Effect of Heat Treatments on Microbial Load and Associated Changes to β‐Glucan Physicochemical Properties in Whole Grain Barley

Health claims for barley β‐glucan (BG) have prompted the development of food products containing barley; however, some new products (such as milled grain used without a cook step, as in a smoothie) do not use any form of heat treatment during processing or prior to consumption, which could affect microbial safety and potential health benefits. The aims of this research were to evaluate current commercial barley products for microbial counts and BG characteristics and to determine the effects of different heat treatments on these attributes in whole grain barley samples. Three heat treatments (micronization, roasting, and conditioning) were performed on three cultivars of barley (CDC Rattan, CDC McGwire, and CDC Fibar). The microbial quality was measured with standard plate count (SPC), mold and yeast count (MYC), and coliforms or Escherichia coli . Only four of the 17 commercial barley products tested met acceptable microbial limits used in this study. All three heat treatments applied to the barley samples in this study reduced SPC, MYC, and coliforms to an acceptable level. BG was extracted with an in vitro digestion method to determine its viscosity, molecular weight (MW), and solubility. All three heat treatments produced BG extracts with high viscosity and MW compared with untreated barley. Overall, heat treatments improved both the safety and the potential health benefits from soluble BG in whole grain barley.     

Barley grain constituents, starch composition, and structure affect starch in vitro enzymatic hydrolysis

The relationship between starch physical properties and enzymatic hydrolysis was determined using ten different hulless barley genotypes with variable carbohydrate composition. The ten barley genotypes included one normal starch (CDC McGwire), three increased amylose starches (SH99250, SH99073, and SB94893), and six waxy starches (CDC Alamo, CDC Fibar, CDC Candle, Waxy Betzes, CDC Rattan, and SB94912). Total starch concentration positively influenced thousand grain weight (TGW) (r(2) = 0.70, p < 0.05). Increase in grain protein concentration was not only related to total starch concentration (r(2) = -0.80, p < 0.01) but also affected enzymatic hydrolysis of pure starch (r(2) = -0.67, p < 0.01). However, an increase in amylopectin unit chain length between DP 12-18 (F-II) was detrimental to starch concentration (r(2) = 0.46, p < 0.01). Amylose concentration influenced granule size distribution with increased amylose genotypes showing highly reduced volume percentage of very small C-granules (<5 μm diameter) and significantly increased (r(2) = 0.83, p < 0.01) medium sized B granules (5-15 μm diameter). Amylose affected smaller (F-I) and larger (F-III) amylopectin chains in opposite ways. Increased amylose concentration positively influenced the F-III (DP 19-36) fraction of longer DP amylopectin chains (DP 19-36) which was associated with resistant starch (RS) in meal and pure starch samples. The rate of starch hydrolysis was high in pure starch samples as compared to meal samples. Enzymatic hydrolysis rate both in meal and pure starch samples followed the order waxy > normal > increased amylose. Rapidly digestible starch (RDS) increased with a decrease in amylose concentration. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis revealed a higher polydispersity index of amylose in CDC McGwire and increased amylose genotypes which could contribute to their reduced enzymatic hydrolysis, compared to waxy starch genotypes. Increased β-glucan and dietary fiber concentration also reduced the enzymatic hydrolysis of meal samples. An average linkage cluster analysis dendrogram revealed that variation in amylose concentration significantly (p < 0.01) influenced resistant starch concentration in meal and pure starch samples. RS is also associated with B-type granules (5-15 μm) and the amylopectin F-III (19-36 DP) fraction. In conclusion, the results suggest that barley genotype SH99250 with less decrease in grain weight in comparison to that of other increased amylose genotypes (SH99073 and SH94893) could be a promising genotype to develop cultivars with increased amylose grain starch without compromising grain weight and yield.     

Drought‐Proofing Barley (Hordeum vulgare): The Effects of Stay Green on Starch and Amylose Structure

The identification of the plant physiological trait called stay green (SG) was first identified in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench), followed by other cereals, including barley. The effects of this drought tolerance trait on starch biosynthesis, structure, and properties have not been extensively investigated. Using size‐exclusion chromatography, the impact of SG expression on starch molecular structure in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) under heat‐ and water‐stress conditions was examined. Differences were found in total starch and amylose contents within and between the treatments. The chain‐length distribution of the amylose in a heat‐stressed doubled haploid, ND24260 × Flagship population expressing SG showed significant differences (P < 0.05), whereas no such differences were observed in the water‐stressed samples. However, significant differences (P < 0.05) in protein content were observed corresponding to SG expression, with higher levels of SG expression having higher protein content. These differences in composition and starch structure could influence functional properties. Understanding physiological responses in plants to abiotic stress and its impact on grain quality and starch biosynthesis may allow for the future manipulation of plants to improve drought tolerance, while maintaining desirable grain quality and yield potential.     

Effect of Barley Flour on Development of Rice‐Based Extruded Snacks

This study was conducted to develop a ready‐to‐eat extruded food using a single‐screw laboratory extruder. Blends of Indian barley and rice were used as the ingredients for extrusion. The effect of extrusion variables and barley‐to‐rice ratio on properties like expansion ratio, bulk density, water absorption index, hardness, β‐glucan, L*, a*, b* values, and pasting characteristics of extruded products were studied. A central composite rotatable design was used to evaluate the effects of operating variables: die temperature (150–200°C), initial feed moisture content (20–40%), screw speed (90–110 rpm), and barley flour (10–30%) on properties like expansion ratio, bulk density, water absorption index (WAI), hardness, β‐glucan, L*, a*, b* values, and sensory and pasting characteristics of extruded products. Die temperature >175°C and feed moisture <30% resulted in a steep increase in expansion ratio and a decrease in bulk density. Barley flour content of 10% and feed moisture content of <20% resulted in an increased hardness value. When barley flour content was 30–40% and feed moisture content was <20%, a steep increase in the WAI was noticed. Viscosity values of extruded products were far less than those of corresponding unprocessed counterparts as evaluated. Rapid visco analysis indicated that the extruded blend starches were partially pregelatinized as a result of the extrusion process. Sensory scores indicated that barley flour content at 20%, feed moisture content at 30%, and die temperature at 175°C resulted in an acceptable product. The prepared product was roasted in oil using a particular spice mix and its sensory and nutritional properties were studied.     

Lower 30 Minute Serum Insulin in Healthy Sprague‐Dawley Rats Consuming Chips from Specific Barley Flour Blends

Consumption of whole grains such as barley is known to inversely correlate with insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic diseases. However, data from randomized controlled trials in humans have not produced consistent results. Compositional differences between foods produced from different whole grains are likely to be a main reason for these discrepancies. The purpose of this study was to determine if varying barley flour composition achieved through milling influenced the postprandial glucose and insulin response. Specifically, this study aimed to test barley foods in the form of chips with very low hydration, thereby mimicking human snack foods. Fasted rats (N = 39) were randomized to one of four barley treatments, all produced from a single variety, Hordeum vulgare L. ‘CDC Fibar.’ The treatments used were straight‐grade flour (SGF), whole grain flour (WGF), bran flour with high β‐glucan (BF‐BG), bran flour with high insoluble dietary fiber, and wheat flour (WF) as the control. Blood was sampled over 120 min following treatment consumption to measure postprandial glucose and insulin concentrations. Our data showed that although there were no substantial glycemic or insulin effects following one‐time consumption of barley tortilla chips with specific compositions, those rats consuming WGF, SGF, or BF‐BG tended to have lower 30 min serum insulin concentrations compared with those rats consuming WF.     

Effect of Dry Heating on Physicochemical Properties of Pregelatinized Rice Starch

Japonica and indica rice starches (10% w/w) were pregelatinized in a boiling water bath for 5 or 10 min and subsequently heat‐treated in a dry state for 0, 1, 2, or 3 h at 130°C to examine the effects of dry heating on pasting viscosity, paste clarity, thermal properties, X‐ray diffraction pattern, and gel strength of pregelatinized starches. Heat treatment obviously changed the physicochemical properties of pregelatinized rice starch. The pregelatinized rice starches had higher peak viscosity and final viscosity than the corresponding native rice starches. Heat treatment of pregelatinized rice starch for 1 h increased the peak viscosity, but treatment for 2 or 3 h decreased the peak viscosity compared with the unheated pregelatinized rice starch. The indica rice starch exhibited more substantial changes in pasting viscosity than did japonica rice starch during heat treatment. The melting enthalpy of the endothermic peak occurred at 90–110°C, and the intensity of the X‐ray diffraction peak at 20° was increased by dry heating, possibly owing to the enhanced amylose‐lipid complexes. The dry heat treatment of pregelatinized starch caused an increase in paste clarity and a decrease in gel strength.     

Gelatinizing,Pasting, and Gelling Properties of Potato and Amaranth Starch Mixtures

Physicochemical properties of mixtures of native potato and native amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus), heat‐moisture treated (HMT) potato and heat‐moisture treated amaranth, cross‐linked potato and cross‐linked amaranth, native potato and heat‐moisture treated amaranth, and heat‐moisture treated potato, and native amaranth were tested at different ratios. Two peaks were noticed in the pasting curves when large differences of swelling factor and amylose leaching existed between individual components in the mixture. It seems that amylose leaching from one starch in a mixture may affect the swelling and much of the granular break down of the other. The mixtures showed stabilities in hot pastes that were higher than the less stable components in a mixture. Some mixtures such as HMT potato and native amaranth showed very specific nonadditive pasting behavior. Mixing 10% of native amaranth to HMT potato starch caused a large reduction of peak viscosity and cold paste viscosity, resulting in a very soft gel. In the differential scanning calorimeter, each component of a mixture gelatinized independently, showing two peaks corresponding to the individual components. When transition temperatures of both components were similar in DSC, the result was a single endotherm. Dramatic changes of pasting and subsequent gel properties resulted when thermal transition of the two components occurred in the same temperature range. Retrogradation enthalpies as measured by DSC were between the two individual components in all tested mixtures.     

Starch Damage and Pasting Properties of Rice Flours Produced by Dry Jet Grinding

Milling method and particle size affect some properties of rice flour. To prepare ultra‐fine rice flour of <30 μm, hammer and dry jet grinding methods were examined and the effect of particle size on starch damage and pasting properties of the flour were elucidated. A jet mill could make finer flour (<10 μm mean size) with a narrower particle size distribution than a hammer mill could. Starch damage increased dramatically at a mean size of <10 μm. Particles of a similar size (<60 μm) had different levels of starch damage between mills. Not only the particle size, but also the milling method affected the level of damaged starch. Flour samples of ≥45 μm mean size had similar viscosity curves, but samples of <20 μm had different curves. Peak viscosity and final viscosity decreased sharply at <10 μm. Setback viscosity for particles of 3 μm from both brown rice and white rice were higher than the peak viscosity. Stability to heat and shearing stress were decreased for <20 μm flours as the breakdown viscosities decreased. Starch damage and pasting properties of flour ground from the nonwaxy japonica cultivar Koshihikari changed dramatically at a mean size of <10 μm.     

Comparison of Flour Starch Properties in Half‐Sib Families of Opaque‐2 Maize (Zea mays L.) from Argentina

Since the discovery of the o2 mutation in maize, many studies have reported the characterization of the protein quality of opaque‐2 genotypes. However, few have reported the properties of their starch. The objective of this study was to characterize flour starch properties of 12 half‐sib families of opaque‐2 maize from Argentina. Chemical composition and thermal and pasting properties of whole grain flour were determined. Nonopaque genotypes were used as a control. Starch content of opaque‐2 genotypes did not show significant differences compared with nonopaque genotypes, yet amylose content was significantly lower. A high variability in pasting and thermal properties was observed in genotypes. Opaque samples showed a significantly higher peak viscosity and a lower pasting temperature compared with nonopaque samples, probably owing to larger and less compact starch granules in the floury endosperm. The higher the gelatinization enthalpy of opaque‐2 genotypes was, the lower the amylose content in relation to nonopaque varieties. Two retrogradation endotherms were observed in DSC analysis: one corresponding to amylopectin crystallization and the other to melting of amylose‐lipid complex. Both enthalpies were considered total starch retrogradation (ΔH _RT). A wide range of variation was obtained in ΔH _RT in opaque‐2 genotypes, but no significant differences between opaque and nonopaque genotypes were observed. The differences in starch properties found in this study would make it possible to identify opaque‐2 families with particular characteristics for the development of starchy food items adapted to specific processing traits.     

Starch Pasting and Textural Attributes of Elbow Macaroni as Impacted by Dough Moisture,Dough Mixing Time,and Macaroni Cooking Time

The effects of dough moisture, mixing time, and cooking time on uncooked and cooked elbow macaroni by means of starch pasting and macaroni textural characteristics were investigated. In conventional elbow macaroni production, cooking time was found to have significant contributions to cooked macaroni starch pasting properties, indicating that degree of starch cook dependent on cooking time was the main influence on cooked macaroni starch pasting phenomena. Dough moisture also showed some significant (P < 0.05) relationships with cooked macaroni starch pasting properties; however, mixing time did not show significant effect. Cooked macaroni starch pasting properties showed significantly (P < 0.05) high correlations with cooked macaroni firmness and stickiness. Cooking time was the only major variable contributing to variations in cooked elbow macaroni starch and consequently in pasting and texture characteristics. Cooking time was highly related to firmness and stickiness of cooked elbow macaroni (P < 0.0001, R² = 0.8148; P < 0.0001, R² = 0.6215, respectively). In addition, dough moisture had a slight significant (P < 0.05) effect on cooked elbow macaroni firmness and stickiness. Cooked elbow macaroni firmness and stickiness were found to be highly correlated (P = 0.0001, R² = 0.8459). Increases in firmness increased cooked elbow macaroni stickiness. As a result, when elbow macaroni was cooked for shorter times, firmer and stickier macaroni was obtained.     

Associations of Starch Gel Hardness,Granule Size,Waxy Allelic Expression,Thermal Pasting,Milling Quality,and Kernel Texture of 12 Soft Wheat Cultivars

Starches were isolated from 12 soft wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars and were characterized for waxy (Wx) allelic expression, thermal pasting characteristics, and starch granule size. Gels were produced from the thermally degraded starches and were evaluated using large deformation rheological measurements. Data were compared with cultivar kernel texture, milling characteristics, starch chemical analyses, and flour pasting characteristics. Larger flour yields were produced from cultivars that had larger starch granules. Flour yield also was correlated with lower amylose content and greater starch content. Harder starch gels were correlated with higher levels of amylose content and softer kernel texture. The cultivar Fillmore, which had a partial waxy mutation at the B locus, produced the highest peak pasting viscosity and the lowest gel hardness. Softer textured wheats had greater lipid‐complexed amylose and starch phosphorus contents and had less total starch content. Among these wheats of the soft market class, softer textured wheats had larger starch granules and harder textured wheats had smaller starch granules. In part, this may explain why soft wheats vary in texture. The smaller granules have larger surface area available for noncovalent bonding with the endosperm protein matrix and they also may pack more efficiently, producing harder endosperm.     

Retardation of Discoloration in Barley Flour Gel and Dough

Dark discoloration negatively influences the aesthetic properties of barley‐based food products. The effects of abrasion and heat treatment of grains, exclusion of oxygen, and the use of antibrowning agents on the retardation of darkening in barley flour gel or dough were determined in four types of barley, including hulled proanthocyanidin‐containing and hulled proanthocyanidin‐free, hulless regular, and hulless waxy barley. Abrasion by >30% in hulled barley and by >15% in hulless barley significantly increased the brightness (L*) of barley flour dough by 0.1–7.1. Steam heating of abraded grains also significantly increased the L* of barley flour gels by 1.8–3.4. Ascorbic acid at 1,500 ppm was most effective for retarding discoloration of barley flour dough, followed by 50 ppm of 4‐hexylresorcinol, which is an enzyme competitive inhibitor. The discoloration of barley flour dough was also effectively reduced by storing the dough sheets at 4°C under nitrogen gas to exclude oxygen or under anaerobic conditions at 20°C. Discoloration of barley‐based food products may be effectively controlled by selecting genotypes with low discoloration development such as proanthocyanidin‐free genotypes, by lowering total polyphenol content or polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity through abrasion, by heat treatment, by exclusion of oxygen, and by the use of enzyme inhibitors.     

Effects of a Novel Barley,Himalaya 292, on Rheological and Breadmaking Properties of Wheat and Barley Doughs

A barley mutant with high‐amylose starch, Himalaya 292, combines the potential cholesterol reducing effects of barley with the gastrointestinal benefits of high‐amylose resistant starches. Himalaya 292 has alterations in the content and composition of a range of grain constituents, thus conditions for successful addition to foods need to be defined. In this study, the rheological and breadmaking properties of doughs prepared by combining wheat flours (with various gluten protein compositions) with various barley genotypes (Himalaya 292 and the control cultivars Himalaya and Torrens) have been determined. The effects of barley addition on the rheological properties of the admixtures differed. While addition of Himalaya 292 increased the strength and reduced the extensibility of admixture doughs, addition of the Himalaya and Torrens barley flours to the wheat flours reduced both strength and extensibility. The addition of Himalaya and Torrens barley flour reduced water absorption levels. However, addition of Himalaya 292 whole grain flour increased the water absorption of the admixtures significantly (P < 0.01). The baking data showed that selection of an appropriate wheat flour with a combination of strength and extensibility allows higher levels of incorporation of barley, facilitating an increased delivery per serving of constituents with positive health attributes in β‐glucan and resistant starch.     

Properties of Starches from Near‐Isogenic Wheat Lines with Different Wx Protein Deficiencies

To determine the effect of amylose content on the starch properties, the amylose content, pasting properties, swelling power, enzymatic digestibility, and thermal properties of partial and perfect waxy types along with their wild‐type parent were analyzed. As expected, amylose content decreases differently in response to the loss of each Wx gene, showing the least response to Wx‐A1a. Most of the characteristics, except the thermal properties of the amylose‐lipid complex in differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), differed significantly among the tested types. Furthermore, the breakdown, setback, and pasting temperatures from the Rapid Visco Analyser (RVA) and the enzymatic digestibility, swelling power, peak temperature, and enthalpy of starch gelatinization from DSC showed a correlation with the amylose content. The relationships between the peak viscosity from the RVA and the onset temperature of starch gelatinization determined by DSC with amylose content of the tested materials were not clear. Waxy starch, which has no amylose, showed a contrasting behavior in starch gelatinization compared with nonwaxy starches. Among the nonwaxy starches, lower setback, lower pasting temperature, higher enzyme digestibility, higher peak temperature, higher enthalpy of starch gelatinization, and higher swelling were generally associated with low amylose starches.     

Properties and Structures of Flours and Starches from Whole,Broken, and Yellowed Rice Kernels in a Model Study

The objective of this study was to compare the structure and properties of flours and starches from whole, broken, and yellowed rice kernels that were broken or discolored in the laboratory. Physicochemical properties including pasting, gelling, thermal properties, and X‐ray diffraction patterns were determined. Structure was elucidated using high‐performance size‐exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) and high‐performance anion‐exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC‐PAD). The yellowed rice kernels contained a slightly higher protein content and produced a significantly lower starch yield than did the whole or broken rice kernels. Flour from the yellowed rice kernels had a significantly higher pasting temperature, higher Brabender viscosities, increased damaged starch content, reduced amylose content, and increased gelatinization temperature and enthalpy compared with flours from the whole or the broken rice kernels. However, all starches showed similar pasting, gelling, thermal properties, and X‐ray diffraction patterns, and no structural differences could be detected among different starches by HPSEC and HPAEC‐PAD. α‐Amylase may be responsible for the decreased amylopectin fraction, decreased apparent amylose content, and increased amounts of low molecular weight saccharides in the yellowed rice flour. The increased amount of reducing sugars from starch hydrolysis promoted the interaction between starch and protein. The alkaline‐soluble fraction during starch isolation is presumed to contribute to the difference in pasting, gelling, and thermal properties among whole, broken, and yellowed rice flours.     

Composition and Quality of Wheat Grown Under Different Shoot and Root Temperatures During Maturation

Diminished quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) from high temperature during maturation is usually attributed to direct effects of the stress on the shoots or grain. However, the upper soil temperature approaches the air temperature, and roots are highly sensitive and interact profoundly with other plant parts. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of differential shoot and root temperatures on quality of hard red spring wheat (cv. Len). Plants were grown in hydroponic containers at 15/10°C day/night until 10 days after anthesis, when shoot/root treatments of 15/15°C, 15/30°C, 30/15°C, and 30/30°C were imposed until the grain ripened. Both high shoot and high root temperature affected quality of the grain. Kernel size and weight were diminished more by high root than by high shoot temperature, but flour yield was decreased significantly only by the 30/30°C treatment. The percentage of starch in B granules was reduced by high shoot temperature, and the diameter of A granules was decreased by all heat treatments. Amylose concentration was increased by high temperatures of both shoot and root, resulting in decreased pasting characteristics. Flour protein increased after all heat treatments, but high shoot temperature decreased the polymer‐to‐monomer ratio and unextractable polymeric protein and it affected dough mixing. We concluded that stress on roots directly affects properties of the grain that are important for milling and baking.     

Physicochemical Properties of Zero Amylose Hull-less Barley Starch

Zero amylose starch isolated from hull-less barley (HB) showed a typical A-type diffraction pattern. The X-ray analysis suggested that granules of zero amylose (SB94794) and 5% amylose (CDC Candle) HB starches had lower crystallinity than did commercial waxy corn starch. Differential scanning calorimetry showed lower transition temperatures and endothermal enthalpies for the HB starches than for the waxy corn starch. The zero amylose HB starch showed a Brabender pasting curve similar to that of waxy corn starch, but with lower pasting and peak temperatures and a higher peak viscosity. Noteworthy characteristics of zero amylose HB starch were its low pasting temperature and high paste clarity and freezethaw stability, which make this starch useful for many food and industrial applications.     

Influence of Jet‐Cooking Prowashonupana Barley Flour on Phenolic Composition,Antioxidant Activities,and Viscoelastic Properties

The objective was to study the influence of jet‐cooked Prowashonupana barley flour on total phenolic contents, antioxidant activities, water‐holding capacities, and viscoelastic properties. Barley flour was jet‐cooked without or with pH adjustment at 7, 9, or 11. Generally, the free phenolic content and antioxidant activity decreased after jet‐cooking, while the bound phenolic content and antioxidant significantly increased regardless of pH. Detectable levels of gallic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, and p‐coumaroyl‐pentose in the jet‐cooked barley flour hydrolysates along with vitexin were found among 21 phenolics by LC‐ESI‐Q‐TOF‐MS analysis. Jet‐cooking at an elevated pH resulted in increased pasting viscosities. The oil content was decreased after jet‐cooking and continued to decrease with increased pH values. Jet cooking dramatically increased water holding capacity from 179% for unprocessed flour to 643% for jet‐cooked flour without pH adjustment, and water‐holding capacity was greatly increased to 914% by jet‐cooking at pH 11. The combination of jet‐cooking and pH adjustment had tremendous influence on water‐holding and pasting properties. This increase in functionality should contribute to food applications such as bakery and frozen products because of the release of the bound phenolic content, antioxidant activities, and improved water‐holding and pasting abilities.     

Gelatinization,Pasting, and Gelling Properties of Sweetpotato and Wheat Starch Blends

Sweetpotato starch is high yielding but has very limited uses. It is possible to expand its application by blending it with other starches to obtain novel properties. In this study, functional properties of the blends of native sweetpotato starch with native, acid‐thinned, and hydroxypropylated wheat starch were studied at different ratios (75:25, 50:50, 25:75). The swelling factor, extent of amylose leaching, pasting, and gel textural properties of the blends were nonadditive of their individual components, and could be mathematically modeled by quadratic equations in relation to the ratios. Two peaks during pasting were observed for some starch mixtures studied by Rapid ViscoAnalyser (RVA). The gelatinization and retrogradation enthalpies (ΔH) of the blends were additive of their individual components and could be modeled by linear equations. All starch mixtures exhibited two peaks during differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) scan for gelatinization, but a single peak for retrograded starches. This study may provide basis for formulation of mixtures using starch from diverse sources to develop more natural starch systems with a range of physicochemical properties.     

Albumin Significantly Affects Pasting and Textural Characteristics of Rice Flour

The influence of albumin on the pasting and rheological properties of rice flour was investigated. Albumin was removed from the flour of three rice cultivars (Amaroo, Opus, and Langi) by water extraction and the pasting profile of the albumin‐depleted flour was analyzed using the Rapid ViscoAnalyser (RVA). Removal of albumin resulted in a significant (P < 0.5) decline in all the pasting parameters measured. When the extracted albumin was added to pure rice starch, exactly opposite trends occurred. The concentration of albumin in rice starch had a positive linear relationship with all pasting parameters measured. When the gels formed after RVA analyses were analyzed using the TA‐TX2 texture analyzer, the concentration of albumin had a positive linear relationship with hardness, but a near linear negative relationship with adhesiveness. The presence of albumin in rice starch slowed the uptake of water by starch in the initial stages of cooking, but the water uptake accelerated in later stages, and the final water absorption was higher in the samples containing albumin than in pure starch. The water‐soluble nature of albumin suggests that protein‐water‐starch interactions could be responsible for its effect on the physical properties of rice.