Characterisation of starches from West African yams

Starches from four varieties of West African yams were extracted and characterised. The physicochemical properties investigated (granule size and morphology, amylose content, crystal form, gelatinisation and pasting behaviour) depended strongly on the yam variety. The starch granules extracted from water yam (Dioscorea alata), white yam (D rotundata) and yellow yam (D cayensis) varieties showed mononodal particle size distributions centred between 31 and 35 µm, while the bitter yam (D dumetorum) exhibited a binodal size distribution of starch granules centred at 4.5 and 9 µm. Light microscopy confirmed the variation in starch granule size and shape with yam variety. The X-ray diffractogram of yellow yam was of the B type, while bitter yam showed an A pattern. The starches extracted from the white and water yams were of the intermediate C-type patterns. The temperatures of onset of gelatinisation were derived from DSC and RVA measurements; values of 69.4 and 75.0 °C for the yellow yam, 71.5 and 78.2 °C for the white yam, 76.5 and 79.8 °C for the water yam and 78.1 and 83.1 °C for the bitter yam were obtained. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Thermal properties of new varieties of yam starches

Starches isolated from yam varieties of Dioscorea alata and Dioscorea cayenensis‐rotundata species were prepared at different time–temperature conditions and characterised by DSC, amperometric iodine titration, light microscopy and rheology and compared to native and chemical modified tapioca starches. The observation by light microscopy showed different morphologies of the granules when heated above 100°C and the tendency for disintegration decreased in the order native tapioca starch > yam starch > modified tapioca starch. Differences between yam and tapioca starches were also revealed by DSC. Yam starch enthalpy is higher than tapioca starch, but the peak temperature is low. However, the significant differences between yam and the other tested starches were found in terms of their rheological behaviour. The viscosity of yam starch was very stable at high temperatures on the viscograph. With this property, yam starch can be used as thickening and gelling agent in food.     

Studies on Dioscorea rotundata Starch Properties

Starch from six clonal selections of Dioscorea rotundata was isolated by standard procedure. The yield was between 20–24%. Various properties of these starches were compared. Granule size, 2% viscosity, peak viscosity, clarity, sol stability, total and soluble amylose contents were studied and only small variations were observed in the properties except paste viscosities among the clonal selections. The phosphorus content of Dioscorea starch was found to be three times as much as cassava starch, but low compared to potato starch. The higher gel strength of D. rotundata starch paste compared to cassava gel may be attributed to the phosphate linkages among the starch molecules in the granules.     

Improving the application of gibberellic acid to prolong dormancy of yam tubers (Dioscorea spp)

With the aim of reducing the cost and time needed to treat yam tubers with gibberellic acid (GA₃), this study compared several new methods of application with the established dipping procedure (150 mg kg^?1 for 1 h). Both GA₃‐containing soil paste (25 mg kg^?1) and gelatinized starch (860 mg kg^?1) were applied to tuber heads of Dioscorea alata and D cayenensis‐rotundata in the Ivory Coast. Soil paste, gelatinized starch and dipping consistently prolonged dormancy and reduced fresh matter losses by 23–39% in D cayenensis‐rotundata 3‐year means. Although dipping reduced the storage losses most efficiently, soil paste and gelatinized starch used considerably less GA₃. Both new treatments were easily prepared and quickly applied. Soil paste was most effective when the treatment was repeated before the end of dormancy. The third new method, spraying the tubers with a GA₃ solution (150 mg kg^?1), was not effective. In general, the optimal time of application was immediately post‐harvest. For D alata, treatment only 1 month after harvest was particularly ineffective, whereas D cayenensis‐rotundata tubers could be treated with some effect up to the end of dormancy. To achieve extended storage periods of healthy tubers of D cayenensis‐rotundata, GA₃ application may be recommended as post‐harvest practice. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Some characteristics and a comparison 6f the activities of o-dihydroxyphenoloxidase activity from five yam (Dioscorea spp.) species

o-Dihydroxyphenoloxidase (E.C. 1.14.18.1) (o-DPOase) was extracted from acetone-extracted freeze-dried yam tubers, and fractionated by (NH₄)₂SO₄ precipitation and chromatography on DEAE-cellulose to give two forms from Dioscorea alta L. (cv. UM680) and three forms from D. rotundata Poir. (cv. Nwopoke). Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed one of the forms from each species to contain two protein bands with o-DPOase activity. o-DPOase from D. alata showed activity with catechol, (+)-catechin, (?)-epicatechin and chlorogenic acid, but not with tyrosine, as substrate, o-DPOase from D. rotundata showed activity only with catechol and (+)-catechin. K_m values for D. rotundata enzymes, calculated assuming a two-substrate reaction, were between 0.2 and 0.8 mM for oxygen and 70 and 120 mM for catechol. The enzyme was most active between pH 5.5 and pH 7.0, and showed slight activation after holding for 2 minutes at 40 or 50°C. After heating to above 60°C the enzyme showed evidence of irreversible denaturation. Theo-DPOase activity extracted from ten cultivars of five species of D. alata L., D. bulbifera L., D. cayenensis Lam., D. dumetorum Pax, and D. rotundata Poir. were compared.     

ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF LIMA BEAN (PHASEOLUS LUNATUS) STARCH

Starch from large lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus) was isolated and some of the important characteristics determined. The yield of starch was 22% on a whole seed basis. The shape of the starch granules was round to oval to elliptical, with granules 15–36 μm diameter. Scanning electron micrographs revealed presence of smooth surfaces. Gelatinization temperature range was 70–75–80°C and amylose content was 34.5%. The starch exhibited high single stage swelling and moderate solubility in water. The x-ray diffraction pattern was of the C-type. The viscoamylographic examination on starch paste (6%, w/v) showed the absence of a peak viscosity, a high 95°C viscosity (700 BU) and a breakdown in consistency (60 BU) during the 95°C holding cycle. Scanning electron microscopy showed that native starch granules were very resistant to attack by porcine pancreatic α-amylase. However, defatting slightly increased the extent of hydrolysis. The gel showed poor stability towards refrigerated storage and freeze-thaw cycling. The starch granules were highly resistant to acidic hydrolysis.     

Physicochemical,Morphological, Thermal and Pasting Properties of Starches Isolated from Rice Cultivars Grown in India

Physicochemical, morphological, thermal, and pasting properties of starches, isolated from basmati (HBC-19 and Bas-370) and non-basmati (Jaya, a coarse cultivar; P-44 and HKR-120, the medium cultivars and Sharbati, fine cultivar) rice cultivars grown in India were studied. The amylose content of starches from different cultivars ranged from 2.25 (Jaya) to 22.21 g/100 g of starch (HBC-19). Jaya, HKR-120, and P-44 cultivars showed soft gel consistency as 84, 73, and 69 mm, respectively, whereas Sharbati, Bas-370 and HBC-19 cultivars showed medium gel consistency as 54, 53, and 58 mm, respectively. Swelling power (at 95°C) indicated a significant positive correlation with amylopectin content (r = 0.828, p < 0.05) and gel consistency (r = 0.983, p < 0.01). Turbidity had a highly significant positive correlation with solubility (r = 0.919, p < 0.01) and amylose content (r = 0.945, p < 0.01). Starch form Jaya cultivar showed the presence of smallest size granules (2.4–5.7 μm) with an average size of 3.96 μm, whereas Bas-370 showed the presence of largest size granules (3.3–6.7 μm) with an average size of 5.0 μm. The transition temperatures, enthalpy of gelatinization (ΔH_gel), peak height index (PHI) and gelatinization range were determined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The starch from Sharbati cultivar showed highest onset temperature (T_o), peak temperature (T_p), conclusion temperature (T_c), enthalpy of gelatinization and peak height index (PHI) of 68.8°C, 73.2°C, 79.0°C, 11.56 J/g and 2.63 respectively. Pasting temperature of rice starches varied from 68.9°C (Jaya) to 74.5°C (Sharbati). The peak viscosities observed were in the range of 2223 to 3297 cP, lowest for HBC-19 starch and highest for Jaya starch.     

Starch Characterisation of Araucaria angustifolia and Araucaria araucana Seeds

Araucaria angustifolia and Araucaria araucana are conifers that cover different areas of South America. Their seeds have been consumed from prehistoric times until today in Brazil, Argentina and Chile. In this work, the starch of Araucaria angustifolia and Araucaria araucana seeds were analysed by light and environmental scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry. The starch granules of A. angustifolia and A. araucana were round or slightly oval, with a central hilum. Both starches gave X‐ray diffraction patterns compatible with the A‐type, with strong peaks at 15°, 17°, and 23°. The gelatinisation temperature of A. angustifolia starch (68.5°C) was higher than that of A. araucana (66.6°C), probably due to the higher amylose content of the former (22.4 % and 17.3 %, respectively). The thermograms of A. araucana starch presented a minor peak at about 71°C, which was attributed to the fact that the starch granules population of A. araucana was heterogeneous, with large and small granules, whereas A. angustifolia starch contained mainly large granules.     

Rheological Characteristics of Different Tropical Root Starches

The rheological properties of starch extracted from ten different species of tropical tuber crops were examined using a Bohlin rheometer. Suspensions with starch concentrations of 3, 4 and 5% were gelatinised at 75°C and fed into the rheometer cup. A C 25 measuring system was used and the heating rate was 1.5°C/min, heating schedule 75‐95ºC, holding at 95°C for 600 s, cooling to 35°C at 1.5ºC/min, holding for 3600 s. For strain sweep tests, the range of strain used was 0‐0.2% and the temperature of test was 35ºC. The data on viscosity, storage modulus (G′) and phase angle were obtained from the rheograms. The results indicated variability in the various properties of the different starches. However the results did not follow a definite trend. The viscosity of Colocasia starch was low while Canna edulis and yam starches had high viscosities. The storage modulus was also highest for Canna starch (70‐93 Pa) for 5% and gel strength was comparatively high for Canna edulis, Dioscorea esculenta and D. rotundata starches. The phase angle values followed the pattern of G′ and all the starch pastes were found to be elastic in nature at higher concentration. The wide variability in rheological properties can be useful in different applications of tuber starches.     

Fine Structure,Thermal and Viscoelastic Properties of Starches Separated from Indica Rice Cultivars

Starches were separated from indica rice cultivars (PR‐113, Basmati‐370, Basmati‐386, PR‐115, IR‐64, and PR‐103) and evaluated using gel permeation chromatography (GPC), X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic viscoelasticity . Debranching of starch with isoamylase and subsequent fractionation by GPC revealed 9.7–28.3% apparent amylose content, 3.7–5.0% intermediate fraction (mixture of short amylose and long side‐chains of amylopectin), 20.6–26.6% long side‐chains of amylopectin and 45.8–59.4% short side‐chains of amylopectin). IR‐64 starch with the highest crystallinity had the highest gelatinization temperatures and enthalpy, T_o, T_p, T_c, and ΔH_gel being 71.8, 75.9, 82.4°C and 5.1 J/g, respectively, whereas PR‐113 starch with lower crystallinity showed the lowest gelatinization temperatures (T_o, T_p, T_c, of 60.8, 65.7 and 72.2°C, respectively). Basmati‐386 starch exhibited two endotherms during heating, the first and second endotherm being associated with the melting of crystallites and amylose‐lipid complexes, respectively. T_o, T_p, T_c and ΔH_gel of the second endotherm of Basmati‐386 starch were 99.0, 100.1, 101.1°C and 2.0 J/g, respectively. During cooling, Basmati‐386 also showed an exotherm at a peak temperature of 87°C. PR‐113 starch with the highest amylose content and the lowest content of short side‐chains of amylopectin had the highest peak storage modulus (G′= 1.6×10⁴ Pa). The granules of PR‐113 starch were the least disintegrated after heating. The effects of heating starch suspensions at different temperatures (92°C, 130°C and 170°C) on intrinsic viscosity [η], transmittance and viscoelasticity were also studied to evaluate the extent of breakdown of the molecular structure. The intrinsic viscosity of starch suspensions heated at 92, 130 and 170°C ranged between 103–114, 96–110 and 28–93 mL/g. Transmittance value of starches cooked at 92°C decreased with increase in storage duration. All starches except PR103, cooked at 130°C also showed decrease in transmittance during storage, however, at lower rate. PR103 starch heated at 130°C did not show any change in transmittance up to a storage time of 48 h. The changes in viscoelasticity of starch pastes cooked at different temperatures during cooling and reheating were also evaluated. G′ and G′′ increased with decrease in temperature during cooling cycle. Starches heated at 130°C with apparent amylose content ≤ 21.2% showed an improvement in G′ and G′′ in comparison to the corresponding starches heated at 92°C, this improvement was observed to be higher in starches with lower amylose content. All starches heated at 170°C had a higher proportion of breakdown in molecular structure as indicated by lower G′ and G′′ than the same starches heated at 130 and 92°C.     

Myrosma cannifolia,chemical composition and physicochemical properties of the extracted starch

Myrosma cannifolia Lf (Maranthaceae) is a tuber‐producing plant which is native to Apure State in Venezuela and is consumed by the Pumé Amerindians of the region. Its chemical composition and physical characteristics were determined. The chemical, physicochemical, morphometric characteristics and rheological properties of starch isolated from Myrosma were studied. The starch yield was 438.6 g kg ⁻¹ (DW). Starch granules were oval, elliptical, irregular and polyhedric, with granules of 9.5–21.25 μm wide and 9.6–19.05 μm long. Scanning electron micrographs revealed the presence of smooth surfaces. The starch showed a characteristic ‘A‐pattern’ of cereal starches by X‐ray diffraction, with zones of high crystallinity. The amylographic study showed a rapid gelatinisation with high stability during heating and cooling cycles. The starch might be a potential ingredient for food products manufactured using different temperatures during processing. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

The physicochemical and binder properties of starch from Persea americana Miller (Lauraceae)

Avocado starch was extracted from the kernels of the fruit Persea americana Miller (Fam. Lauraceae) and evaluated for its potential as an alternative to maize starch as a pharmaceutical excipient. Its physicochemical and thermal properties were evaluated and compared with those of maize starch. Granules prepared with avocado and maize starch pastes as binder were evaluated for their flow, friability and compaction characteristics. The average yield of starch extracted from the fresh kernels of P. americana was 20.5 ± 0.55% w/w. The scanning electron micrograph (SEM) showed that avocado starch has two characteristic granule shapes; triangular and circular both having an approximate equal distribution. The triangular shaped granules are larger (28 to 32 µm) than the circular (6 to 9 µm). The foaming capacity of avocado starch was 19.05 ± 0.6%, its swelling, moisture uptake and paste clarity were generally lower than that of the maize starch. Avocado starch gel exhibited an extent of syneresis after freeze–thaw that increased cumulatively with increase in number of freeze–thaw cycles. The glass transition (T_g) and gelatinisation temperatures for avocado starch were higher than that of maize starch. The melting temperatures (T_m), ash value, as well as the various densities of avocado starch showed similarities with those of maize starch. The granules prepared with avocado starch pastes as binder showed superior compactibility and mechanical strength to those of maize starch but with similar flow characteristics. Avocado starch generally showed distinct physicochemical and binder properties with some similarities to the standard maize starch.     

Effect of temperature on the synthesis,composition and physical properties of potato microtuber starch

Potato microtubers (cv Maris Piper) were grown at 10, 16 and 24°C in total darkness for 28 days. Soluble and insoluble starch synthase, ADPglucose pyrophosphorylase, sucrose synthase and fructokinase were assayed in extracts of the microtubers and, in the case of soluble and insoluble starch synthase, activity was found to be particularly sensitive to increasing growth temperature. The starch content of the microtubers increased slightly with increasing growth temperature, but with little effect on the number of granules per microtuber and a small increase in the average granule size. The microtuber starch granules were much smaller than those found in commercial potato starch (c 8–9 μm modal diameter compared to c 21 μm). Although the amylose content of the microtuber starches tended to increase with increasing growth temperature, the phosphorus content was variable. Gel permeation chromatographic elution profiles of native and debranched microtuber and a commercial potato starch showed that no differences could be detected in either amylose or amylopectin molecular size, polydispersity or unit chain distribution of amylopectin (which contained two major unit chain fractions at DP 21 and 56). The onset, peak and conclusion temperatures of the DSC gelatinisation endotherm increased linearly as a function of growth temperature whilst the enthalpy of gelatinisation decreased. It is suggested that elevated temperature during starch biosynthesis facilitates ordering of amylopectin double helices into crystalline domains. © 1998 SCI.     

Variability in starch physicochemical and functional properties of yam (Dioscorea sp) cultivated in Ivory Coast

An Erratum has been published for this article in Journal Of the Science of Food and Agriculture 85(5), 889 (2005). Native starches were extracted from 21 cultivars of four yam species representative of the yam population of Ivory Coast. They were first characterized for their proximate composition, starch physico‐chemical properties (amylose content, particle size distribution, crystallinity, thermal properties and intrinsic viscosity). Some functional properties (swelling, solubility and pasting behaviour and paste clarity) were then determined. Analysis of variance and principal component analysis showed that three homogenous groups could be distinguished, mainly based on starch physico‐chemical properties. The first group contained all yam starches of the D alata and the D cayenensis‐rotundata complex species. It was characterized by a large diameter grain (approximately 25 µm), a high amylose content (around 25% db), a high intrinsic viscosity (mean of 190 cm³ g^?1), and a high apparent viscosity and clarity of the paste. The second group contained the D esculenta varieties, characterized by a small granule size (diameter 6 µm), a low intrinsic viscosity (121 cm³ g^?1), a high gelatinization enthalpy change (19 J g^?1) and a low paste viscosity. The D dumetorum sample differed from the D esculenta group by having a pure A‐type crystalline form and an opaque paste. A multiple regression showed that the volume fraction of the dispersed phase and native granule size (or amylose content) could account for close to 80% of the variability of paste apparent viscosity. Gel clarity appeared mainly linked to granule size, small granules from D dumetorum and D esculenta giving the most opaque gels. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Analysis of the Material and Tablet Formation Properties of four Dioscorea Starches

The material and tablet formation properties of starches from four different Dioscorea species, namely White (D. rotundata), Bitter (D. dumetorum), Chinese (D. oppositifolia) and Water yam (D. alata), was characterized to determine their applicability as direct compression excipient. The physicochemical, thermal, morphological and material properties of the starches were investigated. The tablet formation properties were assessed using the 3‐D modeling parameters, the Heckel equation and the force‐displacement profiles. The tablet properties were evaluated using the elastic recovery and compactibility plots. The results indicate that the chemical composition, thermal and material properties of the starches varied considerably among the four species. The sorption isotherms show that the relative humidity (RH) during tablet production and storage should be carefully controlled. The tableting results show that all four starches exhibit similar time dependent deformation (d). The ranking for pressure plasticity (e) was Water > Chinese > White > Bitter, which indicates that Water deforms more easily and Bitter less easily. The ranking for fast elastic decompression was White > Water ≥ Chinese > Bitter. The amylose content, size and shape of the starch granules and specific surface area appears to play a significant role in the compressibility. Thus, White and Water with larger granules and high amylose content exhibited poor compressibility and did not form compacts except at high ρ_rel,max, while Bitter and Chinese with polygonal shape, small particle size and high specific surface area were more compressible and formed tablets of acceptable crushing force. Thus, Chinese and Bitter could be useful as excipient in direct compression.     

Some Selected Physicochemical Properties of Buffalo Gourd (Cucurbita foetidissima HBK) Root Starch

The starch granules of buffalo gourd contained 30.5% apparent amylose, showed a high swelling power and gelatinised over 57-70.8°C with an enthalpy of 4.26cal·g⁻¹. The starch pastes had a stable peak viscosity with a resistance to fragmentation intermediate to those of cassava and potato starches during holding at 95°C. The starch gels displayed a higher storage modulus (G′) than that of corn starch and a viscous character similar to that of potato starch. These properties differ from the maize-like characteristics reported for this type of starch.     

Raw Starch Digestion by α-Amylase and Glucoamylase from Chalara paradoxa

Glucoamylase and α-amylase of Chalara paradoxa were separated by hydrophobic column chromatography using butyl-Toyopearl 650M. The α-amylase showed the highest activity at pH 5.5 and 45°C, and was stable in the pH range of 5.5–6.5 and at temperatures lower than 40°C. The glucoamylase showed the highest activity at pH 5.0 and 45°C, and was stable in the pH range of 4.0–7.5 and at temperatures lower than 45°C. The molecular mass of the α-amylase and glucoamylase estimated by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was 80,000 and 68,000, respectively. Both glucoamylase and α-amylase could digest more effectively raw rice starch and raw corn starch than raw sago starch and raw potato starch. 2% raw rice starch in 10 ml solution was digested by more than 90% by 100 units of each amylase. When these amylases were used combined, raw corn starch was more effectively digested than they were used singly. This cooperative action in raw corn starch digestion was also observed when. C. paradoxa α-amylase and R. niveus glucoamylase were combined.     

Purification and Characterization of a Pullulan-Hydrolyzing Glucoamylase from Sclerotium rolfsii

The pullulan-hydrolyzing enzyme from the culture filtrates of Sclerotium rolfsii grown on soluble starch as a carbon source has been purified by ultrafiltration (Amicon, PM-10), ion-exchange chromatography (DEAE-Cellulose DE-52) and gel filtration chromatography (Bio-Gel P-150). The enzyme moved as a single band in non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis carried out at pH 2.9 and 7.5. The relative molecular mass of the enzyme was estimated to be 64.000 D by SDS-PAGE and 66.070 D by gel filtration on Bio-Gel P150. The enzyme hydrolyzed pullulan optimally at 50°C between pH 4.0–4.5, whereas, soluble starch was optimally hydrolyzed at a pH of between 4.0–4.5 and at 65°C. The Michaelis constant (Km) for pullulan was 5.13mg·ml⁻¹ (V_max 1.0U · mg⁻¹) and for soluble starch, it was 0.6mg · ml⁻¹ (V_max 8.33 U · mg⁻¹). The enzyme was observed to be a glycoprotein (12–13% carbohydrate by weight) and had a strong affinity for Concanavalin A. The enzyme hydrolyzed α-D-glucans in an exo-manner, which resulted in the release of glucose as the sole product of hydrolysis. Acarbose, a maltotetraose analog, was found to be a potent inhibitor of both pullulan and starch hydrolysis (100% inhibition at 0.06 μM). The enzyme has been characterized as a glucoamylase (1,4-α-D-glucan glucohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.3) showing a significant action on pullulan.     

CHARACTERISTICS OF STARCH FROM WATER CHESTNUT (TRAPA BISPINOSA ROXB.)

The physicochemical properties of the starch extracted from krajub (Trapa bispinosa Roxb.) were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy of the starch granules showed that they were either oval or round in shape with small horn(s) protruding from the surface. Amylose content of the krajub starch was 29.62% (dry weight basis [dwb]). The pasting temperatures of 6–8% starch suspension were 81–83C. Brabender amylogram showed no peak viscosity and very low breakdown, indicating high heat and shear stability of the starch suspension. The starch pastes highly retrograded and formed an opaque gel. The X‐ray diffraction patterns of the starch revealed a C‐type crystallite. The starch granules were more resistant to acid hydrolysis (2.2 N HCl at ambient temperature) than mung bean starch (C‐type crystallite).     

Effect of Hydroxypropylation on the Properties of White Yam (Dioscorea rotundata) Starch

Starch isolated from white yam (Dioscorea rotundata) was subjected to hydroxypropylation under different conditions. Corresponding increases were observed between the molar substitution (MS) and the volume of propylene oxide added to the reaction mixture. After hydroxypropylation, a slight reduction in the intensity of the peak at 2θ = 19.6° was observed and the doublet peak at 23.8°, which was present in native starch, was no longer seen. Hydroxypropylation enhanced the free swelling capacity (FSC) and solubility. Setback and retrogradation of native starch declined after hydroxypropylation. Turbidity of native starch paste and syneresis were higher with storage time. The results also indicate that enzymatic digestibility improved as the MS increased, while the reverse was observed for starch paste turbidity, syneresis, setback and retrogradation. This study presents relevant information that could strategically position D. rotundata starch and its hydroxypropylated derivatives for industrial applications.