In vitro digestibility of starch in cooked potatoes as affected by guar gum: Microstructural and rheological characteristics

Potatoes from different New Zealand cultivars (Nadine, Moonlight, Red Rascal, Agria) were analysed for starch digestibility in vitro (under simulated gastric and small intestinal conditions). The extent of starch hydrolysis (%) for all the potato cultivars ranged between 85% and 95% at the end of in vitro digestion. Nadine potatoes, which were waxy in texture, showed higher starch hydrolysis (%) whereas these levels did not differ significantly among the other three cultivars. Confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were performed on the digests in order to study the microstructural changes occurring during digestion in cooked potatoes. The micrographs clearly showed that starch was quickly hydrolysed by the enzymes present in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) whereas the cell walls remained intact during simulated digestion process. Addition of guar gum (0.5%) to cooked potatoes reduced their starch hydrolysis (%) by ∼15% during the in vitro digestion. Online viscosity measurements were also performed on the cooked potatoes during simulated small intestinal digestion using a dynamic rheometer. Cooked potato viscosity dropped considerably upon the action of enzymes from SIF on starch as the digestion progressed. The presence of 0.5% guar gum facilitated the cooked potato matrix to maintain viscosity similar to undigested cooked potato sample throughout the in vitro digestion, which might have resulted in lower starch hydrolysis (%).     

Microstructural,cooking and textural characteristics of potato (Solanum tuberosum L) tubers in relation to physicochemical and functional properties of their flours

Potato tubers from six different cultivars were freeze‐dried, ground into flour and analyzed for thermal, pasting and textural characteristics (using differential scanning calorimetry, Rapid Visco analyzer and Instron universal testing machine, respectively) to study the relationship between flour characteristics and cooked potato mealiness. The potatoes with higher sensory mealiness scores resulted in flours having lower transition and pasting temperatures, higher amylose content, setback, peak and final viscosity. The flour gels from the mealier potatoes also exhibited higher values of textural parameters such as hardness, cohesiveness, chewiness and springiness. The microstructure of the tuber parenchyma (studied using scanning electron microscopy), cooking and sensory characteristics of potatoes were found to be related to the pasting and textural characteristics of their flours. Potato cultivars with lower mealiness scores, loosely packed cell arrangement, with comparatively large‐size cells and thinner cell walls showed lower values of textural parameters for both raw and cooked potatoes. This information may prove useful for the selection of potato cultivars with desirable textural and flour‐making properties for specific end‐uses. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

RHEOLOGICAL AND TEXTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF RAW AND PAR-COOKED TAEWA (MAORI POTATOES) OF NEW ZEALAND

The quality characteristics of raw and par-cooked (partially cooked) tubers from four different Taewa cultivars were evaluated and compared with a modern potato cultivar (Nadine). Significant differences in dry matter, starch content, color and specific gravity were observed among the raw tubers from the different cultivars. Moemoe and Tutaekuri Taewa cultivars showed higher dry matter content (21.97 and 21.57%, respectively) whereas the lowest specific gravity of 1.057 was observed for Nadine. Par-cooked chef-ready tubers were prepared from each cultivar and evaluated for quality during 21 days of storage at 4C. Tutaekuri raw as well as par-cooked tubers had higher fracturability and hardness whereas Nadine par-cooked tubers had higher adhesiveness than other cultivars. Rheological parameters such as storage modulus ( G' ), loss modulus and loss tangent (tan δ ) were dependent on the dry matter and starch contents of the tubers. The highest peak G' values of 24,930 Pa and 19,700 Pa were observed for Tutaekuri and Moemoe potato cultivars, respectively.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Ready-to-microwave par-cooked tubers with a refrigerated shelf life of 21 days were developed without using any chemical preservatives. The rheology of the tuber tissue was studied using a dynamic rheometer for the first time. The technique allows the continuous monitoring of the changes occurring in the potato tissue during the heating and cooling cycles. Significant correlations between the textural characteristics of raw and cooked tubers and the dynamic rheological characteristics of fresh tubers were observed. The technique may be helpful in predicting the viscoelastic characteristics of raw potatoes and the changes in the texture of cooked tubers during refrigerated storage.     

Influence of cooking and microwave heating on microstructure and mechanical properties of transgenic potatoes

The transgenic potato clones of cultivar Irga with improved resistance to a necrotic strain of potato virus Y (PVY(N)) were subjected to heat treatment in order to determine their technological quality. The technological quality was determined on the basis of differences between mechanical properties of unmodified potato and transgenic clones during cooking and microwave heating. The compression test was applied in order to evaluate the mechanical resistance of raw, cooked and microwave-treated potatoes. Compression resistance was expressed by fracture stress F (kPa), fracture strain D (mm/mm), and Young modulus E (kPa). The differences in microstructure of potato tubers (unmodified and modified) were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The observed differentiation in the mechanical properties of heat-treated potatoes was less connected with genetic modification but most of all with a kind of the process used. The heat processes caused a distinct decrease in mechanical resistance in all the examined tubers. However, the process of microwave heating resulted in more significant changes in mechanical properties of tubers than cooking. Deformation of parenchyma cells during cooking was directly connected with starch, gelatinisation and gel formation. Microwave heating affected significantly cellular water evaporation which resulted in intercellular failure, collapsing of cells, and limitation of starch gelatinisation.     

Textural and Rheological Properties of Cooked Potatoes

Cooked potato samples of different cultivars and specific gravities were analyzed for textural and rheological properties by sensory evaluation, texture profile analysis (TPA) and stress relaxation tests. Mealiness was correlated with the product of cohesiveness and adhesiveness, but not with other TPA parameters. Stress relaxation tests of cooked potatoes yielded a Maxwell model consisting of two viscous and three elastic elements. One of the elastic moduli was correlated with mealiness. Hardness by sensory evaluation correlated well with hardness and fracturability by TPA, and with the three elastic moduli in the relaxation model.     

Texture and Microstructure of Steam Cooked, Vacuum Packed Potatoes

Uniaxial compression tests combined with light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to study textural properties of vacuum packed, steam cooked (VPS-cooked) potato tubers. Comparisons were made with conventionally water cooked tubers for cooking intervals of 0–60 min. In the VPS-cooked potatoes the gelatinized starch formed dense clusters. In contrast, water cooked cells were filled with gelatinized starch. The textural attributes declined with increased cooking time, faster for water cooked potatoes than for VPS-cooked. After >30 min cooking, firmness of VPS-cooked potatoes increased, while cell separation and disintegration of tissue made the water cooked tubers less firm. Textural properties and cell structure were directly affected by processing conditions.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sous</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">Vide</Emphasis> Processing as an Alternative to Common Cooking Treatments: Impact on the Starch Profile,Color, and Shear Force of Potato (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum tuberosum</Emphasis> L.)

This study aimed to assess the effect of sous vide cooking on the total and resistant starch content, color, and shear force in three potato cultivars (Agria, Agata, and Carrera). Potato strips were also cooked by three common treatments (boiling, frying, and microwaving) to evaluate the differences between the methods. According to principal component analysis (PCA), sous vide-processed cv. Agria and Agata potato strips were grouped with boiled samples, in contrast, cv. Carrera sous vide samples were grouped with microwaved samples. Higher water losses were associated with microwaved potatoes due to the diffusion of water inside the tuber. In addition, a significant decrease in shear force was obtained after microwaving and sous vide cooking (p < 0.05) irrespective of the treatment strength. The three cultivars became less bright, and the intensity of the color decreased; however, variations in the cook value (C ₁₀₀, min) between treatments did not affect the lightness and hue angle. Regardless of the initial value of resistant starch and the intensity of the cooking process, all of the cultivars reached a final content of less than 5%. From our results, in-pack sterilization may be considered for application in the food industry as a technology that has a similar impact to conventional cooking treatments used on potato products.     

Structural Changes Related to Texture of Pre-Peeled Potatoes

Pre-peeled potatoes, treated with heated ascorbic/citric acid solutions to control browning, undergo firming and separation of superficial tissues that affect texture after mashing and slicing following cooking. Examination of superficial parenchyma cells in cooked potatoes by scanning and transmission electron microscopy indicated greater cell wall rigidity and middle lamella retention in samples treated with browning inhibitors than in untreated controls. Lumps in mashed potatoes prepared from treated samples showed similar characteristics. Treated samples sometimes displayed a discontinuity beneath the superficial tissue, corresponding to site of tissue separation during slicing. These observations are consistent with treatment-induced changes in cell wall and/or middle lamella pectins as the cause of such textural defects.     

Textural and pasting properties of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) as affected by storage temperature

Fresh tubers from five potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars were stored at different temperatures (4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 °C) and 80–90% relative humidity for 18 weeks after harvest to examine the effect of storage temperature on their textural and pasting properties. Texture profile analysis was performed on raw and cooked potatoes using an Instron universal testing machine to measure textural parameters such as fracturability, hardness, cohesiveness, adhesiveness and springiness. Both raw and cooked potato tubers showed a considerable reduction in all textural parameters upon storage, irrespective of the storage temperature employed. Raw potatoes showed a decrease in fracturability and hardness with increasing storage temperature, whereas their cooked counterparts showed the opposite trend. The extent of change in the textural properties of both raw and cooked potatoes also varied among the different cultivars. Fresh and stored tubers from all cultivars were freeze‐dried, ground into flours and analysed for amylose content and pasting properties. The amylose content of flours prepared from potatoes stored at 4 and 8 °C was observed to be considerably lower than that of flours prepared from potatoes stored at 16 and 20 °C. Pasting characteristics such as peak viscosity, setback and final viscosity increased with increasing storage temperature, while the reverse was observed for pasting temperature, when studied using a rapid visco analyser. Breakdown in viscosity of the flour pastes from all cultivars was considerably reduced during storage, irrespective of the storage temperature employed. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Low temperature post-harvest storage of New Zealand Taewa (Maori potato): Effects on starch physico-chemical and functional characteristics

Fresh tubers from four traditional Taewa (Maori potato) cultivars (Karuparera, Tutaekuri, Huakaroro and Moemoe) and one modern potato cultivar (Nadine) of New Zealand, were stored at 4 °C and 80–90% relative humidity for six months after harvest. Starch was isolated from tubers after every three month period, and its physico-chemical and functional properties measured. Considerable changes in these properties occurred during storage. The extent of changes varied significantly from cultivar to cultivar. Starch swelling power, solubility and light transmittance decreased during tuber storage while a slight increase was observed in starch amylose content. The starch granule size distribution shifted to smaller granule size during tuber storage. Scanning electron micrographs showed degradation/erosion and pitting on the surfaces of many of the starch granules isolated from stored tubers. Transition temperatures and enthalpies of gelatinization of the starches increased somewhat during tuber storage, suggesting that changes in the stability of starch crystalline structures had occurred. Pasting, viscoelastic and texture profile analysis (TPA) characteristics of starch gels were found to have been influenced by tuber storage time for all the cultivars, but to the greatest extent for Nadine and Huakaroro. Gels made from starches from the stored tubers had a reduced tendency towards retrogradation as evidenced by the decrease in syneresis (%) during gel storage at 4 °C.     

Morphological,thermal, rheological and noodle‐making properties of potato and corn starch

A comparison between the morphological, thermal, rheological and noodle‐making properties of corn starch and potato starches separated from five different potato cultivars was made. The granule size and shape of all starches differed significantly. Potato starch granules were comparatively larger than corn starch granules, while the transition temperatures were found to be higher for corn starch. Consistency coefficients and flow behaviour indices measured by back extrusion were higher for potato starches than for corn starch. Stickiness of cooked starch pastes was observed to depend upon their consistency coefficient. The gels made from all potato starches showed higher gel strength than those from corn starch. The gel strength of starches from both corn and potato increased during refrigerated storage. The amylose content, swelling power, solubility and light transmittance values of potato starches were significantly higher than those of corn starch. Noodles made from potato starches had higher cooked weight and cooking loss than corn starch noodles. Texture profile analysis revealed that potato starch noodles also had higher hardness and cohesiveness than corn starch noodles. Hardness of cooked noodles from all starches increased and cohesiveness decreased during storage. Noodles made from starches of higher viscosity exhibited higher hardness and cohesiveness. Textural differences among cooked starch noodles appeared to be associated with morphological, thermal and rheological properties of corn starch and potato starches. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Process optimisation and physicochemical characterisation of potato powder

Samples of two potato cultivars (Agria and Merit), cultivated either conventionally or organically, were analysed to evaluate their suitability to transformation into powder. Agria cultivar potatoes from the conventional farming were selected as the most suitable for drying process both for their high-dry matter and good nutritional value. Blanching resulted in the most effective treatment to prevent potato browning. The potato powder was obtained by means of a drum dryer using different process parameters (temperature, time and product thickness) to minimise thermal damage on the final product. The effects of these different processes were evaluated by analysing some quality indicators, as final moisture, nutrients (carbohydrates, proteins and amino acids) and colour of the powder, and rheological properties of the rehydrated puree. The results of such analyses showed that the lower the process temperature, the better the powder quality.     

CHANGES IN PHYSICO-CHEMICAL, THERMAL, COOKING AND TEXTURAL PROPERTIES OF RICE DURING AGING

Studies were undertaken to investigate the effect of aging on the physico-chemical, thermal, cooking and textural properties of milled rice obtained from two rice cultivars (Basmati-370 and Sharbati). The physicochemical properties like amylose content, liquification number decreased while the free fatty acid content increased with aging. Basmati-370 milled rice had higher cooking time and elongation ratio which subsequently increased with aging in both the cultivars. Water uptake and gruel solids loss also decreased significantly with the aging of the milled rice from both the cultivars. Sharbati milled rice showed higher transition temperatures, enthalpy of gelatinization and peak height index than Basmati-370 rice cultivar when determined by Differential Scanning Calorimeter. All these thermal parameters decreased with the aging of milled rice from both the cultivars. Textural properties such as packability, hardness, cohesiveness, extrudability and chewiness of cooked rice were measured using Instron Universal Testing Machine by back extrusion test. Basmati-370 cooked rice had higher packability, hardness, cohesiveness, extrudability and chewiness value as compared to Sharbati cooked rice. The values for all textural parameters in both the cultivars increased during aging, however, the increases were greater in Basmati-370 rice.     

Gelatinization of Sweet Potato,Tania and Yam Tuber Starches

Morphological changes that occur in starch granules of sweet potato, tania and yam tubers from native to cooked states, were studied both by electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. In the first stages of heating, the same event was observed in all samples: a central cavity appeared at hilum level of the starch granules just before granule expansion started. Differences in gelatinization behaviour between these three starches were enhanced by mechanism by which amylose leached out. In the sweet potato starch granules, amylose was released through micropores formed in the starch granules during the phase of expansion whereas in tania starch granules, both micropores and pin-holes were observed. In yam starch granules, amylose escaped only by pin-holes formed across the starch granules. When cooking was achieved, spongy-like structures were observed in cooked sweet potato parenchyma cells while folded gelatinized granules remained in yam. In cooked tania tuber, both types of cell contents were observed. Sweet potato, tania and yam starches presented DSC endotherms at 72.7, 69.9 and 74.4°C with enthalpy change of 13.6, 12.9 and 20.9J/g, respectively.     

Impact of selected factors – Cultivar,storage, cooking and baking on the content of anthocyanins in coloured-flesh potatoes

The impact of selected factors – cultivar, storage, cooking and baking on the content of total anthocyanins (TAC) in coloured-flesh potato cultivars has been studied. TAC ranged from 248.5 to 2257.8 mg kg⁻¹ dry matter (DM). TAC difference between cultivars was statistically significant. Cold storage (4 °C) influenced TAC differentially. In the Violette and Highland Burgundy Red cultivars TAC increased by 18.5% and 12.1% respectively, and in the Valfi cultivar it decreased by 33.9%. Baking increased TAC 3.34 times whereas cooking in boiled water increased it 4.22 times. Correlation between antioxidant activity (AOA) and TAC (r² = 0.659) has been found. The Violette, Vitelotte and Highland Burgundy Red cultivars with the highest TAC showed high AOA and the Shetland Black cultivar and the cultivars Salad Blue and Blue Congo with a “marbled” texture showed the lowest TAC and AOA. Individual anthocyanidins are fingerprints of colour-fleshed potato cultivars.     

Cell wall modifications during cooking of potatoes and sweet potatoes

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L) tissue, when cooked at 70 °C to activate β‐amylase and break down starch, takes on a distinctive firm, brittle texture and does not show the cell separation that occurs in, for example, cooked potato (Solanum tuberosum L). Similar cooking conditions increase firmness in other plants by activating pectin methyl esterase which de‐esterifies pectic polysaccharides and protects them from thermal depolymerisation. We therefore isolated cell walls from both potatoes and sweet potatoes cooked at 70 °C and 100 °C and determined the remaining degree of methyl esterification of their pectins. Pectins from both species were demethylated to a similar extent at 70 °C and 100 °C. Since cooking sweet potato at 100 °C induced cell separation and softening, it is concluded that β‐amylase is rapidly inactivated at that temperature and swollen starch distends and separates the cells, whereas the firm texture obtained by cooking that species at 70 °C is not the result of pectin demethylation but is caused by the breakdown of starch to oligomers that can escape from the cell. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

基于主成分分析法的熟化马铃薯品质评价

以‘紫花白’马铃薯为原料,研究汽蒸、水煮、微波、烘烤、Air-frying（无油）、Air-frying（加油）、油炸7 种熟化方式对其基本营养成分和核苷酸类鲜味物质、质构、色泽及感官品质的影响,并对其品质指标进行主成分分析。结果表明：汽蒸和微波可最大程度地降低马铃薯基本营养成分的损失;微波显著提升了马铃薯核苷酸类鲜味物质含量且含量最高;Air-frying（无油）显著影响马铃薯质构特性;Air-frying（加油）与油炸显著加深马铃薯色泽;水煮熟化后马铃薯感官评分最高;经主成分分析后,7 种熟化方式下马铃薯品质评价综合得分由大至小依次是：Air-frying（加油）＞微波＞油炸＞水煮＞烘烤＞汽蒸＞Air-frying（无油）。由此得出结论：汽蒸可作为马铃薯深加工前期熟化处理的较优选择;Air-frying（加油）可较好地保留其品质特性,微波可满足摄食低脂类食品消费者的需求。     

Physicochemical and sensory properties of fresh potato-based pasta (gnocchi)

This study dealt with the characterization and quality assessment of 3 kinds of potato-based pasta (gnocchi) made with steam-cooked, potato puree (water added to potato flakes), and reconstituted potatoes as main ingredients. The aim of the research was to evaluate the quality of the products in terms of physicochemical, textural, and sensory characteristics. Water content, water activity, color (L* and h°), and texture (texture profile analysis [TPA] and shearing test) were evaluated on both raw and cooked samples. In addition, on the recovered cooking water the loss of solid substances was determined and on the cooked gnocchi a sensory assessment was performed. Eight sensory attributes (yellowness, hardness, gumminess, adhesiveness, potato taste, sweet taste, flour taste, and sapidity) were investigated. Statistically significant differences among products were obtained, especially concerning textural properties. In fact, sample made with reconstituted potatoes and emulsifiers resulted the hardest (8.53 ± 1.22 N), the gummiest (2.90 ± 0.05 N), and the "chewiest" (2.90 ± 0.58 N) after cooking. Gnocchi made with potato puree or reconstituted potatoes significantly differed from the one produced with steam-cooked potatoes in terms of sensory properties (yellowness, hardness, flour taste, and sapidity). Pearson's correlation analysis between some textural instrumental and sensory parameters showed significant correlation coefficients (0.532 < r < 0.810). Score plot of principal component analysis (PCA) confirmed obtained results from physicochemical and sensory analyses, in terms of high discriminant capacity of colorimetric and textural characteristics.     

Long-Term Storage Effects on the Physical Properties of the Potato

Determination of physical properties of agricultural products, such as the potato, and their variations during long-term storage, is an important feature in achieving high product quality and consumer acceptance. Physical properties of potatoes (Agria, Satina, and Caesar cultivars), including surface area, volume, moisture content, weight, and three main diameters of tuber, were measured and then other properties, such as sphericity, roundness, geometric mean diameter, volume mean diameter, aspect ratio, effective diameter, and real density during storage time, were calculated. The measurements were done every 15 days for a period of 22 weeks and analyzed based on a completely randomized block design in ten replications. Significant differences were observed among three potato cultivars according to major diameter, shape characteristics, mass, volume, and surface area of tubers. In this relation, Satina was larger in size compared to the two other cultivars. However, the Agria cultivar was closer to a sphere in shape. Also, it was found that the surface area of each potato could be estimated based on its mass and volume by a power law equation with a high coefficient of determination. According to the results, real density of tubers increased as a function of storage time based on a polynomial equation with R² = 0.99. During storage time, moisture content of tubers decreased according to a linear model and was probably the major rationale for decrease in tuber size. Density, size, and moisture content are the major physical characteristics of potato tubers, which change dramatically during long-term storage. Considerable differences in physical properties of different cultivars persuade researchers to carry out further studies on other popular potato cultivars.     

Effect of processing on potato starch: in vitro availability and glycaemic index

The content of digestible starch (DS) and resistant starch (RS) in processed potatoes was assessed. In addition, the effect of domestic cooking on the in vitro digestibility of starch in this tuber, which may influence the glycaemic response, was studied. Resistant starch in raw potato is high, however different RS values were obtained when processed, ranging from 1.18% in boiled potatoes to 10.38% in retrograded flour. In general, cooked potatoes have high levels of DS. Starch digestibility is improved after processing and it is affected by the cooking methods. Boiled and mashed potatoes showed the highest rate of digestion, on the contrary raw potato was hardly digested. The estimated Glycaemic Index (GI) from the degree of starch hydrolysis within 90 min was in accordance with the reported GI values, for potatoes processed in the same way.