Starch hydroxyalkylation: Physicochemical properties and enzymatic digestibility of native and hydroxypropylated finger millet (Eleusine coracana) starch

Starch was isolated from finger millet (Eleusine coracana) and it was etherified with propylene oxide to produce hydroxypropylated derivative. The specific specie used in this study is African finger millet known as jeero. The yield of starch obtained from finger millet on dry weight basis was 52.4%. Progressive increases in molar substitution (MS) were observed as the volume of propylene oxide added to the reaction medium increased. The X-ray pattern of native finger millet starch conforms to the ‘A’ diffraction pattern characteristics of cereal starches. Prominent peaks were observed at around 2θ=15°, 17°, 18° and 23° and weaker peaks at around 2θ=20° and 26°. No pronounced differences were observed between the diffractograms of native starch and the hydroxypropyl derivatives. Hydroxypropylation improved the free swelling capacities of the native starch at all temperatures studied (30–90 °C). Turbidity of unmodified finger millet starch paste increased progressively as the days of storage increased. Turbidity reduced remarkably after hydroxypropylation and reduction in turbidity was observed as the MS of the modified starches increased. Hydroxypropylation reduced pasting temperature, increased peak viscosity but reduced setback value. In addition, hydroxypropylation reduced percentage syneresis of the unmodified starch. Retrogradation properties monitored with differential scanning calorimetry reveals that starch retrogradation reduced reasonably after hydroxypropylation. Carbon 13 NMR spectroscopy reveals that hydroxypropylation took place predominantly on carbon 6 on the anhydroglucose unit (AGU).     

Hydrothermal treatments of rice starch for improvement of rice noodle quality

Two types of hydrothermal treated rice starches were prepared by annealing and heat-moisture treatment (HMT). Annealing of starch slurry was conducted at 55 °C for 24 h and HMT was applied in starch with 20 g/100 g moisture at 110 °C for 1.5 h, based on the optimization of the treatment conditions. The apparent changes on gelatinization, swelling, RVA paste viscosities and gel hardness of starch were observed. The study on 50% substitution of rice flour with untreated (UR), annealed (AR) or heat-moisture treated (HR) rice starches proved that the cooking and texture quality of rice noodle was substantially affected by the treatments. The composite noodles of flour and hydrothermal treated rice starches exhibited quality parameters which were closer to those of commercial noodles. The results revealed the possibility of utilizing these starches with low quality rice flour so as to produce noodles of acceptable quality. The study also inferred that characterization of RVA paste viscosities and gel texture of flour could become a practical method for predicting the quality of the derived noodle.     

Evaluation of antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of finger millet polyphenols (Eleusine coracana)

Phenolic acids from finger millet (Eleusine coracana) milled fractions (whole flour, seed coat, 3%, 5% and 7%) were isolated and their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties were evaluated. Acidic methanol extracts from seed coat to whole flour were rich in polyphenol content and were found to be stable up to 48 h at pH 4, 7, and 9 as studied by ultraviolet spectroscopy. Diadzene, gallic, coumaric, syringic and vanillic acids were identified as major phenolic acids from the extracted phenolics. Diadzene content was highest in concentration in the 5% flour. The reducing power of seed coat extract was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of whole flour extract. Antioxidant activity (AA) as determined by the β-carotene–linoleic acid assay indicated that the AA was highest in seed coat extract (86%), whilst at the same concentration it was only 27% in the whole flour extract. The seed coat extract showed higher antimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus and Aspergillus flavus compared to whole flour extract. From these observations, it can be inferred that the polyphenols are responsible for the microbial activity of the millet and the results indicate that potential exists to utilise finger millet seed coat as an alternative natural antioxidant and food preservative.     

Iron fortification of finger millet (Eleucine coracana) flour with EDTA and folic acid as co-fortificants

Fortification of staple foods with iron is a feasible strategy to enhance the intake of this mineral. In the present investigation, finger millet flour was explored for its suitability as a vehicle for fortification with iron. Ferrous fumarate and ferric pyrophosphate were added at levels that provided 6 mg of iron per 100 g of the flour, and both were found to be equally effective. Inclusion of EDTA and folic acid, along with the iron salts, significantly increased the bioaccessibility of iron from the fortified flours. The fortified flours were stable up to a period of 60 days. There was a decline in the bioaccessible iron content in the flour fortified with ferric pyrophosphate after 30 days of storage. Heat processing of the flours improved the bioaccessibility of iron from the unfortified and fortified flours. Fortification with iron did not affect the bioaccessibility of the native zinc from the flours.     

Functional and tableting properties of acetylated and oxidised finger millet (Eleusine coracana) starch

The functional and tableting properties of native (NaFM) and chemically modified (by acetylation, AcFM; and oxidation, OxFM) finger millet starches were investigated. The tablet formation properties of the starches were assessed by Heckel and Kawakita analysis. The swelling power and solubility of the starch increased with increase in temperature with AcFM having the highest swelling power, while OxFM had the highest solubility. X‐ray diffractometry showed that the starches had the characteristic ‘A’ pattern with strong peaks at 3.78, 4.37, 4.87, and 5.17 Å. Chemical modification causes rupture of some starch granules as revealed by the Scanning Electron Micrograph. Chemical modification also leads to improved gelatinisation profile, with reduction in ΔH_gel from 9.64 J/g (NaFM) to 3.88 J/g (AcFM) and 8.76 J/g (OxFM). The bulk density and Hausner's ratio increased after chemical modification of the starch. Chemical modification reduced the mean yield pressure, P_y (Heckel analysis) but increased the deformability P_k (Kawakita analysis) of the starch compacts. Chemical modification also increased the crushing and tensile strength of the starch compacts, but lowered its disintegration time and friability.     

Free sugars and non-starchy polysaccharides of finger millet (Eleusine coracana), pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoideum), foxtail millet (Setaria italica) and their malts

The aqueous ethanol extractable sugars and non-starchy polysaccharides of finger millet, pearl millet, foxtail millet and their malts were isolated and characterised. In comparison with native millets, the malted samples contained significantly higher levels of free sugars (glucose, fructose and maltose) and water-soluble non-starchy polysaccharides (WSNSP). The WSNSP isolated from malted samples were richer in hexoses than pentoses. The yield, as well as the qualitative and quantitative sugar profiles of the hemicellulosic polysaccharides, showed little variation between native and malted millets.     

Effect of finger millet (Eleusine coracana, Indaf-15) malt esterases on the functional characteristics of non-starch polysaccharides

Acetic acid esterase (AAE) (E.C 3.1.1.6) and ferulic acid esterase (FAE) (E.C 3.1.1.73) cleaves the acetyl groups substituted at O-2/O-3 of the xylan backbone and feruloyl groups substituted at 5′–OH group of arabinosyl residues, respectively of arabinoxylans. These enzymes modulate the functional properties of cereal arabinoxylans such as viscosity, foam stabilization and gelling. In the present study, water-soluble non-starch polysaccharides (WSPs) from ragi, wheat flours were isolated, and their functional characteristics were studied in the presence of purified esterases. Relative viscosities of the enzyme treated WSPs were marginally less than the untreated ones. Untreated WSPs from wheat and ragi were found to stabilize the thermal disruption of protein foams compared to the esterase treated ones. AAE treated WSPs of wheat and ragi showed increased gelation while FAE treated ones showed slight decrease in comparison with their respective controls. Xanthan gum (XG), which was deacetylated by purified AAE, showed improved gelation (ratio of relative viscosities for 0, 1 and 2 h of control and enzyme treated blend is 1:1.16, 1:1.35 and 1:1.20, respectively) when blended with locust bean gum (LBG).     

Synthesis and partial characterization of octenylsuccinic starch from Phaseolus lunatus

Phaseolus lunatus starch was modified by esterification with octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA) and reaction effect evaluated in terms of chemical composition, gelatinization, pasting and emulsification properties. Succinylation was done using a 2³ factorial design with four replicates of the central treatment. Evaluated factors and levels were OSA concentration (1% and 3%), pH (7 and 9) and reaction time (30 and 60 min). Succinyl group percentage was the response variable. The optimum treatment was a reaction with 3% OSA at pH 7 for 30 min, which produced 0.5083% succinyl groups and 0.0083° of substitution. No significant changes were observed in proximate composition between the native and derivative starches. Apparent amylose level decreased notably from 32.4% to 23.6% due to OSA inclusion. Succinylation decreased starch gelatinization temperature (75.3–64.6 °C), decreased enthalpy (10.7–9.7 J/g), increased viscosity (700–1000 BU), increased emulsifying capacity (0.47–0.53 ml oil/ml sample), and made emulsions more stable over time. Starch modification did not, however, improve stability in heating–cooling processes.     

Effect of heat-moisture treatment on the formation and physicochemical properties of resistant starch from mung bean (Phaseolus radiatus) starch

Mung bean starch was subjected to a range of heat-moisture treatments (HMT) based on different moisture contents (15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, and 35%) all heated at 120 °C for 12 h. The impact on the yields of resistant starch (RS), and the microstructure, physicochemical and functional properties of RS was investigated. Compared to raw starch, the RS content of HMT starch increased significantly, with the starch treated at 20% moisture having the highest RS content. After HMT, birefringence remained at the periphery of the granules and was absent at the center of some granules. The shape and integrity of HMT starch granules did not change but concavity was observed under scanning electronic microscopy. Apparent amylose contents of HMT starch increased and the HMT starch was dominated by high molecular weight fraction. Both the native and HMT starches showed A-type X-ray diffraction pattern. Relative crystallinity increased after HMT. The gelatinization temperatures (To, Tp, and Tc), gelatinization temperature range (Tc–To) and enthalpies of gelatinization (ΔH) increased significantly in HMT starch compared to native starch. The solubility increased but swelling power decreased in HMT starches. This study clearly shows that the HMT exhibited thermal stability and resistance to enzymatic hydrolysis owing to stronger interactions of starch chains in granule.     

Composition and enzyme inhibitory properties of finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) seed coat phenolics: Mode of inhibition of α-glucosidase and pancreatic amylase

Inhibitors of alpha glucosidase and pancreatic amylase play a vital role in the clinical management of postprandial hyperglycemia. Although, powerful synthetic inhibitors are available, natural inhibitors are potentially safer. Phenolic compounds from the millet seed coat were extracted with acidified methanol and characterised by HPLC and ESI-MS. These phenolics showed strong inhibition towards α-glucosidase and pancreatic amylase and the IC₅₀ values were 16.9 and 23.5 μg of phenolics, respectively. The enzyme kinetic studies, using Michaelis–Menton and Lineweaver–Burk equations, indicated that, in the presence of millet phenolics, the Michaelis–Menton constant (K_m) remained constant but the maximal velocity (V_max) decreased, revealing a non-competitive type of inhibition. The study indicated the therapeutic potentiality of millet phenolics in the management of postprandial hyperglycemia.     

Functional properties of square banana (Musa balbisiana) starch

Starch was isolated from unripe square banana (Musa balbisiana) fruit and its functional properties were determined. Square banana starch peak gelatinisation temperature was 79.8 °C and the transition enthalpy was 17.3 J/g. At 90 °C, the solubility was 16.8%, the swelling power was 17.1 g water/g starch and the water absorption capacity was 14.3 g water/g starch. The paste properties were: temperature, 81 °C; maximum viscosity, 326 BU; breakdown, 22 BU; setback, 40 BU and consistency, 18 BU. The clarity, expressed as transmittance, was 17.5%, and gel deformation was 32.4% with a 0.03 kgf maximum load. This starch had high syneresis and low stability in refrigeration and freezing cycles. Given its properties, square banana starch has potential applications in food systems requiring high temperature processing, such as jellies, sausages, bakery and canned products. It is inappropriate, however, for use in refrigerated or frozen foods.     

Physicochemical and functional properties of makal (Xanthosoma yucatanensis) starch

Physicochemical and functional properties of makal (Xanthosoma yucatanensis) starch were determined. Granules were oval in shape and 12.4 μm average diameter. Starch purity was high (96.7%) with low protein (0.1%), fat (0.2%), fibre (0.4%) and ash (0.1%) contents. Amylose content was 22.4%. The gelatinization temperature was 78.5 °C and transition enthalpy was 15 J/g. At 90 °C, solubility was 32.9%, swelling power was 28.6 g water/g starch and water absorption capacity was 19.2 g water/g starch. Pasting characteristics were: temperature 75 °C, maximum viscosity 280 BU, breakdown −8 BU, setback 180 BU and consistency 172 BU. Clarity, expressed as transmittance, was 35.8%. Gel deformation was 20.8% with a 0.03 kgf maximum load. Makal starch’s high gelification temperature and firmness make it appropriate for use in high temperature food systems, but its low stability in refrigeration and freezing cycles make it inadequate for use in foods subject to those conditions.     

Influence of the electron acceptor on nitrite reductase gene (nir) diversity in an activated sludge community

Analyses of the nitrite reductase gene diversities (nirK and nirS) in an activated sludge community fed with both nitrite and glucose were conducted. Results suggest that the topology of nirK and nirS gene fragment-based phylogenetic trees is influenced more by the available electron acceptor than by the carbon source. A denitrification reactor was operated for 53 days and a clone library constructed when the denitrifying communities in the SBR were supplied with both nitrite and glucose. Half of the nirK and nearly all the nirS gene fragments formed a cluster that was separate from a cluster containing nirK and nirS sequences derived from other communities in nitrate-fed reactors. On the other hand, nirK and nirS fragments obtained with glucose as the carbon source were similar to those detected in communities fed with other carbon sources.     

Improvement of functional properties and antioxidant activities of cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) muscle proteins hydrolyzed by Bacillus mojavensis A21 proteases

Functional properties and antioxidant activities of cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) muscle protein hydrolysates, with different degrees of hydrolysis (DH from 7.3% to 18.8%), obtained by treatment with Bacillus mojavensis A21 alkaline proteases were investigated. Protein contents for all freeze-dried cuttlefish muscle protein hydrolysates (CMPHs) ranged from 80% to 86%. For the functional properties, hydrolysis by A21 proteases increased (p < 0.05) protein solubility to above 78% over a wide pH range (2.0–11.0). However, the interfacial activities (emulsion activity index, emulsion stability index, foaming capacity and foaming stability) decreased with the increase of the DH. All CMPHs exhibited significant metal chelating activity and DPPH free radical-scavenging activity, and inhibited linoleic acid peroxidation. Antioxidant properties of protein hydrolysates increased with protein hydrolysis and the highest activities were obtained at DH of 16%. The IC₅₀ values for DPPH radical-scavenging and metal chelating activities were found to be 0.52 ± 0.01 mg/ml and 0.67 ± 0.13 mg/ml. The obtained results suggested that functional properties and antioxidant activities of cuttlefish muscle protein hydrolysates were influenced by the degree of hydrolysis.The composition of amino acids of undigested and hydrolyzed proteins was determined. CMPHs have a high percentage of essential amino acids such as arginine, lysine, histidine and leucine. They have a high nutritional value and could be used as supplement to poorly balanced dietary proteins.     

Resistance of Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Campylobacter jejuni after exposure to repetitive cycles of mild bactericidal treatments

While maintaining nutritional and sensorial attributes of fresh foods mild processing technologies generally deliver microbiologically perishable food products. Currently little information exists on possible increase in the resistance of pathogens after repetitive exposure to mild (sub-lethal) treatments. Multiple strain-cocktails of Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Campylobacter jejuni were exposed to 20 consecutive cycles of sub-lethal inactivation by three different techniques. Used techniques comprised inactivation with lactic acid (LA), chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) and intense light pulses (ILP). Results showed that the selection of resistant cells was both species and technique dependent. While repetitive cycles of ClO₂ treatment did not result in increased resistance, repetitive inactivation with LA yielded L. monocytogenes culture of higher resistance in comparison to the parental culture. The increased resistance, expressed as decreased level of reduction in bacterial counts in subsequent inactivation cycles, was also observed with ILP for both L. monocytogenes and E. coli O157:H7 strains. Visual trend observations were confirmed through statistical linear regression analysis. No such effects were noted for C. jejuni which became undetectable after first 2–5 cycles. Current findings indicate the ability of foodborne pathogens to adapt to mild bactericidal treatments creating new challenges in risk assessment and more specifically in hazard analysis.     

砂仁多糖对小麦淀粉理化性质及消化特性的影响

[目的]探究砂仁多糖对小麦淀粉体系的作用机理,揭示砂仁多糖对小麦淀粉品质形成影响的量效关系。[方法]通过制备砂仁多糖—小麦淀粉复配体系,研究砂仁多糖添加量对小麦淀粉糊化特性、流变特性、热力学特性、结晶结构及消化特性的影响。[结果]砂仁多糖可提高小麦淀粉复配体系的黏度和糊化温度,减少糊化过程中直链淀粉浸出,降低小麦淀粉糊化过程中结晶区的破坏程度,延缓糊化过程。当砂仁多糖添加量为1.00%时,复配体系崩解值为299 mPa·s,回生值为532 mPa·s、糊化焓为666.29 J/g,此时抗老化效果最佳且稳定性最好。红外光谱分析表明,砂仁多糖与小麦间通过氢键相互作用,当砂仁多糖添加量为1.00%时,氢键作用最强。体外模拟消化结果显示,砂仁多糖可以抑制小麦淀粉消化。[结论]添加砂仁多糖可有效提高小麦淀粉的热稳定性,降低小麦淀粉的消化率。     

Antioxidative and functional properties of protein hydrolysate from defatted skipjack (Katsuwonous pelamis) roe

Antioxidative and functional properties of protein hydrolysate from defatted skipjack (Katsuwonous pelamis) roe, hydrolysed by Alcalase 2.4 L (RPH) with different degrees of hydrolysis (DH) at various concentrations were examined. As DH increased, the reduction of DPPH, ABTS radicals scavenging activities and reducing power were noticeable (p < 0.05). The increases in metal chelating activity and superoxide scavenging activity were attained with increasing DH (p < 0.05). However, chelating activity gradually decreased at DH above 30%. All activities except superoxide anion radical scavenging activity increased as the concentration of hydrolysate increased (p < 0.05). Hydrolysis using Alcalase could increase protein solubility to above 80% over a wide pH range (2–10). The highest emulsion ability index (EAI) and foam stability (FS) of hydrolysates were observed at low DH (5%) (p < 0.05). Concentrations of hydrolysates determined interfacial properties differently, depending on DH. The molecular weight distribution of RPH with 5%DH (RPH5) was determined using Sephadex G-75 column. Two major peaks with the molecular weight of 57.8 and 5.5 kDa were obtained. Fraction with MW of 5.5 had the strongest metal chelating activity and ABTS radical scavenging activity. The results reveal that protein hydrolysates from defatted skipjack roe could be used as food additives possessing both antioxidant activity and functional properties.     

Effect of X-ray treatments on inoculated Escherichia coli O157: H7, Salmonella enterica, Shigella flexneri and Vibrio parahaemolyticus in ready-to-eat shrimp

This study was conducted to evaluate the inactivation effect of X-ray treatments on Escherichia coli O157: H7, Salmonella enteric (S. enterica), Shigella flexneri (S. flexneri) and Vibrio parahaemolyticus (V. parahaemolyticus) artificially inoculated in ready-to-eat (RTE) shrimp. A mixed culture of three strains of each tested pathogen was used to inoculate RTE shrimp. The shrimp samples were inoculated individually with selected pathogenic bacteria then aseptically placed in sterile plastic cups and air-dried at 22 °C for 30 min (to allow bacterial attachment) in the biosafety cabinet prior to X-ray treatments. The inoculated shrimp samples were then placed in sterilized bags and treated with 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 kGy X-ray at ambient temperature (22 °C and 60% relative humidity). Surviving bacterial populations were evaluated using a non-selective medium (TSA) with the appropriate selective medium overlay for each bacterium; CT-SMAC agar for E. coli O157: H7, XLD for S. enterica and S. flexneri and TCBS for V. parahaemolyticus. More than a 6 log CFU reduction of E. coli O157: H7, S. enterica, S. flexneri and V. parahaemolyticus was achieved with 2.0, 4.0, 3.0 and 3.0 kGy X-ray, respectively. Furthermore, treatment with 0.75 kGy X-ray significantly reduced the initial microflora on RTE shrimp samples from 3.8 ± 0.2 log CFU g⁻¹ to less than detectable limit (<1.0 log CFU g⁻¹).     

Comparison of antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella and Campylobacter isolated from turkeys in the Midwest USA

The current study was carried out to determine the antimicrobial resistance profiles and evaluate some molecular characteristics of a set of Salmonella and Campylobacter isolates recovered from production line turkeys in the Midwest region of the United States. A total of 94 birds identified as being positive for both Salmonella and Campylobacter spp. were selected for study. All Salmonella isolates were examined for antimicrobial resistance using the methods employed in the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS). Campylobacter isolates were subjected to similar analysis using the Etest^®. In addition, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out to determine the presence of the antimicrobial resistance associated genes, integrase (int1), class 1 integrons (Salmonella and Campylobacter) and a multidrug efflux pump (Campylobacter spp.). Results from the study showed that the Salmonella and Campylobacter isolates examined displayed resistance to a number of antimicrobials, with Salmonella and Campylobacter isolates being resistant to at least three antimicrobials while some isolates showed resistances to 6 or 8 different antimicrobials. In addition, 68.1% of the Salmonella isolates tested were found to be positive for the class I integrase gene (int1), 28.7% possessed a 1000 bp gene cassette and 17% possessed an 800 bp gene cassette. All Campylobacter isolates were negative for int1, but 36.2% tested positive for the Campylobacter multidrug efflux pump (CmeB). A considerable number of Salmonella and Campylobacter isolates tested displayed varying degrees of antimicrobial resistance as well as the presence of some factors associated with the carriage and persistence of antimicrobial resistance. Similarities in the types of antimicrobial resistance observed in Campylobacter and Salmonella strains was evident. The results of this study suggest that prescribing practice at the farm level may be a factor in promoting antimicrobial resistance in more than one species of organism. Such practices may, therefore, contribute to the potential health risk for consumers should micro-organisms carrying multiple antimicrobial resistances enter the food chain. This study may be one of the first to report on the incidence of the multidrug efflux pump (CmeB) in Campylobacters recovered from processed turkeys. The antimicrobial resistance and molecular characteristics of Salmonella and Campylobacter is discussed.