Comparative susceptibilities of sago,potato and corn starches to alkali treatment

The effects of steeping starch (sago, corn, and potato), in 0.025 M of sodium hydroxide for 0, 15, and 30 days at 30 °C, on its granular structure and other physicochemical properties were investigated. Changes in the morphology of starch granules indicated that the alkaline solution affected the granular structure of the starch. Pasting studies showed that the peak viscosity, breakdown, and setback of sago and potato starch decreased significantly, whereas that of corn starch increased significantly, when steeping time was prolonged. Swelling power increased significantly for treated potato and corn starches, but it decreased for sago starch. The amylose content of all alkali-treated starches also decreased significantly after treatment. Onset and peak temperatures of gelatinization (as analyzed with a differential scanning calorimeter) increased significantly, but the enthalpy decreased, for both gelatinization and retrogradation. The results showed that the physicochemical properties of starch of various botanical origins were affected to variable degrees when it was treated with alkaline solution.     

Microstructural and physicochemical properties of heat-moisture treated waxy and normal starches

Starches from normal rice (21.72% amylose), waxy rice (1.64% amylose), normal corn (25.19% amylose), waxy corn (2.06% amylose), normal potato (28.97% amylose) and waxy potato (3.92% amylose) were heat-treated at 100 °C for 16 h at a moisture content of 25%. The effect of heat-moisture treatment (HMT) on morphology, structure, and physicochemical properties of those starches was investigated. The HMT did not change the size, shape, and surface characteristics of corn and potato starch granules, while surface change/partial gelatinization was found on the granules of rice starches. The X-ray diffraction pattern of normal and waxy potato starches was shifted from B- to C-type by HMT. The crystallinity of the starch samples, except waxy potato starch decreased on HMT. The viscosity profiles changed significantly with HMT. The treated starches, except the waxy potato starch, had higher pasting temperature and lower viscosity. The differences in viscosity values before and after HMT were more pronounced in normal starches than in waxy starches, whereas changes in the pasting temperature showed the reverse (waxy > normal). Shifts of the gelatinization temperature to higher values and gelatinization enthalpy to lower values as well as biphasic endotherms were found in treated starches. HMT increased enzyme digestibility of treated starches (except waxy corn starch); i.e., rapidly and slowly digestible starches increased, but resistant starch decreased. Although there was no absolute consistency on the data obtained from the three pairs of waxy and normal starches, in most cases the effects of HMT on normal starches were more pronounced than the corresponding waxy starches.     

Enzymatic hydrolysis of granular native and mildly heat-treated tapioca and sweet potato starches at sub-gelatinization temperature

The effect of mild heat treatment (below gelatinization temperature) towards the susceptibility of granular starch to enzymatic hydrolysis was investigated. Tapioca and sweet potato starches were subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis with a mixture of fungal α-amylase and glucoamylase at 35 °C for 24 h. Starches were hydrolyzed in native (granular) state and after heat treatment below gelatinization temperature (60 °C for 30 min). The dextrose equivalent (DE) value of heat-treated starch increased significantly compared to native starch, i.e., 36–50% and 27–34% for tapioca and sweet potato starch, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy examination showed that enzymatic erosion occurred mainly at the surface of starch granules. Hydrolyzed heat-treated starch exhibited rougher surface and porous granules compared to native starch. X-ray analysis suggested that enzymatic erosion preferentially occurred in amorphous areas of the granules. The amylose content, swelling power and solubility showed insignificant increase for both starches. Evidently, heating treatment below gelatinization temperature was effective in enhancing the degree of hydrolysis of granular starch.     

Physicochemical properties of thermal alkaline treated pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) flour

Thermal alkaline treatment, normally used for corn, was applied to pigeonpea grains. Starch granules were isolated using wet milling and alkaline treatments. Effects of the calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)₂] concentration in the range of 0–1% (w/v) on granule structure, crystalline structure, chemical composition, and physicochemical, thermal, and pasting properties of isolated starch granules were determined. Compared to native samples, thermal alkaline treated samples had higher protein, lipid, calcium, and phosphorus contents, but lower starch and amylose contents. Thermal alkaline treatment increased starch granular size and gelatinization temperatures, but decreased relative crystallinity, gelatinization enthalpy, swelling power, solubility, amylose leaching, and the pasting viscosity. Amylose-lipid complexes were not found in thermal alkaline treated flours. As the Ca(OH)₂ concentration increased, the amylose content, relative crystallinity, gelatinization temperature, and enthalpy also increased, but the swelling power, solubility, amylose leaching, and paste viscosity decreased. A higher Ca(OH)₂ concentration produced more stable starch granules that resisted re-gelatinization.     

Glucose Production from Treated Sago Starch Granules by Raw Starch Digesting Amylase from Penicillium brunneum

Several microorganisms have been found to produce raw starch digesting amylase. We have isolated Penicillium brunneum from sago palm tree at a sago processing site, which was used as a source of starch digesting amylase. All the raw starch digesting enzymes were effective for cereal starches, but root starches and sago starch were resistant to the enzyme reaction. Treatment of sago starch by heating to temperature below gelatinization temperature at lower pHs resulted in an increase in the ability of enzyme to digest sago starch granules. Heating to 60°C at pH 2.0 resulted in a conversion rate of sago starch granules to glucose near to the conversion rate of raw corn starch to glucose. At higher concentration, the degree of hydrolysis of treated sago starch granules was about 275% as compared to that of untreated sago starch granules. Addition of the enzyme in large amount or small portion at various time intervals was found effective in the hydrolysis of treated sago starch granules.     

Effect of Sago Starch Addition and Steaming Time on Making Cassava Cracker (Keropok)

This work was aimed at investigating the effects of steaming time and different fractions of sago starch (0, 6, 12, 18 and 24%) in mixtures with cassava starch on the properties of crackers as compared to cassava crackers. In the hydrothermal process, the steaming period was varied from 25 to 120 min. The properties of raw starches, half‐finished crackers (HFC) and puffed crackers (PC) were determined. Raw cassava starch had lower amylose content, smaller granule size, lower gelatinization and lower swelling power than sago starch. The properties of the raw starch mixtures varied according to the mixing proportions. Both sago starch content and steaming time influenced cracker quality, especially its expansion, which was related to the degree of gelatinization (DG). Increasing sago starch content caused decreased DG of HFC and hence decreased cracker expansion. Two groups of HFC were obtained; low DG (55–65%, 25‐45 min steaming time) and high DG (>80%, 60‐120 min steaming time) HFC. Generally the expansion increased as the DG increased – however, a too long steaming period (> 75 min) again reduced expansion, apparently the thinner starch gel allowed collapse of the air cells. No treatment gave complete gelatinization; which could be due to insufficient water for starch to gelatinize.     

Relationship between the structure,physicochemical properties and in vitro digestibility of rice starches with different amylose contents

The in vitro digestibility and molecular and crystalline structures of rice starches (Long-grain, Arborio, Calrose, and Glutinous) differing in amylose content were investigated and the relationship between the structure and in vitro digestibility of starch was studied. Long-grain showed the highest amylose content (27.2%), whereas Glutinous showed the lowest amylose content (4.2%). Long-grain had the highest average amylopectin branch chain length (18.8) and proportion (8.7%) of long branch chains (DP ≥ 37), and the lowest proportion (26.9%) of short branch chains (DP 6–12). Among the non-waxy rice starches (Long-grain, Arborio, and Calrose), Calrose had the lowest average chain length (17.7) and the lowest proportion (7.1%) of long branch chains (DP ≥ 37). The relative crystallinity of rice starch followed the order: Glutinous (33.5%) > Calrose (31.4%) > Arborio (31.0%) > Long-grain (29.9%). Long-grain had the highest gelatinization temperature and the lowest gelatinization temperature range, whereas Glutinous showed the highest gelatinization temperature range and gelatinization enthalpy. Arborio had the highest melting enthalpy for amylose–lipid complex among the tested rice starches. Pasting temperature, setback, and final viscosity increased with increasing amylose content, whereas the peak viscosity and breakdown showed negative correlations with amylose content. The rapidly digestible starch (RDS) content of the tested rice starches followed the order: Glutinous (71.4%) > Calrose (52.2%) > Arborio (48.4%) > Long-grain (39.4%). Contrary to this, the slowly digestible starch (SDS) and resistant starch (RS) contents showed an opposite trend compared to RDS. Digestibility (RDS, SDS, and RS) of the rice starches was significantly correlated (p ≤ 0.05) with amylose content, proportions of DP 6–12 and DP 13–24, relative crystallinity, intensity ratio (of 1047 cm⁻¹ to 1022 cm⁻¹ from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), swelling factor, amylose leaching, onset temperature of gelatinization, gelatinization temperature range, gelatinization enthalpy, pasting temperature, peak viscosity, breakdown, setback, and final viscosity.     

Molecular structure,rheological and thermal characteristics of ozone-oxidized starch

The effects of oxidation by ozone gas on the molecular structure, rheological and thermal properties of starch (corn, sago and tapioca) were investigated. Starch, in dry powder form, was exposed to ozone for 10 min at different ozone generation times (OGTs). Average molecular weight decreased in oxidized corn and sago starches but increased in oxidized tapioca starch. All oxidized starches exhibited non-Newtonian shear-thinning behaviour. Starch viscosity decreased drastically with increasing OGT. Young’s modulus for all oxidized corn and sago starch gels stored for 1 and 7 days at 4 °C increased significantly compared to unmodified starch. No differences were noted in gelatinization temperatures and gelatinization enthalpies of all oxidized starches compared to unmodified starch. Retrogradation enthalpy increased markedly in corn starch after 1 min OGT. These results show that the extent of starch oxidation varies among starches of different botanical origins under similar ozone treatment conditions.     

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.     

Mechanism of Hydrolysis of the Treated Sago Starch Granules by Raw Starch Digesting Amylase from Penicillium brunneum

We have prepared raw starch digesting amylase from Penicillium brunneum, which is similar to other raw starch digesting enzymes, and is effective in hydrolyzing raw cereal starches, but not effective for raw sago starch and raw root starches. Treatment of sago starch granules before incubation with the enzyme by heating to below gelatinization temperature at low pH condition was effective in improving the hydrolysis. Observation by scanning electron microscope showed that structure of treated sago starch granules at 60°C pH 2.0 for 2h was not changed. Observation under polarized light showed the birefringence clearly was preserved. However, viscosity of treated sago starch granules decreased. After incubation with the enzyme, untreated starch granules corroded and several holes were seen on the surface of granule. Enzyme action on the treated starch granules resulted in much higher intensity of degradation and the holes deepened into the interior of granules. Analysis of the product of this process showed that mainly glucose was produced from the hydrolysis of treated or untreated sago starch granules by crude enzyme. But on gelatinized sago starch other types of sugars were formed during enzyme reaction.     

Effects of L-Cysteine on some characteristics of wheat starch

In this study the effects of L-Cysteine as a food additive on wheat starch characteristics before and after gelatinization were studied. L-Cysteine (63 mg/kg, starch basis) was added to slurry of wheat starch in water (30%, w/w). One set of samples was prepared by mixing it at 40 °C for 45 min. Another set was gelatinized at 100 °C for 45 min. The scanning electro-micrographs of the samples prepared at 40 °C in the presence of L-Cysteine showed some spots on the granules. However, thermal properties, X-ray patterns and the degree of crystallinity of the samples did not obviously change (P > 0.05); while a reduction in intrinsic viscosity, peak and final viscosities of the samples was observed. After gelatinization, intrinsic, peak and final viscosities of the samples were reduced. Some of these changes may indicate degradation of starch molecules in the presence of L-Cysteine, particularly after gelatinization.     

Effects of cross-linking and low molecular amylose on pasting characteristics of waxy corn starch

The action of amylose within the granule of normal corn starch is investigated by changes in pasting characteristics of waxy corn starch in a Rapid Visco Analyzer (RVA), using addition of soluble amylose (DP = 18) and cross-linking with epichlorohydrin. Although waxy corn starch, containing no amylose, did not show an effect of addition of amylose on pasting characteristics, by cross-linking with epichlorohydrin, the pasting peak viscosity and breakdown were greatly enhanced and set-back (viscosity increased in the cooling process after gelatinization) was generated. The cross-linking depressed the disintegration of starch granules in the swelling process, with amylose interaction, resulting in RVA pasting characteristics similar to those seen with normal corn starch containing amylose. Set-back was essentially caused by rearrangement among modified amylopectins. Addition of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) to the RVA more efficiently enhanced the effect. This indicated that amylose in normal corn starch interacts with amylopectin through locally strong linkages.     

Effect of Pullulanase Debranching of Sago (Metroxylon sagu) Starch at Subgelatinization Temperature on the Yield of Resistant Starch

The effects of pullulanase debranching of sago (Metroxylon sagu) starch in the granular state and subsequent physical treatments on the formation and yield of type III resistant starch (RS 3) have been investigated. Sago starch was enzymatically debranched with pullulanase at 60°C and at pH 5.0 using different enzyme concentrations (24, 30, 40, 50 PUN/g dry starch) which was added to 20% (w/v) starch slurry and incubated for 0 to 48 h. Optimum enzyme concentration of 40 PUN/g dry starch and three debranching times (8, 16 and 24 h) have been selected for subsequent preparation of RS. Granule morphology and molecular weight distribution (MWD) of the debranched and resistant starch were examined. Debranched starch samples showed blurred birefringence patterns, a decrease in amylopectin fraction, an increase in low molecular weight fraction and a broadening of MWD. Debranched starch samples with a maximum RS yield of 7% were obtained at 8 h debranching time. Temperature cycling and incubation at certain temperature and storage time enhanced the formation of RS. Under the conditions used in this study, the optimum conditions to obtain the highest RS yield (11.6%) were 8 h of debranching time, followed by incubation at 80°C for seven days. The MWD analysis showed that RS consisted of material with relatively low degree of polymerization. This study showed that pullulanase treatment of starch in the granular state resulted in limited debranching of amylopectin but the subsequent physical treatments (incubation time/temperature) can be manipulated to promote crystallization and enhance formation of RS 3.     

Physicochemical characterization of mung bean starch

Starch from mung bean (Vigna radiata) was isolated and some of the important characteristics determined. The yield of starch was 31.1% on a whole-seed basis. The shape of the starch granule was oval to round to bean shaped, with granules 7–26 μm in diameter. Scanning electron micrographs revealed the presence of smooth surfaces. The gelatinization temperature range was 58–67–82°C and the enthalpy of gelatinization was 18.5 J/g. The total amylose content was 45.3%, of which 12.1% was complexed by native lipids. The X-ray diffraction pattern was of the ‘C’ type and the X-ray intensities were much stronger than in other legume starches. The starch exhibited a high swelling factor ( 43.6 at 95°C) in water. The viscoamylographic examination of the starch paste (6% w/v) showed the absence of a peak viscosity, a low 95°C viscosity [200 Brabender units (BU)], an increase in consistency ( 140 BU) during the holding cycle at 95°C and a set-back of 220 BU. Native granules were readily hydrolyzed by porcine pancreatic α-amylase (76.4% in 72 h). Retrogradation of mung bean starch (as measured by changes in syneresis, gel strength, enthalpy and X-ray diffraction intensities) appeared to be more severe than in other legume starches.     

Experimental design to optimization of beta cyclodextrin production from ungelatinized sago starch

The aim of this study is to produce beta cyclodextrin (β-CD) from ungelatinized, but annealed (65 °C) sago starch using cyclodextrin glucosyltransferase (CGTase). The optimization processes were conducted at three stages using Response Surface Methodology. Preliminary data have shown that the three (3) highest points for each of the studied parameters were pH, concentration of sago starch and enzyme, and also agitation. In the second stage, two level full factorial design (2ⁿ FFD) was applied to determine the significant parameters affecting the production of β-cyclodextrin. Statistical analyses showed that pH, enzyme and sago starch concentration were the significant parameters. The final stage of optimization involved the use of Central Composite Design to determine and predict the optimum yield of β-cyclodextrin. The optimum condition for production cyclodextrin was at pH 8.62 (Glycine–NaOH buffer 0.05 M), 0.65% v/v sago starch and 15% w/v enzyme concentration, where 8.43 g β-cyclodextrin/L was produced after 4 h of reaction.     

Physicochemical properties and amylopectin chain profiles of cowpea,chickpea and yellow pea starches

Starches from cowpea and chickpea seeds were isolated and their properties were compared with those of commercial yellow pea starch. Amylose contents were 25.8%, 27.2%, and 31.2%, and the volume mean diameter of granules, determined in the dry state, were 15.5, 17.9, and 33.8 μm for cowpea, chickpea and yellow pea starches, respectively. All three legume starches showed a C-type X-ray diffraction pattern and two-stage swelling pattern. Amylopectin populations were isolated and the unit chain profiles were analyzed by HPLC after debranching with pullulanase. The degree of polymerization (DP) of short chain populations was about 6–50 and the populations of long chain had a DP of 50–80. Cowpea showed a lower weight ratio of short:long chains than chickpea and yellow pea starches. The larger portion of long side chains in cowpea amylopectin can be correlated with a higher gelatinization temperature, greater pasting peak and a slight difference in crystalline structure found for cowpea starch. Chickpea and yellow pea starches exhibited similarity in unit chain profile of amylopectin as well as in gelatinization temperature and pasting profile, while they differed in amylose content, particle size and syneresis. It is assumed that the chain length distribution of amylopectin has a large influence on starch properties.     

Physicochemical,thermal, and rheological properties of acid-hydrolyzed sago (Metroxylon sagu) starch

The effects of acid hydrolysis on physicochemical and rheological properties of sago starch were investigated. Sago starch was hydrolyzed in hydrochloric acid at 50 °C for 6, 12, 18, and 24 h. The molecular weight distribution, physicochemical, thermal, and rheological properties of acid-hydrolyzed sago starch (AHS) were determined. After 24 h of hydrolysis, molecular weight of amylopectin and amylose were decreased to 3.57 × 10⁵ and 6.5 × 10⁴ g/mol, respectively. Differential scanning calorimetry studies showed that the gelatinization temperature and enthalpy of AHS increased with increasing degree of hydrolysis. Hydrolyzed sago starch containing low molecular weight fractions exhibited cold water solubility up to 100%. Setting temperature of AHS decreased with increasing hydrolysis time but amylose content and gel strength increased in the first 12 h of acid hydrolysis but decreased with extended hydrolysis time. Hydrolyzed sago starch in concentrations lower than 8 g starch per 100 g water was cold water soluble and could be used to modify properties of starch for specific applications such as yogurt and concentrated milk processing.     

Structure and physicochemical properties of palmyrah (Borassus flabellifer L.) seed-shoot starch grown in Sri Lanka

Starch from palmyrah (Borassus flabellifer L.) seed-shoot flour was isolated and its composition, morphology, structure and physicochemical properties were determined. The yield of starch was 38.4% on a whole flour basis. The shape of the granule ranged from round to elliptical. Bound lipid, total lipid, apparent amylose, total amylose and resistant starch contents were 0.03%, 0.04%, 30.9%, 32.7% and 32.2%, respectively. The X-ray pattern was of the A-type and relative crystallinity was 34.1%. Palmyrah starch exhibited a high proportion (31.8%) of short amylopectin chains (DP 6–12) and a low proportion (1.2%) of long amylopectin chains (DP > 36). Gelatinization temperatures were 73.1–82.0 °C and enthalpy of gelatinization was 13.6 J/g. Pasting temperature, viscosity breakdown and set-back were 76.5 °C, 147 and 74 BU, respectively. Palmyrah starch exhibited high granular swelling, and restricted amylose leaching. Susceptibility towards in vitro α-amylolysis and retrogradation was low. The results showed that physicochemical properties of palmyrah starch were largely influenced by strong interactions between amylose–amylose and/or amylose–amylopectin chains within the granule interior.     

Effects of some anionic polysaccharides on the gelatinization and retrogradation behaviors of wheat starch: Soybean-soluble polysaccharide and gum arabic

Gelatinization and retrogradation behaviors of wheat starch were investigated in an aqueous system in the presence or absence of some anionic polysaccharides, soybean-soluble polysaccharide (SSPS), and gum arabic (GA). Weight-average molecular weight was almost equivalent between SSPS and GA, while z-average root-mean-square radius of gyration of GA was ca. twice as large as that of SSPS. The addition of each polysaccharide (0.1–1 w/v%) decreased the peak viscosity of the composite system (starch concentration: 5% or 13%) during gelatinization, and this effect of SSPS was greater than that of GA at the higher starch concentration. It also shifted the onset of viscosity increase to lower temperatures at the higher starch concentration, but no difference was seen in this effect between SSPS and GA. The addition of each polysaccharide (0.1–1%) decreased the amount of amylose leached during gelatinization, and this effect of SSPS was generally greater than that of GA. It hardly altered, on the other hand, the average particle diameter of the starch granules after gelatinization. “Starch ghosts” were less frequently observed microscopically in the presence of each polysaccharide, which appeared to exist around the surface of the starch granules to inhibit amylose leaching. The addition of each polysaccharide (0.5%) increased the rate constants, representing short-term (24 h) retrogradation of starch (5%). It also decreased the saturated dynamic storage modulus of the composite system after storage at 4 °C for 24 h, and this effect of SSPS was greater than that of GA with larger amount of syneresis generated. The results were discussed mainly in relation to the phase arrangement between starch components and each polysaccharide.     

Physicochemical characterization of chemically modified corn starches related to rheological behavior,retrogradation and film forming capacity

An integral approach of chemical modification effects on physicochemical and functional properties of corn starch was performed using different and complementary techniques. Acetylated, acetylated crosslinked, hydroxypropylated crosslinked, and acid modified corn starches were analyzed. Substitution and dual modification reduced significantly amylose concentration. Chemical modification decreased granules crystallinity degree. A significant increase in swelling power was observed in substituted and dual modified starches at 90 °C, besides these treatments decreased gelatinization temperature and enthalpy. Acid modified starch pastes showed a Newtonian behavior while substituted and dual modified ones exhibited a viscoelastic response. Dynamic rheological properties of modified starch pastes were not affected by post gelatinization time while native starch pastes developed a more rigid structure during storage. Retrogradation of substituted starch pastes after 12 days at 4 °C was reduced, since syneresis degree and hardness increase were significantly lower than those of native pastes. It was demonstrated that only substituted and native starches exhibited film forming capacity.