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.     

Physicochemical properties of waxy and normal corn starches treated in different anhydrous alcohols with hydrochloric acid

Corn starches (25 g, d. b.) were treated in anhydrous methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol or 1-butanol (100 ml) with 1 ml 36% hydrochloric acid at 45 °C for 1 h, the molecular weight and chain length distributions of starch were examined by high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC), and the granule size, granular structure, λ_max, blue value, solubility and gelatinization thermal properties of starch were also examined. Results showed the recovery yields of the treated starch were higher than 96%, and the granule sizes of treated starches were slightly lower than their counterpart native starch. Starches after acid-alcohol treated showed internal fissures or cavities in some granules, and the number of granule with fissures or cavities increased with the increasing carbon number of alcohol. The weight average degree of polymerization and relative content of F1 fraction of starch after treated profoundly decreased, and the amylose and long chain of amylopectin of starch were preferentially degraded. The degradation extent of molecules after acid-alcohol treatment was found directly related to the alternation of internal structure of starch granule. The λ_max and blue value of both waxy and normal corn starches after treated also obviously decreased with the increasing carbon number of alcohol, while the solubility of starch profoundly increased after treated. The gelatinization onset temperature (T_o) of acid-alcohol treated waxy corn starch decreased with the increasing carbon number of alcohol, but the treated normal corn starches showed similar T_o values. Despite the alcohol used, the solubility of treated waxy corn starch linearly correlated (r²=0.983) with T/T_o value (T was the measuring temperature used for solubility determination). Whereas, normal corn starch treated in different alcohols showed distinct relations between T/T_o and solubility.     

Formation of starch spherulites: Role of amylose content and thermal events

Commercial maize starches and potato starches of two cultivars differing in physicochemical composition (granule size distribution; amylose to amylopectin ratio) and crystallinity were heated to 180 °C and then cooled by fast quench using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), in order to produce spherulitic starch morphologies. Among the raw maize starches, waxy maize starch had highest relative crystallinity (49%) whereas a lowest crystallinity of 33–39% was calculated for high-amylose maize starches. Potato starches showed a relative crystallinity of 50%. The temperatures and enthalpies of gelatinisation and melting varied among all the starches. High-amylose maize starches showed higher transition temperatures of gelatinisation (T_gel), whereas waxy maize starch had lowest T_gel and enthalpy of gelatinisation (ΔH_gel). Similarly, a considerable variation in parameters related with crystalline melting (T_m1, T_m2 and ΔH_m1, ΔH_m2) was observed for different starches. The superheated gels of different starches treated using DSC were subjected to polarised microscopy, to confirm the formation of spherulites. Both the high-amylose starch gels showed the presence of spherulites exhibiting birefringence and a weak crystalline pattern. No birefringence was observed for waxy maize starch gel, while potato starch gels had some birefringence. The particle size distribution of high-amylose maize starch gels analysed through Zetasizer showed the sizes of spherulitic particles fall in the range of 300 nm–900 nm. The scanning electron micrographs of the dried high-amylose maize starch gels showed the presence of round spherulites consisting of several aggregated spherulitic particles. Amylose content and melting of crystallites during heating play an important role during recrystallisation of amylose (spherulite morphologies).     

Gelatinization Characteristics of Starch from du,wx, ae,and ae wx Endosperm of Sweet Corn Inbred la5125

Starch gelatinization in excess water was studied by differential scanning calorimetry for the mutants dull (du), waxy (wx), and amylose extender (ae), and the double mutant amylose-extender, waxy (ae wx) from the Ia5125 sweet corn inbred background. Onset temperature (T_o), peak temperature (T_max), and enthalpy (ΔH) were determined. For du and wx starches T_max was within 1°C of the value for the normal starch (T_max = 69.4°C). For starches from ae and ae wx mutants, T_max was 7–8°C higher than the normal starch. The highest enthalpies were observed for wx (3.26 cal/g) and ae wx (3.39 cal/g) starches; ae (2.93 cal/g) and normal (2.52 cal/g) starches were intermediate, and du (2.32 cal/g) starch had the lowest enthalpy. The endotherm of the ae starch was completed at just above 100°C, in distinction to reports for ae mutants from dent lines. Although the ae wx endotherm occurred at a higher temperature than the wx, the endotherm was sharpened relative to the ae endotherm, and was complete at 90°C.     

Comparative Studies on Some Physico-chemical, Thermal, Morphological, and Pasting Properties of Acid-thinned Jicama and Maize Starches

Comparative studies on acid hydrolysis of jicama and maize starch were carried out using concentrations of hydrochloric acid of 1.5%, 3.0%, and 4.5% (w/v), for 3 and 6 h, at 40°C. Native maize and jicama starches showed important morphological, thermal, and structural differences from those of tubers and cereals which potentially offer diverse industrial applications. Jicama starch showed low amylose content (12%) and small size of starch granules. Due to these characteristics, jicama starch was more susceptible to degradation during hydrolysis process than maize starch. Under the experimental conditions employed, the acid degradation was not particularly severe, as shown by scanning electronic microscopy analysis which showed small degraded zones and similar X-ray patterns in both starches. However, jicama starch was more susceptible to acid hydrolysis than maize starch, as revealed by the considerable increase in water solubility index, damaged starch, and crystallinity values. Also, the higher susceptibility of jicama starch than maize starch to the hydrolysis conditions was reflected in the sugar content release during hydrolysis. The relative crystallinity of hydrolyzed maize starches decreased during hydrolysis, while those of hydrolyzed jicama starches increased attributable to the lower amylose content of jicama starch in relation to maize starch. Maize and jicama hydrolyzed starches showed low viscosity values with relation to their native starch counterparts. However, native jicama starch showed lower viscosity values than maize starch, suggesting a lower internal stability of the starch granules during hydrolysis. Both native and hydrolyzed maize starches showed higher enthalpy, T _o, T _p, and T _c values than jicama starch and the broadening of the endotherms decreased during the hydrolysis of both starches.     

酸解对不同链/支比含量玉米淀粉特性的影响

以4种不同链/支比含量的玉米淀粉为原料,酸解处理不同时间,以酸解玉米淀粉的形貌特性、冻融稳定性、膨胀度、溶解度、晶体性质为指标衡量不同酸解时间对玉米淀粉结构性质的影响。结果表明:4种玉米淀粉酸水解程度的顺序为:蜡质玉米普通玉米淀粉G50G80。酸解后,同品种的4种玉米淀粉的析水率随着酸解天数的增加而增加;溶解度增加,膨胀度降低。酸解并未改变淀粉的晶型,随着酸解时间的延长,蜡质玉米淀粉和普通玉米的相对结晶度先增大后保持不变,G50和G80的相对结晶度随着酸解时间的增加而增大。表明酸解对低直链淀粉(蜡质玉米淀粉和普通玉米淀粉)的结构、性能影响最大。     

Digestibility and Pasting Properties of Rice Starch Heat‐Moisture Treated at the Melting Temperature (Tm )

Non‐waxy and waxy rice starches adjusted to 20% moisture (wet based, w.b.) were heated in a differential scanning calorimeter to determine the optimum parameters for producing slowly digestible starch (SDS). Starches heated to the temperature of melting (T_m) and held for 60 min in the calorimeter showed a slow digestibility compared to unheated samples. Digestibility decreased by 25 and 10%, respectively, for non‐waxy and waxy rice starches relative to non‐treated starches. Heat‐moisture treatment of waxy corn, non‐waxy corn and wheat starches at the T_m determined for non‐waxy rice starch did not result in significant decreases in digestibility. For waxy rice starches heat‐treated in microwave or conventional ovens at the T_m , there were slight but significant increases in digestibility of the treated starches compared to non‐treated starches at all incubation times. Digestibility was higher for starches heated for 30 min than for 60 min. Non‐waxy rice starches did not show any significant changes in digestibility. Heat‐moisture treatment at the T_m and the holding time of sample at that temperature in a differential scanning calorimeter were found to be significant to the formation of slowly digestible heat‐moisture treated starch.     

Starch from hull-less barley: II. Thermal,rheological and acid hydrolysis characteristics

Gelatinization, granular swelling, amylose leaching, viscosity and acid susceptibility characteristics of starches isolated from 10 hull-less barley (HB) genotypes [zero amylose (CDC Alamo), waxy (CDC candle, SB 94794, SB 94912, and SB 94917), normal amylose (Phoenix, CDC Dawn, SR 93102, and SB 94860) and high amylose (SB 94893 and SB 94897)] were monitored by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), swelling power (SP), solubility, Brabender viscoamylography, and reaction with 2.2 N HCl (at 35 °C), respectively. DSC data showed that T_o, T_p, T_c, T_c–T_o, and ΔH ranged from 50.1–56.1, 58.1–64.5, 71.0–75.8, 17.9–24.0 °C and 9.6–14.2 J/g of amylopectin, respectively. In compound waxy (SB 94917) and compound normal (SR 93102 and SB 94860) starches, T_o and T_c–T_o were lower and higher, respectively, than in the other starches. ΔH followed the order: compound normal>waxy>normal≈zero amylose>high amylose>compound waxy. The SP followed the order: zero amylose>waxy>compound normal>normal>high amylose. A rapid increase in solubility occurred at lower temperatures (<70 °C) for zero amylose HB starch, however, this increase was gradual for the other starches. At 90 °C, solubility followed the order: high amylose>compound normal>normal>waxy. Zero amylose and waxy HB starches exhibited lower pasting temperatures, higher peak viscosities, and higher viscosity breakdown than normal HB starches. The extent of acid hydrolysis followed the order: zero amylose>compound waxy>waxy>normal>compound normal>high amylose. High correlations were observed between physicochemical properties and structural characteristics of HB starches.     

Influence of Heat‐Moisture Treatment and Acid Modifications on Physicochemical,Rheological, Thermal and Morphological Characteristics of Indian Water Chestnut (Trapa natans) Starch and its Application in Biodegradable Films

Water chestnut starch was subjected to acid modification and heat‐moisture treatment. Hydrochloric acid was used for acid modification at three different concentrations (0.25 M, 0.5 M and 1 M) for 2 h. Modifications did not alter the granule morphology. Heat‐moisture treatment (HMT) resulted in slight reduction in the granular size of the starch granules. Acid modification lowered the amylose content, swelling power, water‐ and oil‐binding capacity but improved the solubility of starch to a considerable level. Light transmittance of acid‐modified (AM) starches improved significantly. A significant reduction in peak, trough, final and setback viscosity was observed by acid‐thinning. In case of heat‐moisture treated starch the final viscosity (F_v) was found to be even higher than the peak viscosity (P_v). Native water chestnut starch exhibited a lower onset temperature (T_o) and peak temperature (T_p) of gelatinization than the corresponding acid‐treated starches. Starch films prepared from native starch exhibited excellent pliability, whereas those prepared from AM and HMT starches showed good tensile strength. Starch films prepared from acid‐treated starches provided better puncture and tensile strength.     

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).     

Production of resistant starch from acid-modified amylotype starches with enhanced functional properties

Amylotype corn starches, Hylon V and Hylon VII, were acid-hydrolyzed followed by autoclaving-storing cycles and drying in an oven or freeze-dryer. Molecular weights of the samples decreased with increasing hydrolysis time. Resistant starch (RS) contents of acid-hydrolyzed samples did not differ from those of native starches. RS contents of oven-dried samples were higher than those of freeze-dried samples. Onset (T_O) and peak (T_P) transition temperatures of hydrolysates were lower than those of respective native starches. Autoclaving-storing increased in T_O and T_P and decreased in ΔH values as compared to acid-hydrolyzed starches. Water binding and solubility values of hydrolysates were higher than those of respective native starches. Autoclaved-stored samples had higher water binding and solubility values than those of respective acid-hydrolyzed samples. Acid-hydrolyzed and autoclaved-stored samples increased the emulsion capacity and stability values of albumin. The RVA viscosity values of the autoclaved-stored samples were higher than those of the hydrolysates.     

A comparison of B- and A-type nanoparticles on pressure resistance

Characterizing the waxy maize starch nanoparticles (SNPs) with different crystal types (B- and A-type) under ultra-high pressure (UHP) treatment is important in understanding the processes underpinning starch and starchy food processing. Here, The changes of structural characteristics of SNPs with B- and A-type under UHP treatment were investigated. Compared with B-type nanoparticles, the surface morphology of the A-type nanoparticles was less affected, the gelatinization temperatures (T_o, T_p, T_c) were higher, the enthalpy (∆H) showed a faster reduction, the reduction rate in parameters related to the long-range ordered structure (relative crystallinity, fractal dimension) was lower. This indicated B-type SNPs were more prone to helix-helix dissociation while the double helices from A-type SNPs were inclined to unwind. In general, the pressure resistance of B- and A-type SNPs showed significant difference, which was distinguished from those for native B- and A-type starches.     

Starch–cassia gum interactions: A microstructure – Rheology study

We present for the first time the interactions of starch and cassia gum – a novel galactomannan recently approved for use in food processing. Viscoelastic, pasting and microstructural characterization of various starches (waxy; high amylose; normal; cross-linked waxy corn starch; potato starch) containing different levels of the cassia gum was carried out. Significant changes were observed in the morphology of granule remnants formed during gelatinization in the starch pastes prepared with and without the addition of cassia gum. The freeze-dried starch–cassia gum pastes presented a shrunken and tight arrangement of the starch granule remnants, when studied by scanning electron microscopy. A significant reduction in the granule remnant size was also calculated using laser diffraction particle size analysis. The extent of interaction with cassia gum differed significantly among the various starch types. All the unmodified corn starches recorded an increase in peak viscosity at all levels of the cassia gum addition. An increase in the final viscosity of these starches was also observed by the addition of cassia gum, with high amylose and normal corn starch showing the maximum. Similarly, the extent of breakdown and setback viscosity also differed among the different starch types. Ranges of dynamic rheological measurements (temperature, time and frequency sweeps) were performed within the viscoelastic zones. Rheological parameters, such as storage modulus (G′), loss modulus (G″) and the gelatinization temperature (T_gel), of the corn starches during the heating cycle were observed to increase, when cassia gum was present at lower levels. The starch–gum systems also exhibited higher tan δ values during both the heating and the cooling cycles, indicating the dominance of the viscous modulus. The G′ and G″ of all the corn starch gels containing cassia gum showed higher values throughout the frequency sweep range. However, the increase in G′ and G″ of different starches was not always consistent with the increase in cassia gum levels. The changes in rheological behaviour during storage of the starch gels, aged on the plate of the rheometer and then studied through time sweeps at 5 °C and frequency sweeps at 25 °C, suggested that the starch gels containing cassia gum had less pronounced changes in the rheological parameters than had their control counterparts.     

Physicochemical,Pasting, Thermal and Morphological Characteristics of Indian Water Chestnut (Trapa natans) Starch

Starch extracted from Indian water chestnut was investigated for its physicochemical characteristics. The results were compared with those obtained from two commercial starches (corn and potato). The pasting properties were tested in the Rapid Visco Analyser and thermal properties with a differential scanning calorimeter. Water chestnut starch possessed higher breakdown viscosity (BV) and setback viscosity (SV) than corn and potato starches. However, the pasting temperature of water chestnut starch was not significantly different from that of corn starch. Lower ΔH_gel values were obtained for water chestnut starch than for the other two starches whereas the onset, peak and conclusion temperatures of gelatinization (T_o, T_p and T_c) for water chestnut starch were quite comparable with corn starch. Scanning electron micrographs showed similarity in starch granule shape between water chestnut and potato starch with corn starch showing surface wrinkles on starch granule surfaces.     

Effect of hydroxypropylation on physical and rheological properties of sweet potato starch

Sweet potato starches (SPS) were hydroxypropylated to evaluate the effect of molar substitution (MS, 0.042-0.153) on the rheological properties, thermal properties, freeze-thaw stability, paste clarity, and gel strength of hydroxypropylated sweet potato starches (HPSPS). The swelling power and solubility values of HPSPS were higher than those of native sweet potato starch (SPS) and increased with an increase in MS. The transition temperatures (T_o, T_p, and T_c), and enthalpy (ΔH) of gelatinization of HPSPS were lower than those of native SPS, and significantly decreased with an increase in MS.Rheological properties of HPSPS pastes were measured under the conditions of steady and dynamic shear. Their consistency index (K), apparent viscosity (η_a,100), Casson yield stress (σ_oc), complex viscosity (η*), and dynamic moduli (G′ and G″) values decreased with an increase in MS, while their flow behavior index (n) and tan δ (ratio of G″/G′) values increased. The dependence of apparent viscosity on temperature followed the Arrhenius model for all samples. The paste clarity of HPSPS paste was more pronounced with increasing MS of hydroxypropyl groups. The HPSPS gels showed lower gel strength and also better freeze-thaw stability with a significant decrease in syneresis (g/100 g) compared to native SPS.     

Impact of mild acid hydrolysis on structure and digestion properties of waxy maize starch

In this study, the molecular structure of acid-treated waxy maize starch residues was investigated, and the in vitro digestibility of the residues with 2.2 N HCl at 35 °C for different time periods, was assessed. The granular appearance of waxy maize starch was destroyed and small fractions formed aggregates. A change in chain-length distribution profiles occurred with the degradation of shortest A chains and long B chains in amylopectin. The rise in the ratio of absorbance height at 1047 cm⁻¹ to the height at 1022 cm⁻¹, the intensities of major peaks, X_c, T_p, T_c, and ΔH were observed during mild acid hydrolysis, but the X-ray diffraction patterns displayed A-type for all starches. The amount of rapidly digestible starch increased, whereas the amounts of slowly digestible and resistant starch decreased. These results demonstrate that the amorphous regions of starch granules, including the shortest A chains and long B chains, are preferentially hydrolysed and affect the slow digestion and resistance properties of waxy maize starch.     

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.     

Comparison of Thermal and Viscoelastic Properties of Four Waxy Starches and the Effect of Added Surfactant

The waxy starches used in this investigation (maize (WM), barley (WB) and two rice starches RD4 and IR29) showed different gelatinization temperatures (GT) and enthalpies (ΔH_G) measured with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The differences in GT and ΔH_G could only partially be related to X-ray crystallinity. The high GT waxy starches WM and RD4 retrograded to a greater extent measured with DSC and the order of increased retrogradation agreed well with the order of X-ray crystallinity of the retrograded waxy starches. The melting temperature (T_C) of the retrograded waxy starches in contrast to GT was very similar for all starches. This indicates that the temperature of the glass transition (T_g) of the amorphous regions in the starch granules controlled the onset GT and perhaps also the extent of retrogradation. Addition of cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) decreased the extent of retrogradation more than 45% compared to the melting enthalpy (ΔH_C) of the waxy starches without CTAB addition. The rice starch RD4 was most affected by the CTAB addition, and the WM starch the least. The viscoelastic behaviour in the temperature interval 25–90°C of 12%(w/w) gels differed between the waxy starches. The WB starch gels showed the highest storage modulus (G′) value and the lowest phase angle (δ), i. e. strongest and least viscous gels. The WM starch gels showed the lowest G′ value and the highest δ. The rice starches were in between with the RC4 starch (high GT) showing higher G′ value and lower δ than the IR29 (low GT). The viscoelastic parameters changed only slightly with increased temperature. The addition of CTAB to the waxy starch gels changed the viscoelastic behaviour of the stronger and less viscous starch gels of the WB and RD4 as their G′ value decreased and δ increased with increased temperature. The effect on WM and IR29 was only small.     

The suitability of barley and corn starches in their native and chemically modified forms for volatile meat flavor encapsulation

In order to minimize the evaporative flavor loss and to improve flavor stability, the encapsulation potential of native corn and barley starches [waxy corn starch (CW), regular corn starch (CR), waxy barley starch (BW), regular barley starch (BR)] and their chemically modified counterparts (succinylated starches: CWS; CRS; BWS; BRS and octenyl succinylated starches: CWOS; CROS; BWOS; BROS) were investigated. Four different types of synthetic flavors, namely benzaldehyde, dimethyl trisulfide, 2-mercaptopropionic acid and benzothiazole, were selected. Succinylated corn and barley starches were more effective than the native starches and octenyl succinylated starches in the flavor retention. Succinylated regular starches (CRS and BRS), in particular, showed better retention ability than waxy starches. As compared to β-cyclodextrin (βCD, which is a widely used wall material in the microencapsulation of essential oils or flavors), the succinylated regular starches showed better flavor retention capabilities. Benzaldehyde and benzothiazole were retained to a higher extent by all starches (native and modified) as compared to dimethyl trisulfide and 2-mercaptopropionic acid (as measured just after preparation). None of the starches (native or modified) showed substantial decreases in flavor retention during their 4-week storage at 50 °C. In contrast, βCD showed a rapid decrease in flavor retention during the first 2 weeks of storage (from 88 to 49%) and the amount reached ∼45% at the end of 4 weeks. Also, the flavor retained by succinylated starches, based on extraction of volatile flavors in headspace, were higher than those of native and octenyl succinylated starches. CRS and BRS were noticeably superior to others. Findings showed that all starches investigated are potential wall materials for microencapsulation of volatile flavors with CRS and BRS being the best.     

Effect of Aqueous Ethanol Cationization on Functional Properties of Normal and Waxy Starches

Cationic starch ethers of normal and waxy corn, normal and waxy barley and normal pea starch were prepared by an aqueous alcoholic process for evaluation of their functional properties as compared to the native starch controls. The native starches exhibited a wide range in average granule size (10–21 μm diameter), amylose content (0–34%) and swelling power (13–31). Cationization to degrees of substitution (DS) of 0.030–0.035 with 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride resulted in marked increases in swelling power of all starches, with little corresponding increases in starch solubility. Cationization also decreased the onset of endothermic transitions and pasting temperatures quite substantially, and promoted the development of sharp peak viscosities in the amylographs of all normal and waxy starches, including that of pea starch. Final cold viscosities of the cationic starches exhibited positive setbacks, and the cooked starch gels, after storage for 7 days at 4°C and −15°C, showed no syneresis. All cationic starches except for waxy corn were more susceptible to α-amylase hydrolysis than native control starches. The general improvement in functional properties, especially in the waxy corn, waxy barley and pea starches, due to the aqueous alcoholic-alkaline cationization process would greatly enhance their industrial applications.