Selected functional properties of waxy corn and potato starches after illumination with linearly polarised visible light

Aqueous suspensions (30%) of waxy corn and potato starches were illuminated for 5–50 h with linearly polarised visible light (λ > 500 nm). Molecular weights (M?_w) and radii of gyration (R?_g) of the amylopectin and amylose fractions of illuminated waxy corn starch, and the amylopectin, intermediate, and amylose fractions of illuminated potato starch were measured by high‐performance size exclusion chromatography coupled with multiangle laser light scattering and refractive index detection. The weight‐average molecular weight (M?_w) and radius of gyration (R?_g) of the amylopectin fraction of native waxy corn starch were 14.45 × 10⁷ and 161.1 nm respectively. After 15 h of illumination a decrease in M?_w (5.80 × 10⁷) and R?_g (117.6 nm) was observed. Illumination for 25 h, led to an increase in M?_w (7.60 × 10⁷) and R?_g (134.0 nm). Further illumination, up to 50 h resulted in a slight decrease in M?_w (6.74 × 10⁷). The molecular weight and radius of gyration of the amylopectin fraction of native potato starch were 21.30 × 10⁷ and 207 nm respectively. Illumination for 15 h led to a decrease in M?_w (14.87 × 10⁷) and R?_g (141.5 nm), followed by an increase in both values after 25 h (18.97 × 10⁷, 146.6 nm) and 50 h (19.69 × 10⁷, 207.1 nm) of illumination. Illumination influenced the swelling power, solubility, susceptibility to α‐amylolysis and X‐ray diffractogram of the starches. A varying increase in the solubility passed through a minimum after 25 h of illumination. The X‐ray diffraction pattern and susceptibility to enzymatic hydrolysis of waxy corn starch did not change, but in potato starch a gradual, illumination time‐dependent increase in the amylolysis rate took place. This effect could result from the reduction in crystallinity of the starch as indicated by the X‐ray diffraction pattern. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Rice Starch Molecular Size and its Relationship with Amylose Content

The composition and starch molecular structure of eight rice varieties were studied. Waxy and non‐waxy (long‐, medium‐, and short‐grain) rice varieties from California and Texas were used. The amylose contents were measured using the Concanavalin A method and were found to be related to the type of rice: waxy ≈ 1.0%, short and medium grain 8.7–15.4%, and long grain 17.1–19.9%. The weight‐average molar masses (M_w) of the starches varied from 0.52 to 1.96×10⁸ g/mol. As would be expected, a higher M_w of rice starch correlated to lower amylose content. The range of M_w of amylopectin was 0.82 to 2.50 ×10⁸ g/mol, and there was also a negative correlation of amylopectin M_w with amylose content. Amylose M_w ranged from 2.20 to 8.31×10⁵ g/mol. After debranching the amylopectin with isoamylase, the weight‐average degree of polymerization (DP_w) for the long‐chain fraction correlated positively with a higher amylose content. California and Texas varieties were significantly different in their amylose content, starch M_w (short‐ and medium‐grain only), and amylopectin M_w (p < 0.05).     

Structural characteristics and in vitro digestibility of Mango kernel starches (Mangifera indica L.)

Structural characteristics and digestibility of starches isolated from the kernels of two mango cultivars (Chausa and Kuppi) were studied and compared with those of a commercial normal corn starch. Mango kernel starches showed an A-type X-ray diffraction pattern, with relative crystallinities of 35.4% and 38.3%, respectively for Kuppi and Chausa cultivars. The structural characterisation obtained, using high performance size exclusion column chromatography connected to multi-angle laser light scattering and refractive index detectors (HPSEC-MALLS-RI), revealed that the mango kernel starches had lower molecular weight (M_w) and radius of gyration (R_g) of amylopectin and amylose compared to those of corn starch. The M_w of amylopectin for Chausa and Kuppi starches were 179 × 10⁶ and 140 × 10⁶ g/mol, respectively. The amounts of readily digestible starch (RDS) and slowly digestible starch (SDS) were lower for mango kernel starch than those of corn starch. Resistant starch (RS) contents in the mango kernel starches (75.6% and 80.0%, respectively) were substantially higher than those of corn starch (27.3%). The glycemic index (GI) values for mango kernel starches were 48.8 and 50.9 (for Chausa and Kuppi, respectively), whereas that of corn starch was 74.8, indicating that the mango kernel starch granules were highly resistant to digestion with significant contents of RS.     

Molecular structure and physicochemical properties of Hylon V and Hylon VII starches illuminated with linearly polarised visible light

Aqueous suspensions (30 g/100 g) of Hylon V and Hylon VII high amylose corn starches were illuminated with linearly polarized visible light for 5, 15, 25 and 50 h. For each native and illuminated starch sample, weight average molecular weight, M_w, and hydrodynamic radius, R_g, of starch polysaccharide molecules were measured by high pressure size exclusion chromatography coupled with multiangle laser light scattering and refractometric detectors (HPSEC-MALLS-RI). Additionally, X-ray diffraction patterns, intrinsic viscosity, kinetic of alpha-amylolysis together with iodine binding properties and distribution of amylopectin structural units were established for each starch sample. Changes in molecular weight M_w of starch polysaccharide chains eluted under whole polysaccharide peaks and values of intrinsic viscosity of corresponding starch samples observed in the course of illumination indicated that illumination of both starches studied, with linearly polarized visible light (LPVL), induced first depolymerysation followed by repolymerisation reaction of starch polysaccharide chains. Illumination induced rearrangements of the molecular structure of polysaccharide chains of illuminated Hylon V and Hylon VII starches led to significant changes of their physicochemical properties as compared with native starches.     

A comparison of native and acid thinned normal and waxy corn starches: Physicochemical, thermal, morphological and pasting properties

The starches isolated from normal and waxy corn varieties were hydrolyzed with hydrochloric acid (0.14 mol equivalent/L) and evaluated for physicochemical and functional properties. Acid thinning decreased the amylose content and swelling power but increased the solubility. The light transmittance of acid thinned (AT) starch pastes was higher than those of their native starches after similar storage intervals. The scanning electron microscopic observation demonstrated that the acid thinning did not cause any disruption of the granular crystalline structure. Native normal corn starches showed lower onset temperature (T_o) and peak temperature (T_p) as compared to their counterpart AT starches, whereas the reverse was observed for waxy corn starch. Enthalpy of gelatinization (ΔH_gel) was lower in AT normal and waxy starches as compared to their native starches. The percentage of retrogradation (%R) was significantly higher for native corn starches as compared to their AT starches. A significant reduction in peak—(P_V), trough—(T_V), breakdown—(B_V), final—(F_V), and setback viscosity (S_V) was observed by acid thinning, and the reduction was more pronounced in AT waxy starches. Among AT starches, AT waxy starch showed the lowest values of P_V, T_V, B_V, F_V and S_V.     

Effect of amylose content on estimated kinetic parameters for a starch viscosity model

The apparent viscosity profile of starches during gelatinization varies with different amylose content. This study focused on the influence of amylose content on the kinetic parameters of a starch viscosity model for corn starches. The five parameters were: gelatinization rate constant (k_g), gelatinization activation energy (E_g), relative increase in apparent viscosity during gelatinization (A^α), relative decrease in apparent viscosity during shearing (B), and viscous activation energy (E_v). The parameters were estimated at different amylose content using both ordinary least squares nonlinear regression and the sequential method. The mixer viscometry approach was used to measure apparent viscosity. The first part of this paper presents parameter estimation results for waxy corn starch. The model was validated by using the parameters to predict viscosity for the same starch in a different measuring system, i.e., the RVA. The second part of this paper presents the estimated parameters for corn starch blends at different amylose content. The following parameters were significantly affected by amylose content: k_g and E_g both decreased with amylose content by an power-law relationship. Activation energy of gelatinization ranged from 121 to 1169 kJ/mol. The other parameters A^α, B, and E_v were not significantly influenced by amylose content. In summary, the gelatinization parameters k_g and E_g dramatically decreased as amylose increased from 3% to 35% (waxy corn starch blends).     

Molecular Distribution and Pasting Properties of UV-Irradiated Corn Starches

Suspension (30 %, w/w) of corn starch (25 % amylose) in water was irradiated by UV-light with wavelength greater than 250 nm at 25°C, under a stream of nitrogen or air, for time intervals ranging from 5 to 25 h. Effects of the irradiation on the transition enthalpy and temperature for melting, and the pasting viscosity profile of the irradiated starch were examined. Weight-average molecular weight (M_w) and radius of gyration (R_g) of the irradiated starch molecules were measured by high performance size exclusion chromatography coupled with multiangle laser light scattering and differential refractive index detectors (HPSEC-MALLS-RI). In the case of starch irradiated under nitrogen, the transition enthalpy (ΔH) decreased with increasing irradiation time whereas the melting temperature was not changed. Similarly, the peak paste viscosity (P_v) decreased from 97 to 56 RVU by 25 h irradiation. Average M_w and R_g of amylopectin and amylose fractions, which were 93 × 10⁶ and 144 nm, and 2.0 × 10⁶ and 104 nm, respectively, were decreased by irradiation to 32.2 × 10⁶ and 93.7 nm, and 0.7 × 10⁶ and 83.6 nm by the irradiation for 15 h under nitrogen, respectively. When the starch was irradiated with aeration, sharp drops of all measured parameters were observed in 5 h of irradiation (ΔH 11.4 J/g, P_v 53.2 RVU, amylopectin M_w 50 × 10⁶). After 15 h under air, however, all measured values increased (ΔH 16.8 J/g, P_v 65.5 RVU, amylopectin M_w 63.1 × 10⁶). Molecular size distribution profiles confirmed oxidative the photodegradation in the early stage (up to 5 h), and cross-linking reactions in the late stage (5—15 h) of irradiation under aeration.     

Molecular Fractionation of Starch in Nycodenz‐Dimethyl Sulfoxide by Density‐Gradient Ultracentrifugation

Starches from various origins (normal corn, waxy corn, high‐amylose corn, normal rice, waxy rice, potato and tapioca) were fractionated by density‐gradient ultracentrifugation at 124,000×g, using a gradient of Nycodenz (0–40%, w/w) in 90% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The fractions of different densities were collected from a centrifuge tube, and then analyzed by the phenol‐sulfuric acid method and iodine‐binding test. Amylose and amylopectin were clearly separated by the density‐gradient centrifugation within 6 h of centrifugation in the total carbohydrate vs. density profile. The amylose content in the starches, measured from the centrifugation for 6 h, agreed with the values reported in the literature, and the content of intermediate fraction (5–13%) was also measured. Amylopectin quickly reached a density region (1.22–1.23 g/mL) with a sharp and stable peak, whereas amylose showed a band in a broad density range, moving toward higher density as the centrifugation continued. The buoyant density of amylose became similar to that of amylopectin after extensive centrifugation. Because the sedimentation rate of amylose was much lower than that of amylopectin, both starch chains are effectively fractionated in the gradient medium, and the iodine‐binding property of the fractionated starches provides valuable information on the chain conformation of starch.     

Starch‐Soybean Oil Composites With High Oil: Starch Ratios Prepared By Steam Jet Cooking

Aqueous mixtures of soybean oil and starch were jet cooked at oil: starch ratios ranging from 0.5:1 to 4:1 to yield dispersions of micron‐sized oil droplets that were coated with a thin layer of starch at the oil‐water interface. The jet cooked dispersions were then centrifuged at 2060 and 10,800×g, the buoyant, high‐oil fractions that rose to the surface were isolated, and the size distributions of the oil droplets were determined. Experiments were conducted with normal dent, waxy, and high‐amylose corn starches; and oleic acid was added during jet cooking to form helical inclusion complexes with amylose. With normal dent and waxy corn starches, nearly all of the oil was recovered in the buoyant layers, and only small amounts of oil were found in the aqueous mid layers and settled solids. Oil droplet diameters in the buoyant layers obtained with normal dent and waxy corn starch ranged from under 5 µm to over 50 µm. Centrifugation at high versus low relative centrifugal force produced only minor differences in the droplet size distributions. With high‐amylose starch, microscopy showed that most of the oil droplets were entrapped within aggregates of sub‐micron particles that were apparently formed from amylose‐oleic acid inclusion complexes when the dispersions were cooled. Droplet sizes increased with an increase in the oil: starch ratio, and decreased when oleic acid was added during jet cooking.     

Production and characterization of digestion‐resistant starch by the reaction of Neisseria polysaccharea amylosucrase

Recombinant amylosucrase (200 U/mL) from Neisseria polysaccharea was used to produce digestion‐resistant starch (RS) using 1–3% (w/v) corn starches and 0.1–0.5 M sucrose incubated at 35°C for 24 h. Characterization of the obtained enzyme‐modified starches was investigated. Results show that the yields of the enzyme‐modified starches were inversely proportional to the original amylose contents of corn starches. After enzymatic reaction, insoluble RS contents increased by 22.3 and 20.7% from 6.9% of waxy and 7.7% of normal corn starches, respectively, using 3.0% starch as acceptor and 0.3 M sucrose as donor, while amylomaize VII showed the lowest increase (8.5%) in RS content. The crystalline polymorph of these enzyme‐modified starches resulted in the B‐type immediately after enzymatic reaction. The enzyme‐modified starches displayed higher melting peak temperatures (85.6–100.6°C) compared to their native starch counterparts (70.1–78.4°C). After enzymatic reaction, pasting temperature increased in waxy (71.9 → 77.6°C) and normal corn starches (75.3 → 80.6°C), and the peak viscosity of waxy corn starches increased from 264 to 349 RVU, whereas that of normal corn starches decreased from 235 to 66 RVU.     

Low‐ and Medium‐DE Maltodextrins From Waxy Wheat Starch: Preparation and Properties

The goal of the research was to prepare maltodextrins (MD) from waxy wheat starch and waxy corn starch (control). Waxy wheat starches with 0.2% protein, 0.2% lipid and ∼1% amylose were isolated from two flours by mixing a dough, dispersing the dough in excess water, and separating the starch and gluten from the resultant dispersion. The mean recoveries were 72% for the starches and 76% for the gluten fraction with 80% protein. Maltodextrins having low‐dextrose equivalence (DE) 1—2 and mid‐DE 9—10 were prepared by treatment of 15% slurries of waxy wheat starch and waxy corn starch at 95 °C for 5—10 min and 20—50 min, respectively, with a heat‐stable α‐amylase. Denaturing the enzyme and spray‐drying produced MD's with bulk densities of 0.3 g/cm ³. The powdery MD's were subjected to an accelerated‐rancidity development test at 60 °C, and an off‐odor was detected after 2 days storage for the low‐DE MD's from the two waxy wheat starches (WxWS₁‐MD 1.2 and WxWS₂‐MD 1.5), but not for the low‐DE waxy corn maltodextrin (WxCS‐MD 2.2) or a commercial waxy corn MD with DE 1. None of the mid‐DE 9—10 MD's developed off‐odor after 30 days storage at 60 °C. The experimental products WxWS₁‐MD 9.2, WxWS₂‐MD 9.9 and WxCS‐MD 9.1 showed high water‐solubility and gave 1—10% aqueous solutions of high clarity with no clouding upon cooling.     

A comparison of native and oxidized normal and waxy corn starches: Physicochemical, thermal, morphological and pasting properties

The effect of sodium hypochlorite on the physicochemical and functional properties of normal and waxy corn starches was investigated in this study. It was found that both carboxyl and carbonyl contents of oxidized starches from normal corn were higher than those of waxy corn. The introduction of carboxyl and carbonyl groups resulted in lower amylose content and swelling power. Both amylose and amylopectin were oxidized and degraded during oxidation but amylose was more susceptible to oxidation. Studies conducted on paste clarity revealed that the percentage transmittance increased after oxidation. The morphology of the starches was not altered after oxidation. Thermal properties measured by differential scanning calorimeter, showed that oxidation reduced transition temperatures (onset temperature, T_o; peak temperature, T_p; and conclusion temperature, T_c), gelatinization and retrogradation enthalpies of both normal and waxy corn starches. The retrogradation tendency was reduced after oxidation both in normal and waxy corn starches. Oxidation produced waxy starch with significantly higher peak (P_V), trough (T_V), breakdown (B_V), final (F_V), and setback viscosity (S_V) as demonstrated by using a rapid visco analyzer. Oxidation reduced the pasting temperature of both normal and waxy corn starches. Also, the principal component analysis (PCA) study was conducted to find the overall variations among the oxidized starches studied. Together, the first two components represent 88.7 g/100 g of the total variability.     

Structural and some nutritional characteristics of Velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) and Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus) starches

Velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) and lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus) starches were isolated from seeds and their structural characteristics evaluated using XRD, size‐exclusion chromatography and light scattering analyzes. Total starch, available starch, RS and in vitro digestibility were also determined. Structural and nutritional characteristics of Velvet bean and Lima bean starches were compared to those of commercial corn starch. The legumes starches presented a C‐type XRD pattern and crystallite sizes of 43.1 Å for velvet bean and 48.3 Å for lima bean. Lima bean starch average molar mass (4.9 × 10⁶ g/mol) was slightly higher than the velvet bean starch (3.04 × 10⁶ g/mol). Size‐exclusion chromatography indicated structural similarity between the lima bean and corn starches which differed from that of the velvet bean starch. Hydrodynamic radius (R_H) for the velvet bean and lima bean starches was 45.5 and 55 nm, respectively, and their radius of gyration (R_G) was 67.7 and 82.5 nm, respectively. Total starch content in all three starches was greater than 98%. Their complex crystalline structure provided the legume starches lower in vitro digestibility values than the corn starch. RS content in both the velvet bean starch (7.72%) and lima bean starch (5.66%) was higher than in the corn starch, essentially qualifying these polysaccharides as natural dietary fiber sources, with the associated physiologic advantages.     

Rate of Hydroxypropylation of Starches as a Function of Reaction Time

To determine the course of the hydroxypropylation reaction as a function of reaction time, waxy corn, normal corn, potato, and wheat starches were reacted with propylene oxide under normal reaction conditions. Amounts of leached material and MS values of both leached and granular molecules were determined over the course of reaction. For waxy and normal corn starches, the extent of reaction increased linearly from 0 to 12 h, after which the reaction proceeded at an ever decreasing rate, reaching zero at about 30 h of reaction. The initial rate of reaction was determined by reacting waxy corn starch with a greater amount of propylene oxide (10×normal concentration) so that there would be no slowing of the reaction due to loss of reagent. Results confirmed that the initial reaction rate was linear. The hypothesis that, as derivatization proceeds, granules are opened up, resulting in ever increasing rates of reaction was not substantiated. Amounts and MS values of leached molecules from waxy and normal corn starches increased continuously over the course of the reaction. For potato and wheat starches, MS values of the granular starch also increased continuously over the entire reaction period. Amounts of leached molecules from potato starch were greater than those from wheat starch, with the amount leached at 30 h from potato starch being slightly more than that from normal and waxy corn starches and that from wheat starch being considerably less.     

Amylopectin structure of heat–moisture treated starches

The effects of heat–moisture treatment (HMT; moisture content of 25%, at 100°C for 24 h) on starch chain distribution and unit chain distribution of amylopectin in normal rice, waxy rice, normal corn, waxy corn, normal potato, and waxy potato starches were investigated. After HMT, starch chain distribution (amylose and amylopectin responses) of waxy corn and potato starches were identical to those of untreated starches, whereas the chromatographic response of waxy rice starch showed a slight decrease, but with a slight increase in peak tailing. This result indicated that HMT had no (or very limited) effect on the degradation of amylopectins. Analysis of unit chain distribution of amylopectins revealed that waxy characteristics affected the molecular structure of amylopectin in untreated starches, i.e., the CL of normal‐type starches was greater than that of waxy‐type starches. After HMT, the CL and unit chain distribution of all starches were no different than those of untreated starches. The results implied that changes in the physico‐chemical properties of HMT starches would be due to other phenomena rather than the degradation of amylopectin molecular structure. However, the thermal degradation of amylopectin molecules of waxy starches could occur by HMT at higher treatment temperatures (120 and 140°C).     

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.     

Characterization of Physical Properties of Flour and Starch Obtained from Gamma‐Irradiated White Rice

Physical and structural characteristics of rice flour and starch obtained from gamma‐irradiated white rice were determined. Pasting viscosities of the rice flour and starch, analyzed by using a Rapid Visco Analyser, decreased continuously with the increase in irradiation dosage. Differential scanning calorimetry showed that gelatinization onset, peak and conclusion temperatures of rice flour and starch changed slightly but the enthalpy change decreased significantly with increase of irradiation dosage. All irradiated starch displayed an A‐type X‐ray diffraction pattern like the native starch. Gel permeation chromatography showed that the blue value ratio of the first peak (amylopectin) to the second one (amylose) decreased with the increase of the irradiation dosage. The weight‐average molecular weight (M_w) and gyration radius (R_z) of amylopectin analyzed by using HPSEC‐MALLS‐RI (high‐performance size‐exclusion chromatography equipped with multiangle laser‐light scattering and refractive index detector) decreased gradually from 1.48×10⁹ (M_w) and 384.1 nm (R_z) of native rice starch to 2.36×10⁸ (M_w) and 236.8 nm of 9 kGy‐irradiated starch. The branch chain‐length distribution of amylopectins determined by HPAEC‐ENZ‐PAD (high‐performance anion‐exchange chromatography with amyloglucosidase post‐column on‐line reactor and pulsed amperometric detector) showed that gamma irradiation had no significant effect on the amylopectin branch chains with 13≤DP≤24 and 37≤DP, but produced more branch chains with 6≤DP≤12 when the irradiation dosage was less than 9 kGy. It might be deduced that gamma irradiation caused the breakage of the amylopectin chains at the amorphous regions, but had little effects on the crystalline regions of starch granules, especially at low dosage irradiation.     

Properties of Cast Films Made of HCl‐Methanol Modified Corn Starch

The molecular and physicochemical properties of the studied starches modified with 0.36% HCl in methanol at 25 °C and 45 °C were related to the film properties of these starches. The weight‐averaged molecular weight (M_w) and the number of long‐chain branches (DP 13‐36) of HCl‐methanol modified starch decreased with increasing degree of acid modification, but the number of short‐chain branches (DP < 6) increased. HCl‐methanol modification significantly decreased the ghost formation in gelatinized starch dispersions and the viscosity of starch film‐forming dispersions. Thus, the homogeneity of the produced starch films was improved and their opacity reduced. Proper HCl‐methanol modification produced corn starch films with lower moisture absorption rate and maximum moisture content under high relative humidity (RH = 97%) condition.     

Structural,thermal and viscoelastic characteristics of starches separated from normal,sugary and waxy maize

Starches separated from five types of maize (two normal, one sugary and two waxy) were investigated for physicochemical, thermal, amylopectin structure and viscoelastic properties. Kisan and Paras were normal maize while Parbhat and LM-6 were waxy maize type. Apparent amylose content of normal and sugary maize was 29.5–32.6 and 41.0%, respectively. Swelling power of normal, sugary and waxy maize starches was 11.6–15.2, 7.8 and 30.2–39.2 (g/g), respectively. X-ray diffraction of maize starches indicated typical A-pattern. Maize starch showed a single broad peak at 2θ=23.2° and a dual peak 2θ=17°–18.1, respectively. Waxy maize starches showed the presence of greater crystallinity than other starches while sugary maize starch showed the presence of lower crystallinity and a large amount of amylose–lipid complex. Intrinsic viscosity [η] of starches in 90% DMSO at 25 °C was 79.7–119.5 ml g⁻¹ for normal, 70.5 ml g⁻¹ for sugary and 107.2–118.1 ml g⁻¹ for waxy starches. Branch chain–length distribution of amylopectin revealed that the apparent amylose, long side chain- and short side chain-amylopectin proportion ranged between 0.0–41%, 13.4–31.5% and 41.5–66.8%, respectively, among the various maize starches. Maize sugary showed the highest apparent amylose content and the least amount of short- and long-side chains of amylopectin. LM-6 and Parbhat showed higher proportion of both long- and short-chain amylopectin as compared to other starches. Distribution of α-1, 4-chains of amylopectin (short-/long-chain) ranged between 2.1 and 3.4, the least for LM-6 and the highest for Paras starch. The transition temperatures (T_o–T_c) ranged between 60.5 and 76.1 °C for sugary, 63.5–76.3 °C for normal and 64.4–81.3 °C for waxy maize starch. The enthalpy of gelatinization (ΔH_gel) of sugary, normal and waxy maize starches was 2.47, 3.7–4.75 and 4.15–5.4 J/g, respectively. Normal and sugary maize starches showed higher G′ and G″ than waxy type starches. The change in the moduli during cooling and reheating of pastes cooked at different temperatures revealed low disintegration of granular structure in starch with higher amylose and amylose–lipid complex as well as low crystallinity. The changes in moduli during 10 h at 10 °C revealed highest retrogradation in maize sugary followed by Paras and Kisan starch.     

Chemical Composition and Structure of Granule Periphery and Envelope Remnant of Rice Starches as Revealed by Chemical Surface Gelatinization

In this work the contribution of molecular structures to the swelling behavior of rice starches was investigated. Rice starches with different amylose contents (0 ‐ 23.4 %) were gelatinized to various degrees (approximately 10, 20, and 50 %) with 13 M aqueous LiCl, and the surface‐gelatinized starch and ungelatinized remaining granules were separated and characterized. The native starches were heated at 85 or 95°C for 30 min in excess water, and the granule envelope remnants were recovered by centrifugation for further characterization. The remaining granules after surface removal exhibited a lower gelatinization temperature and enthalpy, and swelled to a greater extent upon heating than the native counterpart. The amylopectin molecules in granule envelope remnants obtained at 95°C had larger M_w (weight‐average molar mass) and R_z (z‐average gyration radius) than those in remnants obtained at 85°C. The chemical composition and structure of granule envelope remnants obtained at 85°C were different from those obtained at 95°C for the same rice starch cultivar. The results imply that starch periphery may not be responsible for maintaining starch granule integrity during gelatinization and swelling. It is proposed that the composition and structure of the granule envelope remnant that maintains granule integrity are not constant but dynamic. The formation of a semi‐permeable membrane‐like surface structure during gelatinization and swelling is proposed to be a result of molecule entanglement after gelatinization.