Texas, whereas RS was higher for the Texas samples than those from Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Some cultivars were identified to possess high levels of RS (for example, Bowman and Rondo) or SDS (for example, Dixiebelle and Tesanai-2) and were also stable across growing locations. Apparent amylose content correlated positively with RS (n = 80, r = 0.54, P ≤ 0.001), negatively with RDS (n = 80, r =−0.29, P ≤ 0.05), and insignificantly with SDS (n = 80, r = 0.21, P > 0.05). RS and SDS were not collinear (n = 80, r =−0.18, P > 0.05); it does not follow that a cultivar high in RS will also be high in SDS, and vice versa. The observed differences in RDS, SDS, and RS among the samples are indicative of wide genetic diversity in rice.     

Resistant Starch Content and Structural Changes in Maize (Zea mays) Tortillas During Storage

Storage of maize products such as tortillas may cause starch retrogradation and lead to resistant starch (RS) formation. This study was carried out to determine if storage of maize tortillas under refrigerated conditions enhanced RS content and/or modified RS structure. Improved Costeño variety maize grain was nixtamalized and processed into tortillas which were stored for five and ten days at 5°C. Total resistant starch (TRS) and retrograded resistant starch (RRS or RS3) contents were determined on raw and nixtamalized maize grain and tortillas stored for zero, five and ten days. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and near‐infrared (NIR) spectroscopy were use to evaluate structural changes in retrograded resistant starch isolated from each sample type. Total starch content was 67 ± 1.5% for all samples, TRS ranged from 3.3% in the raw grain at 7.2% in tortillas stored for ten days, while RRS starch content ranged from 0% in the raw grain to 3.2% in tortillas stored for ten days. DSC showed endothermic transitions corresponding to amylopectin and amylose retrogradation, at 31.9 and 139.7°C in RRS from tortillas stored for five days, and at 47.9 and 146°C in RRS from tortillas stored for ten days. These values agreed with the higher total RS content recorded after prolonged storage. XRD revealed a starch crystallinity of 13.7% in tortillas stored for five days and 15.3% in those stored for ten days. NIR spectroscopy analysis showed evidence of structural changes in polymeric order that were more pronounced in RRS of tortillas stored for ten days, due to increase in crystalline region.     

Effect of natural fermentation on phytate and polyphenolic content and in-vitro digestibility of starch and protein of pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoideum)

Natural fermentation at 20, 25 and 30°C for 72 h brought about a significant reduction in phytic acid content of pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoideum Rich) flour. The phytate content was almost eliminted in the flour fermented at 30°C. An increase in polyphenol content of fermented flour was noticed, the higher the temperature of fermentation the greater was the increase in polyphenol content of pearl millet. An improvement in starch as well as protein digestibility (in vitro) was noticed at all the temperatures of natural fermentation, the highest being at 30°C.