One Pot Cooking of Rice Grains for Preparation of Rice-Gel Samples Using a Small-Scale Viscosity Analyzer: Small-scale Rice-gel Preparation from Grains

Rice-gel prepared by the following three steps: rice grain cooking, shearing of the cooked rice, and cooling for gel formation, is expected as a novel food ingredient for modification of various food products such as bread and noodles. To meet the demand for high-throughput systems for research and developments on the new rice gels, herein we established a mini-cooking system for preparation of rice gel samples from grains using a small-scale viscosity analyzer (Rapid Visco Analyzer; RVA). Polished rice grains (4 g) were cooked with 22 mL of water in a canister, and the paddle equipped in the canister was rotated at 2,000 rpm for 30 min (80 °C was used as a representative) to shear the cooked rice. The sheared paste was cooled to 10 °C at 160 rpm, and the initial gelation property was evaluated by viscosity analysis within the RVA. Alternatively, the sheared paste was transferred to an acrylic mold and kept at 4 °C for 0, 1, 3, and 5 days for determination of the hardness with a compression test. Compressive forces required to penetrate 20 % thickness for three tested rice cultivars were measured, and the trend of the value shifts during preservation is similar to the corresponding trend obtained in 300-g grain scale laboratory tests, whereas the individual values were halved in the former. This small cooking method could offer a useful assay system for a rapid evaluation in the breeding programs and in the high-throughput screening of additives for the modification of properties.     

Physicochemical Properties of Starches from Different Lotus Cultivars in Japan: Shinashirobana cultivar and Kanasumi-line No. 20

Abstract: We investigated the physicochemical properties of starches from rhizomes of two lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) cultivars, Shinashirobana cultivar and Kanasumi-line No. 20, harvested at the same farm in Japan. A rapid visco analyser analysis indicated that pasting temperatures of the starches from Shinashirobana cultivar and Kanasumi-line No. 20 were 62.1 and 66.5 °C, respectively, and the peak viscosities of the starch of both lotuses were similar 244 and 240 RVU, respectively. The starch from the Kanasumi-line No. 20 at 60 °C had low viscosity, 16.2 mPa∙s, but the starch from Shinashirobana cultivar had higher viscosity, 2,720 mPa∙s, at 60 °C. The onset and peak temperatures of the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curve of the starch from Shinashirobana cultivar were 4–5 °C lower than those of the starch from Kanasumi-line No. 20, although both exhibited similar ΔH values (13.4 and 11.6 J/g). The distribution patterns of the branched chain lengths of amylopectin in the two starches indicated that the rate of low-degree of polymerization (DP 5–12) of all branched chains was higher for the starch from Shinashirobana cultivar than that for the starch from Kanasumi-line No. 20. These results suggest that the increased rate of DP 5−12 in the starch from Shinashirobana cultivar is related to the higher viscosity of the starch.     

Iron-fortified parboiled rice – A novel solution to high iron density in rice-based diets

The present study pioneered an investigation of a novel and cost-effective approach to fortify Fe in rice and to greatly improve Fe nutrition in rice-based diets through parboiling, though it remains at its preliminary phase. Rice grains of seven cultivars were parboiled in deionised water containing different levels of Fe chelate made by mixing different proportions of Fe sulfate (FeSO₄) with ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid disodium salt (Na₂EDTA). Adding Fe to the parboiling water resulted in an increased Fe concentration in the most grain, effectively where FeSO₄ and Na₂EDTA were mixed at 2:1 molar ratio (11.16 g Fe per 100 g raw paddy grain). This treatment resulted in Fe concentrations in white rice milled for 60 s and 120 s, which were 20–50 times higher than those in the unfortified milled raw rice grains. The Fe concentrations in milled rice grains were 50–150 mg Fe kg⁻¹ in 60 s milled grains with a slight reduction in 120 s milled grains. Perls Prussian blue staining of the cross section of Fe-fortified parboiled rice grains suggested inward movement of added Fe into the endosperm through the apoplastic pathway in the dorsal region of the rice grain. The retention rates of fortified Fe varied among the different cultivars, possibly due to different physical–chemical properties of the grains. The percentages of soluble fraction of the total Fe were higher than 50% in all cultivars tested, indicating its high bioavailability potential, though it remains to be evaluated. The present findings provided a preliminary basis for further investigation of this innovative technique, before its adoption by parboiled rice industry, such as optimising the levels of Fe addition and industrial process and Fe bioavailability in Fe-fortified-parboiled rice.     

浙江与日本粳稻品种品质的比较

对2个浙江晚粳优质米品种（秀水11和秀水63）和日本品种（越光和日本晴）进行品质比较.结果表明,2个浙江品种的平均垩白粒率（28.85%）、平均垩白度（6.0%）分别是日本品种均值的约3倍和约6倍;平均直链淀粉含量（17.65%）较日本品种高约2%,差异达显著水平.蒸煮试验表明,2个浙江品种蒸煮品质除饭香味相仿外,其余蒸煮指标显著不及相应蒸煮处理的日本品种,其先浸后蒸处理的蒸煮品质优于现淘现蒸处理的日本晴,与越光相仿.越光籽粒外观品质明显不及日本晴,而蒸煮品质明显优于日本晴,说明理化分析指标与食味品质具有不一致性.因此晚粳稻品质育种及稻米品质鉴定应当在评价稻米理化分析指标的基础上,注重对食味品质的评价.     

Influences of extrusion parameters on physicochemical properties of textured vegetable proteins and its meatless burger patty

Isolated soy protein, wheat gluten, and starch at ratio 5:4:1 were texturized under different moisture contents (40 and 50%) and die temperature (130 and 150 °C) by the twin-screw extruder. Physicochemical properties were firstly studied. These textured vegetable proteins (TVPs) were used to form 100% plant-based burger patties. Cooking and textural features were secondly investigated. TVP at 50% moisture content and 130 °C die temperature represented the highest water absorption capacity and integrity index but the lowest solubility among TVPs. Cooking loss and shrinkage in diameter and thickness, cohesiveness, chewiness, hardness, and cutting strength of TVP meatless burger patties were significantly lower than that commercial meat patty, while moisture retention and springiness of TVP meatless burger patties were higher (p < 0.05). Our results found that the texture of patty made with TVP at 50% moisture content and 130 °C die temperature was the most similarity to commercial meat patty.     

粳稻品种新米和储藏米品质性状的比较研究

本文以常温下储藏8个月的7个粳稻品种糙米和相应的新米为研究材料，比较分析了加工和营养品质、稻米淀粉粘滞特性（Viscosity）、食味品质、游离脂肪酸含量及米饭质地的动态粘弹性（Dynamic viscoelas-ticities）。结果表明：短期储藏对粳稻直链淀粉、蛋白质含量和加工品质没有明显影响；储藏米食味普遍比其相应的新米要差，但新米食味好的品种其储藏米也相对较优，储藏米的综合食味评价值与新米一样和米饭外观、滋味、粘性有很高的正相关；粘度谱的衰减值和峰值粘度有所上升；米饭质地的粘弹性和动态损失正切值（Loss tangent）分别比新米上升21．47％和下降26．76％；粳稻储蓄米游离脂肪酸含量的增加是导致食味变差的主要原因，这在食味相对较差的品种中尤为明显。通过米饭质地动态粘弹性和游离脂肪酸含量的测定可以评价储藏米的食味特性。     

Physical properties of parboiled wheat and bulgur produced using spouted bed and microwave assisted spouted bed drying

The main objective of this study was to compare the spouted bed and microwave assisted spouted bed drying on affecting physical properties of parboiled wheat and bulgur. Drying was performed at different temperatures (50 °C, 70 °C, 90 °C) and microwave powers (288 W, 624 W). Bulk and apparent density, bulk and apparent porosity, sphericity, color, microstructure and pore size distribution of parboiled wheat were investigated after drying. Yield and water absorption capacity were determined in bulgur samples. The effect of air temperature on physical properties of product except color was not significant in spouted bed drying. More porous structure was observed in wheat samples dried in microwave assisted spouted bed compared to air dried ones. Sphericity and bulk density were higher when high temperature was combined with high microwave power. In microwave assisted spouted bed drying, similar yield value but lower water absorption capacity of bulgur were observed as compared to spouted bed drying.     

Novel inactivation methods of Doenjang (fermented soybean paste) by high pressure and ohmic heating

The changes of the total cell number in doenjang (Korean traditional fermented soybean paste) by conventional conduction heating, high pressure non-thermal treatment, and ohmic heating were compared. A total of (10¹–10²) CFU/g cells were decreased by heating at (100–105) °C for 10 min. The inactivation rate was improved when heated to a temperature higher than 110 °C, but the taste, color of doenjang were severely changed. Inactivation by high pressure at (200–800) MPa was not achieved, because the total cell did not reach a reduction of 10¹ CFU/g. The total bacterial counts of 10³ CFU/g were decreased during ohmic heating at 15 V and 60 Hz for 10 min, and showed the most effective inactivation. Therefore, application of the ohmic heating in doenjang with high viscosity can kill target microorganisms related to quality deterioration, and rapid and uniform ohmic heating leads to reduction in sensory quality damage.     

Recovery of hesperidin and narirutin from waste Citrus unshiu peel using subcritical water extraction aided by pulsed electric field treatment

The objective of this study was to identify whether the efficacy of extracting hesperidin and narirutin from Citrus unshiu peel by-products can be increased by combining pulsed electric field (PEF) and subcritical water extraction (SWE). The samples were treated with a PEF at a strength of 3 kV/cm for 60 and 120 s. Subsequent SWE was conducted at extraction temperatures of 110–190 °C for 3–15 min. The concentration of hesperidin was highest at 46.96 ± 3.37 mg/g peel (dry basis) after PEF treatment at 120 s, combined with SWE at 150 °C for 15 min, while that of narirutin peaked at 8.76 ± 0.83 mg/g after PEF treatment at 120 s, integrated with SWE at 190 °C for 5 min. The concentrations of both hesperidin and narirutin increased with PEF treatment time. The PEF increased the amounts of hesperidin and narirutin extracted by 22.1% and 33.6%, respectively. This study demonstrate the potential of PEF pretreatment for enhancing the SWE of flavonoids from C. unshiu peel.     

Characterization of gluten-free rice bread prepared using a combination of potato tuber and ramie leaf enzymes

A combination of freeze-dried powder of disproportionating enzyme (D-enzyme)-containing potato tuber and β-amylase-containing ramie leaf was used to improve the gluten-free (GF) bread, and its physicochemical properties were characterized. The presence of D-enzyme and β amylase in the potato tuber and ramie leaf was confirmed. Sixty five percent of partially gelatinized rice flour and 20% corn starch was combined with 10% freeze-dried potato tuber and 1% ramie leaf powder, and baked. The specific volume increased by 23% compared to the control with improved internal characteristics. Texture profile analysis revealed that retrogradation of the bread was retarded when stored for 90 h at 4 °C. The bread crumb amylose content was reduced from 14 to 9% and amylopectin branch chain-length distribution was rearranged, whereby the proportions of the branch chains with Degree of polymerization (DP) < 9 and DP > 19 decreased. The results suggest that D-enzyme and β-amylase cooperatively altered amylose/amylopectin ratio and amylopectin structure.     

Comparative 3D simulation on water absorption and hygroscopic swelling in japonica rice grains under various isothermal soaking conditions

Cracking in rice grains caused by moisture absorption is a major concern among food processors because it has a detrimental effect on the texture. This paper aimed to simulate moisture diffusion three dimensionally (3D) using Fick's diffusion equation, compare the results with an empirical model (Peleg's equation), and simulate in 3D the hygroscopic swelling in rice during soaking at 25, 35, 45 and 55 °C. This study intends to provide preparatory information in understanding the cracking mechanism during soaking. The concept was based on finite element analysis to evaluate both the moisture diffusion and hygroscopic expansion coefficients of milled rice using the reconstructed 3D model of rice geometry. The proposed model was satisfactory for describing the moisture absorption kinetics with root mean square error (RMSE), that ranged from 0.66 to 2.52% dry basis. The results of the 3D simulation of hygroscopic swelling were found to be adequate in representing the swelling characteristics of rice. Analysis of 3D simulation enabled both quantitative and qualitative assessment of the changes in the amount, distribution of moisture, and expansion in the geometry of rice grains.     

Thermal decomposition and oxidation of β-caryophyllene in black pepper during subcritical water extraction

Subcritical water extraction is an efficient technique for extracting components from various plants by changing the polarity of water. β-caryophyllene is a natural bicyclic sesquiterpene with the highest content found among black pepper essential oils. In this study, the efficiency of extraction and yield of β-caryophyllene from black pepper were investigated using a subcritical water extraction technique. The optimal conditions of β-caryophyllene (1.19 ± 0.38 mg/g), and caryophyllene oxide (0.82 ± 0.38 mg/g) were obtained from black pepper under extraction conditions of 170 °C/10 min, and 200 °C/15 min, respectively. As the extraction temperature was increased, β-caryophyllene oxidation proceeded and the extraction content of caryophyllene oxide increased. It is anticipated that both β-caryophyllene and caryophyllene oxide with high biological activity can be used to selectively extract compounds using subcritical water extraction, which will be helpful in industrial applications.     

Differences in Hollow Volumes in Cooked Rice Grains with Various Amylose Contents as Determined by NMR Micro Imaging

The presence of hollows in cooked rice grains found before in the cultivar Koshihikari was confirmed for 4 more cultivars with various amylose contents. The size, shape, and total volume of hollows differed between cultivars. Hollow volumes increased with grain volume and length before 100 °C was reached, but subsequently decreased during prolonged boiling. The previously proposed mechanism, describing sealing by gelatinized starch of cracks formed during soaking, seemed accurate for all 5 cultivars. Based on the hypothetical model of their formation, a relationship between amylose content and hollow formation was assumed. However, no correlation existed between final hollow volume and shape on 1 side and individual parameters such as flour gelatinization and amylose content on the other side.     

Starch of diverse Mexican rice cultivars: physicochemical,structural, and nutritional features

Structure‐function relationship of rice starch is scarce in the literature. Starch was isolated from diverse Mexican rice varieties and their swelling power (SP), soluble solids (ss), thermal and pasting properties, XRD pattern, in vitro starch digestibility, and AP chain‐length distribution were evaluated. Rice starches with low SP at 60°C had higher temperature and enthalpy of gelatinization. The peak viscosity of rice starches ranged between 2426 and 3519 cP, and the samples presented high values for setback due to the AM content. Rice starches presented the typical A‐type XRD pattern with crystallinity values between 32.7 and 36.3%. Rice starches presented high amounts of short chains (A and B1), and differences were found among the cultivars. AM content for rice starches ranged between 18.4 and 22.9%, and the main fraction recorded by HPSEC was the Fraction III (short chains) with values around 60%. The uncooked rice starch samples presented high values of slowly digestible starch (SDS) and rapidly digestible starch (RDS), and differences were found among the cultivars. In cooked samples decreased SDS and increased RDS and RS. Onset temperature and enthalpy of gelatinization were correlated with the percentage of A‐chains and an opposite pattern was found with the percentage of B1 chains. AP structural characteristics affect the functional, physicochemical, and digestibility properties of rice starches.     

A Novel α-Glucosidase of the Glycoside Hydrolase Family 31 from Aspergillus sojae

We characterized an α-glucosidase belonging to the glycoside hydrolase family 31 from Aspergillus sojae. The α-glucosidase gene was cloned using the whole genome sequence of A. sojae, and the recombinant enzyme was expressed in Aspergillus nidulans. The enzyme was purified using affinity chromatography. The enzyme showed an optimum pH of 5.5 and was stable between pH 6.0 and 10.0. The optimum temperature was approximately 55 °C. The enzyme was stable up to 50 °C, but lost its activity at 70 °C. The enzyme acted on a broad range of maltooligosaccharides and isomaltooligosaccharides, soluble starch, and dextran, and released glucose from these substrates. When maltose was used as substrate, the enzyme catalyzed transglucosylation to produce oligosaccharides consisting of α-1,6-glucosidic linkages as the major products. The transglucosylation pattern with maltopentaose was also analyzed, indicating that the enzyme mainly produced oligosaccharides with molecular weights higher than that of maltopentaose and containing continuous α-1,6-glucosidic linkages. These results demonstrate that the enzyme is a novel α-glucosidase that acts on both maltooligosaccharides and isomaltooligosaccharides, and efficiently produces oligosaccharides containing continuous α-1,6-glucosidic linkages.     

AN APPLICATION OF IMAGE ANALYSIS FOR THE STUDY OF KINETICS OF HYDRATION OF MILLED RICE IN HOT WATER

Two dimensional image analysis was carried out on basmati rice to determine the hot water hydration kinetics. A miniature water bath (105 × 55 × 15 mm) was fabricated to process the rice grains under the CCD camera and on-line images were obtained at regular intervals of the hot water hydration process at four temperatures from 60 to 75°C. Two-dimensional projected area of rice grains was converted into swelling ratios for suitability of comparison of the swelling at different temperatures. The reaction rate constant and the activation energy for the hot water hydration were obtained from the swelling data. The activation energy was 38.213 kJ/mole and was comparable with other processes reported in the literature. The hydration data was further analysed to obtain a polynomial equation to correlate swelling ratios in terms of heating time and temperature. This study helps in obtaining the swelling parameter of rice during cooking to be used in the design of continuous cookers.     

Genotypic diversity in physico-chemical,pasting and gel textural properties of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Twenty chickpea cultivars were evaluated for genetic diversity in seeds (physical, hydration and cooking), flours (composition, pasting and gel textural) and starch (swelling, thermal, amylose content and amylopectin structure) properties. Frequency distribution and principal component analysis revealed significant differences among the cultivars studied. Pasting temperature, peak viscosity, breakdown, final viscosity and setback of flours ranged from 75.0 to 87.1 °C, 564 to 853 cP, 32 to 123 cP, 573 to 969 cP, and 84 to 185 cP, respectively. Amylose content of starch ranged from 28.26% to 52.82%. Amylopectin unit chains of DP 6–12, 13–18, 19–24 and 25–30 ranged from 36.2% to 43.25%, 36.44% to 38.68%, 14.86% to 18.22% and 4.95% to 6.9%, respectively. To establish the relationships between different properties Pearson correlation coefficients (r) were computed. Cluster analysis for grain and flour characteristics was also done to see the association between chickpea cultivars.     

Properties and qualities of rice flours and gluten-free cupcakes made with higher-yield rice varieties in Korea

Korean rice varieties, ‘Druryechanbyeo’ and ‘Boramchanbyeo’, were developed to get higher yields and to be used in rice products. The rice grains were dried and milled into rice flours after first going through the soaking process. The properties and qualities of cupcakes made with dry-milled rice flours were compared with cupcakes made with commercial dry-milled rice flours (CDRF). The newly developed rice flours (NDRF) had higher apparent amylose content, water binding capacity, swelling power, and peak viscosities, but had lower damaged-starch content, gelatinization temperature, and final and setback viscosities than CDRF. The specific gravity of batter, and hardness and springiness of cupcakes were lower in NDRF than in CDRF. The cake textures from ‘Boramchan’ NDRF were more preferable than those from ‘Druyechan’ NDRF. The specific volume and overall quality of cupcake were correlated positively with amylose content and water binding capacity, but negatively with damaged starch of rice flours.     

Effect of pre-steaming on production of partially-parboiled rice using hot-air fluidization technique

Fluidization technique was widely used to dry agriculture products because of its effectiveness in drying. To produce partial-parboiled rice using hot-air fluidization technique has been received increasing attention due to simplicity of operation. Thus, the purpose of this work was to investigate the effects of pre-steaming time and drying temperatures on qualities of partial-parboiled rice. The results revealed that head rice yield, pasting temperature and degree of gelatinization increased with an increase in pre-steaming time whereas white belly decreased. The percentage of water uptake of pre-steamed rice decreased with an increase in drying temperature while the percentage of solid loss and stickiness were not affected. The hardness of pre-steamed rice was higher than that of reference rice and it increased with an increase in drying temperature. To obtain the suitable conditions for producing partially-parboiled rice using hot-air fluidization technique, paddy was soaked at temperature of 80 °C for 5 h and then it was blown with saturated steam temperature of 102 °C for 70 s (pre-steaming). After that it was dried using fluidization technique at hot-air temperature of 140 °C for 2 min and then it was tempered for 30 min; furthermore, it was ventilated at ambient air temperature until the final moisture content was approximately 14–16% d.b.     

Internal Hollows in Cooked Rice Grains (Oryza sativa cv. Koshihikari) Observed by NMR Micro Imaging

Nondestructive analysis of water distribution and structural changes in cooked rice grains, Oryza sativa cv Koshihikari, was performed with Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Micro imaging of protons (¹H). Using a specially designed holder, high quality images of cooked rice grains were obtained, even when up to 10 grains were studied simultaneously. Internal hollows were observed in all examined cooked rice grains, and we propose a mechanism to explain their formation. The origin of these hollows was hypothesized to be cracks or fissures, and hollows resulted from sealing of such lacerations by gelatinized starch in the peripheral layer in combination with expansion of the grain during cooking.