The influence of flaxseed gum on the retrogradation of maize starch

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

Isolation of Amylose from Starch Solutions by Phase Separation

Conventionally, fractionation of the two components of starches, amylopectin and amylose had been achieved by aqueous dispersion or aqueous leaching of granules, and selective retrogradation or alcohol precipitation of amylose. Recently, we found that starch solutions show the same phase behavior as the pseudo‐binary system polystyrene/poly(butadiene) in dioctylphthalate solution. By choosing proper temperature, concentration, and solvent medium, vertical phase separation could be induced in starch solutions. In this article, we show that construction of the phase dia‐gram of the two components of starch solutions provides us with a new simple method for isolating amylose from starch solutions.     

Relationships between amylopectin internal molecular structure and physicochemical properties of starch

BackgroundStructure-property relationships of starch components remain a subject of research interest. In recent years, there has been increasing evidence revealing the importance of amylopectin internal structure in determining physicochemical properties of starch. The part between the sole reducing end and out branches of amylopectin forms the internal part of the molecule. It contributes to the formation of the amorphous lamellae of the granules.Scope and approachThis mini-review focuses on the impact of amylopectin internal molecular structure on different physicochemical properties of starch. The properties include gelatinization, swelling power, amylose leaching, pasting, retrogradation, and digestibility of starch. The statistical approach to analyze the structure-property relationships of starch is also discussed. Related nomenclatures are described.Key findings and conclusionsAmylopectin with a longer internal chain length tends to give more ordered packing of double helices in the granules with a higher thermal stability. A longer internal chain length of amylopectin also contributes to the formation of recrystallized amylopectin with a more ordered structure and higher thermal stability. The results summarised in this mini-review clearly show that the molecular structure of amylopectin internal part should be considered in order to better understand the complex structure-property relationships of starch components.     

Retrogradation of Potato Starch as Studied by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy

Retrogradation kinetics for a potato starch-water system (10% w/w gel) was monitored by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy and compared with waxy maize starch. The spectra showed the C-C and C-O stretching region (1300-800 cm⁻¹) to be sensitive to the retrogradation process. A multi-stage process was observed during the retrogradation of potato starch and characterized as the formation of short- and long-range order. The first stage was characterized as the formation of helices and the fast formation of crystalline amylose regions. The second stage was described as the induction time for amylopectin helix aggregation. Stage three was described as the helix-helix aggregation and the crystallization of amylopectin. The overall-first order calculated rate constant of potato starch was (9.6±1.4) 10⁻ 3h⁻¹. The calculated rate constant were in agreement with the known difference in retrogradation kinetics of waxy maize and potato starch. The effects were explained by the differences in retrogradation rate of amylopectin and amylose. Potato starch consists of amylose as well as amylopectin. Whereas amylose crystallization occurs within a few hours, amylopectin crystallization is slow and takes a few weeks.     

The impact of heat-moisture treatment on molecular structures and properties of starches isolated from different botanical sources

Heat-moisture treatment is a hydrothermal treatment that changes the physicochemical properties of starches by facilitating starch chain interactions within the amorphous and crystalline domains and/or by disrupting starch crystallites. The extent of these changes is influenced by starch composition, moisture content and temperature during treatment, and by the organization of amylose and amylopectin chains within native starch granules. During heat-moisture treatment starch granules at low moisture levels [(<35% water (w/w)] are heated at a temperature above the glass transition temperature (T(g)) but below the gelatinization temperature for a fixed period of time. Significant progress in heat-moisture treatment has been made during the last 15 years, as reflected by numerous publications on this subject. Therefore, this review summarizes the current knowledge on the impact of heat-moisture treatment on the composition, granule morphology, crystallinity, X-ray pattern, granular swelling, amylose leaching, pasting properties, gelatinization and retrogradation parameters, and susceptibility towards α-amylase and acid hydrolysis. The application of heat-moisture treatment in the food industry is also reviewed. Recommendations for future research are outlined.     

Retrogradation of Sweetpotato Starch

Hardness and the percentage of leaked water of sweetpotato starch gels after storage were investigated as indexes of starch retrogradation. Starches of some varieties of sweetpotato were retrograded rapidly, but those of others were not retrograded during storage for one week. After one month of storage, starches of all varieties were highly retrograded, but the varietal order of hardness and the percentage of leaked water were almost the same as that after storage for one week. The study of chain length distribution by gel permeation chromatography after debranching by isoamylase showed that the hardness and the percentage of leaked water from the gel were positively correlated with amylose content and the proportion of Fr 1, the fraction of the highest molecular weight, containing amylose and extremely long chains of amylopectin, and negatively correlated with the proportion of Fr 3, the fraction with the lowest molecular weight, containing shorter chains of amylopectin. In addition, it was demonstrated by high performance anion exchange chromatography that the proportion of extra‐short chains (around DP 10) of amylopectin after isoamylase treatment was negatively correlated with the retrogradation index of starch. These results suggest that retrogradation of sweetpotato starch was promoted by amylose and extremely long chains of amylopectin and was inhibited by extra‐short chains (around DP 10) of amylopectin.     

淀粉糊物系及其老化特性研究

本文研究了淀粉糊的物系结构及淀粉糊的老化特性。在淀粉糊的非均相物系中,包含了直链淀粉溶液组成的分散体系(连续相)以及由支链淀粉团块和直链淀粉胶体组成的分散相。在存放过程中,连续相中的直链淀粉一部分参与了胶体的形成与成长,另一部分则产生重结晶。随存放时间,胶体结点尺寸、网络区域会逐渐长大、结点间距缩小,各团块之间会相互作用,产生凝聚,从而使淀粉糊的非均相性进一步增加。在存放后期,支链淀粉颗粒外围也会产生胶体现象。在淀粉糊的形成和老化过程中经历了从有序结构到无序结构,然后又排列成新的有序结构的过程。     

Effect of freezing rate and frozen storage on starch–sucrose–hydrocolloid systems

Model food systems based on starch (100 g kg⁻¹), sucrose (150 g kg⁻¹) and water (750 g kg⁻¹) with and without the addition of a low proportion of hydrocolloid (xanthan gum, guar gum or sodium alginate) were gelatinised, frozen at different rates and stored to analyse textural changes by oscillatory rheometry. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to analyse gelatinisation, amylopectin retrogradation and glass transition temperatures. Sucrose had a significant effect on the increase in the gelatinisation temperature as well as on the decrease observed in glass transition values. The onset temperature of the second step of the glass transition, corresponding to the heat capacity change close to ice melting (denoted Tg_im in the present work), ranged between −23.0 and −22.2 °C. Rheological viscoelastic tests showed an increase in the dynamic moduli G* and G ′ after slow freezing and during storage at −19 °C (T > Tg_im) in starch–sucrose systems that is related to sponge formation due to amylose retrogradation. DSC studies confirmed that also amylopectin retrogradation occurs during storage; however, samples containing gums did not develop the spongy appearance. Storage at the usual commercial temperatures (close to −18 °C, slightly above Tg_im) affects the quality of aqueous starch–sucrose pastes without gums owing to amylose and amylopectin retrogradation. However, when hydrocolloids are included in the formulations, the usual storage conditions allow the maintenance of acceptable textural attributes. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of the Extent of Conversion and Retrogradation on the Digestibility of Potato Starch

The effect of starch conversion on the susceptibility of potato granules to α‐amylase was studied by direct sampling at different pasting times corresponding to different points on the RVA profile of a 6.4% (w/w) suspension of starch in distilled water. Native granules showed high resistance to α‐amylase with 8.6 ± 0.4% digestibility for a 6 h incubation period with the enzyme. When the suspension was heated to 60 °C, the digestibility increased to 53.5 ± 0.7% although, at this temperature, there was still no noticeable increase in the measured viscosity (≤0.040 Pa · s). The material sampled after a pasting time corresponding to the RVA peak viscosity showed a digestibility of 88.4 ± 0.5%. This suggested, owing to the expected retrogradation of amylose on cooling, the quasi‐total susceptibility of amylopectin to enzymatic digestion at this pasting stage. The effect of ions on the swelling of potato starch was used to assess whether the decrease of the swelling of the granules in the presence of NaCl was paralleled by an increase in resistance to α‐amylase. A small (∼6.1%) but significant decrease in the digestibility of pasted starch was observed in the presence of salt. Finally, the effect of the retrogradation of the amylopectin fraction on its digestibility was assessed in extruded potato starch ribbons containing 35% (w/w) water and stored at different temperatures. After 14 days of storage, the digestibility decreased from 77.0 ± 0.9% in the freshly extruded samples to between 28.0 ± 1.7% and 42.1 ± 0.3%, depending on the storage temperature. This suggested a measurable difference in the α‐amylase susceptibility between the A and B polymorphs of retrograded amylopectin.     

Functional Properties and Retrogradation of Heat‐Moisture Treated Wheat and Potato Starches in the Presence of Hydroxypropyl β‐cyclodextrin

Some functional and retrogradation properties of native and heat‐moisture treated potato and wheat starches were examined in the presence of hydroxypropyl β‐cyclodextrin (HPβ‐CD). HPβ‐CD increased swelling factor, amylose leaching, and solubility of both native and heat‐moisture treated wheat starches but it had less impact on corresponding potato starches. Gelatinization enthalpy of native wheat starch was decreased in the presence of HPβ‐CD but was increased in potato starch with increasing concentration. Reduction of amylose‐lipid complex endotherm in both native and heat‐moisture treated wheat starch was observed in the presence of HPβ‐CD. Heat‐moisture treatment did not change the transition parameters of amylose‐lipid complex showing its resistance to hydrothermal treatment. HPβ‐CD greatly decreased the pasting temperature of wheat starch. Cold paste viscosity of both native and heat‐moisture treated wheat starch was increased by HPβ‐CD to a greater extent than corresponding potato starch. Amylopectin retrogradation of all the starches was unaffected in the presence of HPβ‐CD but heat‐moisture treatment slightly decreased retrogradation of potato starch. These results suggest that HPβ‐CD can disrupt the amylose‐lipid complex within the starch granule in both native and heat‐moisture treated wheat starch but has no influence on amylopectin retrogradation. However, greatly increased wheat starch setback with HPβ‐CD indicates its greater effect on wheat starch amylose retrogradation.     

6种不同种类直支链淀粉相互混合对其回生的影响

目的 研究6种不同种类直支链淀粉相互混合对其回生的影响。方法 将玉米淀粉、甘薯淀粉、木薯淀粉、马铃薯淀粉、糯米淀粉、小麦淀粉等6种不同种类直支链淀粉分离出来, 然后两两混合, 研究不同直支链混合对其回生率的影响。 结果 马铃薯支链淀粉与甘薯支链淀粉以2:8(m:m)混合回生率最低, 为60.0%, 玉米支链淀粉与木薯支链淀粉以8:2(m:m)混合回生率最低为52.6%, 小麦支链淀粉与糯米支链淀粉以8:2(m:m)混合回生率最低为51.2%, 甘薯支链淀粉与小麦支链淀粉以1:1(m:m)混合回生率最低为53.7%。木薯支链淀粉与小麦直链淀粉以1:1(m:m)混合时所得淀粉回生率最大, 达到了92.0%, 混合淀粉回生后X射线晶型为B型。结论 不同种类直支链淀粉混合对其回生率影响很大, 食品加工中尽量不要混合使用木薯支链淀粉与小麦直链淀粉。     

Starch Retrogradation: A Comprehensive Review

Starch retrogradation is a process in which disaggregated amylose and amylopectin chains in a gelatinized starch paste reassociate to form more ordered structures. Starch retrogradation has been the subject of intensive research over the last 50 years, mainly due to its detrimental effect on the sensory and storage qualities of many starchy foods. However, starch retrogadation is desirable for some starchy food products in terms of textural and nutritional properties. To better understand the effect of starch retrogradation on the quality of starchy foods, measurement methods of starch retrogradation and factors that influence starch retrogradation have been studied extensively. This article provides a comprehensive review of starch retrogradation including the definition of the process, molecular mechanisms of how it occurs, and measurement methods and factors that influence starch retrogradation. The review also discusses the effect of retrogradation on the in vitro enzyme digestibility of starch. Spectroscopic methods such as FTIR and Raman are considered to be very promising in characterizing starch retrogradation at a molecular level, although more studies are needed in the future.     

Wheat starch production,structure, functionality and applications—a review

Starch is the main component of wheat having a number of food and industrial applications. Thousands of cultivars/varieties of different wheat types and species differing in starch functionality (thermal, retrogradation, pasting and nutritional properties) are grown throughout the world. These properties are related to starch composition, morphology and structure, which vary with genetics, agronomic and environmental conditions. Starches from soft wheat contain high amounts of surface lipids and proteins and exhibit lower paste viscosity, whereas that from hard cultivars contain high proportion of small granules and amylose content but lower gelatinization temperature and enthalpy. Waxy starches exhibit higher‐percentage crystallinity, gelatinization temperatures, swelling power, paste viscosities and digestibility, but lower‐setback viscosity, rate of retrogradation and levels of starch lipids and proteins than normal and high‐amylose starches. Starches with high levels of lipids are less susceptible towards gelatinization, swelling and retrogradation and are good source of resistant starch, while that with high proportion of long amylopectin chains are more crystalline, gelatinize at high temperatures, increase paste viscosity, retrograde to a greater extent and decrease starch digestibility (high resistant and slowly digestible starch and low rapidly digestible starch).     

Properties of Cassava Starch Modified by Amylomaltase from Corynebacterium glutamicum

Amylomaltase (α‐1,4‐glucanotransferase, AM; EC 2.4.1.25) from Corynebacterium glutamicum expressed in Escherichia coli was used to prepare the enzyme‐modified cassava starch for food application. About 5% to 15% (w/v) of cassava starch slurries were incubated with 1, 3, or 5 units of amylomaltase/g starch. Apparent amylose, amylopectin chain length distribution, thermal properties, freeze–thaw stability, thermo‐reversibility, and gel strength of the obtained modified starches were measured. The apparent amylose content and retrogradation enthalpy were lower, whereas the retrogradation temperatures, freeze–thaw stability, and thermo‐reversibility were higher than those of the native cassava starch. However, when amylomaltase content was increased to 20 units of amylomaltase/g starch and for 24 h, the modified starch showed an improvement in the thermo‐reversibility property. When used in panna cotta, the gel strength of the sample using the 20 units/24 h modified cassava starch was similar to that of using gelatin.     

Effect of Cultivation Conditions on Retrogradation of Sweetpotato Starch

Sweetpotatoes were grown under four cultivation conditions, i. e. early planting and early harvesting (I, E‐E), standard (II, STD), early planting and late harvesting (III, E‐L), and late planting and late harvesting (IV, L‐L). Retrogradation of the starch isolated from fresh roots was estimated by the hardness and syneresis rate after two weeks of storage at 5 °C. A significant difference in retrogradation among the cultivation conditions and cultivars was observed. The starch tended to exhibit slower retrogradation in late harvesting, where the temperature was low. The differences in amylose content and the proportion of short unit‐chains (DP 9‐11) of amylopectin among cultivation conditions were also significant. Starch retrogradation was positively correlated with the proportion of chains with DP 12‐14 but negatively correlated with the proportion of DP 9‐11. Moreover, there was no significant correlation between amylose content and retrogradation. These results indicate that the main factor for retrogradation under any cultivation condition is the proportion of short unit‐chains of amylopectin. The best performance of sweetpotato starch as a food ingredient would be achieved by selecting both the proper cultivar and cultivation conditions.     

Physicochemical Properties of Pin Oak (Quercus palustris Muenchh.) Acorn Starch

Physicochemical properties of acorn (Quercus palustris) starch were studied. Acorn starch granules were spherical or ovoid, with diameters ranging from 3–17 μm. Acorn starch exhibited A‐type X‐ray diffraction pattern, an apparent amylose content of 43.4% and absolute amylose content of 31.4%. Relative to other A‐type starches, acorn amylopectin had a comparable weight‐average molar mass (3.9×10⁸ g/mol), gyration radius (288 nm) and density (16.3 g mol⁻¹nm⁻³). Average amylopectin branch chain‐length corresponded to DP 25.5. Onset gelatinization temperature was 65.0°C and peak gelatinization temperature was considerably higher (73.7°C). The enthalpy change of gelatinization was very high compared to non‐mutant starches (20.8 J/g). An amylose‐lipid thermal transition was not observed. Starch retrograded for 7 d at 4°C had very high peak melting temperature (54.2°C) relative to other A‐type starches. Final (260 RVU) and setback (138 RVU) viscosity of an 8% acorn starch paste was high relative to other starches and pasting temperature was 71.5°C.     

EFFECT OF SUGARS ON THE THERMAL AND RETROGRADATION PROPERTIES OF OAT STARCHES

The thermal and retrogradation properties of oat starches from two cultivars (NO 753-2 and AC Stewart) were characterized in the presence of glucose, fructose and sucrose at a concentration of 36% w/v. In both oat starches, amylose leaching (AML) and swelling factor (SF) decreased in the presence of sugars (sucrose > glucose > fructose). These decreases were more pronounced in AC Stewart starch. The decrease in AML showed that sugars interact with amylose chains within the amorphous regions of the starch granule. The gelatinization transition temperature and the enthalpy of gelatinization increased in the presence of sugars (sucrose > glucose > fructose). The above increase was also more pronounced in AC Stewart starch. The decrease in SF and the increase in gelatinization parameters indicated that these changes were influenced by the interplay of factors such as starch-sugar interaction, changes in water structure in the presence of sugars, and the antiplastizing properties of sugars relative to water. The retrogradation enthalpy and the X-ray diffraction intensities of NO 753-2 and AC Stewart starch gels (stored at 4C) increased in the presence of sugars (glucose > fructose > sucrose). These changes were more pronounced in NO 753-2 starch. The results showed that interaction (during storage) between leached amylopectin and sugar molecules was the main causative factor influencing oat starch retrogradation.     

Corn Starch-Xanthan Gum Interaction and Its Effect on the Stability During Storage of Frozen Gelatinized Suspension

The knowledge of starch pastes behavior during frozen storage becomes necessary to understand more complex systems (e.g. sauces, dressings and desserts) The effect of sub-zero storage on the quality attributes of corn starch pastes (10% w/w) with and without xanthan gum (0.3% w/w) was analyzed. Pastes were frozen at different rates (0.3 to 270cm/h) and stored at −5, −10 and −20°C. Exudate production (syneresis) and rheological behavior were studied by means of capillary suction and rotational viscometry respectively. Ice recrystallization was analyzed by indirect microscopic observations using isothermal freeze fixation and amylopectin retrogradation by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Samples stored at −5°C (glass transition temperature) or higher temperatures were under the rubbery state evidenced by starch recrystallization. This state favored molecular mobility leading to deteriorative changes (like spongy structure formation related to amylose retrogradation). At lower storage temperatures (−10 and −20°C) under the glassy state, starch retrogradation was not detected and deteriorative changes can be related to ice recrystallization. The addition of xanthan gum minimized amylose retrogradation, syneresis and rheological changes, however, its presence did not prevent ice recrystallization nor amylopectin retrogradation.     

Rheological Properties of Mixed Gels using Waxy and Non‐waxy Wheat Starch

Mixed starches with an amylose content of 5, 10, 18, 20, 23, and 25% were prepared by blending starches isolated from waxy and non‐waxy wheat at different ratios. The dynamic viscoelasticity of mixed 30% and 40% starch gels was measured using a rheometer with parallel plate geometry. The change in storage shear modulus (G′) over time at 5 °C was measured, and the rate constant of G′ development was estimated. As the proportion of waxy starch in the mixture increased, starch gels showed lower G′ and higher frequency dependence during 48 h storage at 5 °C. Since the amylopectin of waxy starch granules was solubilized more easily in hot water than that of non‐waxy starch granules, mixed starch containing more waxy starch was more highly solubilized and formed weaker gels. G′ of 30% and 40% starch gels increased steadily during 48 h. 30% starch gel of waxy, non‐waxy and mixed starches showed a slow increase in G′. For 40% starch gels, mixed starch containing more waxy starch showed rapidly developed G′ and had a higher rate constant of starch retrogradation. Waxy starch greatly influenced the rheological properties of mixed starch gels and its proportion in the mixture played a major role in starch gel properties.     

Studies on tuber and root starches. I. Structure and physicochemical properties of innala (Solenostemon rotundifolius) starches grown in Sri Lanka

Starches from two cultivars (Bola and Dik) of innala tubers (Solenostemon rotundifolius) grown in the same location and under identical environmental conditions in Sri Lanka was isolated and some of the characteristics determined. The yield of starch from both cultivars was 16.0% on initial tuber weight. The shape of the granules in both cultivars was dome shaped and hemispherical with 4–5 slightly concaved facets. Pores were found randomly distributed over the surface of both starch granules. The amylopectin branch chain length distribution was nearly similar for both starches. However, the starches differed with respect to granular swelling, amylose leaching, susceptibility towards acid and enzyme hydrolysis, gelatinization characteristics, pasting properties and retrogradation kinetics. The results showed that differences in amylose content, lipid complexed amylose chains, relative crystallinity and extent of interaction between amylose chains in the amorphous regions of the granule had a substantial impact on the observed differences in physicochemical properties.