Effect of Flour‐Blasting Brown Rice on Reduction of Cooking Time and Resulting Texture

Long‐grain nonparboiled, long‐grain parboiled, and American basmati‐type brown rice were bombarded with parboiled rice flour particles to create microperforations on the water‐resistant outer layer of the kernels. These microperforations in the treated rice significantly increased the rate of hydration. Optimum conditions to produce microperforations without removal of the bran included air pressure maintained at 413 kPa and a parboiled rice flour average particle size of 124 μm. The optimum blasting time was 40–60 sec, depending on the type of rice. The relative hardness of the fully cooked flour‐blasted rice was the same at half the cooking time of the untreated brown rice but % water absorption of the untreated flour‐blasted brown rice was higher because it required longer time to cook. Overall, untreated brown rice was ≈4.7% higher in % water absorption due to longer cooking time in comparison with the treated counterpart. The blasting treatment resulted in shorter cooking time and firmer and less gummy cooked rice as compared to freshly cooked untreated brown rice.     

Effect of Ultrasonic Treatment of Brown Rice at Different Temperatures on Cooking Properties and Quality

This research studied developing quick cooking brown rice by investigating the effect of ultrasonic treatment at different temperatures on cooking time and quality. The medium grain brown rice was ultrasonically treated in water at temperatures of 25, 40, and 55°C for 30 min and then dried by air at 25°C to its initial moisture content (11.0 ± 0.6%, wb) before cooking. The microstructure of rice kernel surface, chemical composition, and optimal cooking time of treated brown rice were determined. The pasting and thermal properties and chemical structure of flour and starch from treated brown rice were also examined. The results showed that the optimal cooking times were 37, 35, and 33 min after treatment at 25, 40, and 55°C, respectively, compared to the control of 39.6 min. The ultrasonic treatment resulted in a loss in natural morphology of rice bran, allowing water to be absorbed by a rice kernel easily, particularly at high‐temperature treatment. Even through rice flour still maintained an A‐pattern in the pasting properties, the crystallinity significantly increased after treatment at 55°C. Ultrasonic treatment increased the peak, hold, and final viscosities and decreased the onset temperature (T_o) and peak temperature (T_p), significantly. Thus, ultrasonic treatment could be used for reducing cooking time of brown rice.     

Changes in Germination and Physiochemical Properties of Transgenic cry1Ab/cry1Ac Gene Rice During Long‐Term Storage

The changes in germination, free fatty acid (FFA), and viscosity of the transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) rice expressing the cry1Ab/cry1Ac gene and its associated Bt protein were observed at three‐month intervals during 24 months of storage at ambient temperature and relative humidity. After nine months of storage, FFA of transgenic Bt rice was significantly lower than that of nontransgenic rice, while germination was significantly higher. Rates of change of FFA and germination in transgenic rice were lower than in nontransgenic rice. The content of Bt protein in the husk and in the brown rice both decreased 80% during 24 months of storage. Our observations suggest that transgenic Bt rice used in this study had long‐term storability.     

Physicochemical Properties and In Vitro Starch Digestibility of Cooked Rice from Commercially Available Cultivars in Canada

The influence of amylose content, cooking, and storage on starch structure, thermal behaviors, pasting properties, and rapidly digestible starch (RDS), slowly digestible starch (SDS), and resistant starch (RS) in different commercial rice cultivars was investigated. Long grain rice with high‐amylose content had a higher gelatinization temperature and a lower gelatinization enthalpy than the other rice cultivars with intermediate amylose content (Arborio and Calrose) and waxy type (glutinous). The intensity ratio of 1047/1022 cm^–1 determined by Fourier Transform Infrared (FT‐IR), which indicated the ordered structure in starch granules, was the highest in glutinous and the lowest in long grain. Results from Rapid ViscoAnalyser (RVA) showed that the rice cultivar with higher amylose content had lower peak viscosity and breakdown, but higher pasting temperature, setback, and final viscosity. The RDS content was 28.1, 38.6, 41.5, and 57.5% in long grain, Arborio, Calrose, and glutinous rice, respectively, which was inversely related to amylose content. However, the SDS and RS contents were positively correlated with amylose content. During storage of cooked rice, long grain showed a continuous increase in pasting viscosity, while glutinous exhibited the sharp cold‐water swelling peak. The retrogradation rate was greater in rice cultivars with high amylose content. The ratio of 1047/1022 cm^–1 was substantially decreased by cooking and then increased during storage of cooked rice due to the crystalline structure, newly formed by retrogradation. Storage of cooked rice decreased RDS content and increased SDS content in all rice cultivars. However, no increase in RS content during storage was observed. The enthalpy for retrogradation and the intensity ratio 1047/1022 cm^–1 during storage were correlated negatively with RDS and positively with SDS (P ≤ 0.01).     

Physicochemical Properties of Flours that Relate to Sorghum Couscous Quality

Flours from eight sorghum cultivars were evaluated for their couscous-making ability with the objective of finding predictive relationships between flour physicochemical properties and couscous quality. Chemical composition, physical characteristics, and pasting and gelatinization properties of the flours were determined. A laboratory procedure was used to prepare couscous. Couscous properties were evaluated and compared to a laboratory-prepared and a commercial durum wheat couscous. Hard grain produced flours containing a high proportion of coarse particles with low ash and high damaged starch content and yielded a higher proportion of desirable sorghum couscous granules. A variety of colors ranging from brown to yellow were obtained when flours were processed into couscous. Cooked sorghum couscous stickiness was positively correlated (r = 0.89, P < 0.01) with the amount of damaged starch in flour. Cooked couscous hardness correlated positively (r = 0.79, P < 0.05) with apparent amylose content of flour and correlated negatively (r = -0.75, P < 0.05) with flour peak viscosity. Durum wheat couscous was lighter and had more yellow color than sorghum couscous. Sorghum couscous was stickier and harder than durum wheat couscous. Addition of 2% oil to the cooking water considerably improved the texture of some sorghum couscous to a level comparable to that of durum wheat couscous.     

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) Flour Pasting Properties Influenced by Free Fatty Acids and Protein

A second unusually high viscosity peak appeared at the cooling stage (50°C) of a Rapid Visco‐Analyser (RVA) profile of short‐term stored (two months at room temperature) whole grain sorghum flour, while freshly ground flour had a typical pasting curve with one viscosity peak at the 95°C holding period. The formation of the second viscosity peak was caused by liberation of free fatty acids (FFA), mainly palmitic (15.6%), oleic (41.9%), and linoleic (37.9%) acids from stored flour. After the flour samples were pretreated with pepsin or the protease thermolysin, the second peak disappeared in the presence of FFA while the high viscosity was partially retained, indicating that flour protein was another essential component to the production of the actual peak. Effects of dithiothreitol (DTT), pH, and NaCl on RVA profiles of stored flour suggested that disulfide‐linked protein and electrostatic interaction are required for the peak production. In the presence of sufficient FFA, similar cooling stage viscosity peaks appeared in the RVA profiles of flour samples from maize, rice, millet, and wheat; thus, the effect was not unique to sorghum flour. Coinciding with previously reported findings from our laboratory of a three‐component interaction and discernable complex in a model system, a similar three‐component (starch, protein, and FFA) interaction was revealed in natural flour systems resulting in formation of an unusual and notably high cooling stage viscosity peak. Practical applications and an interaction mechanism are discussed.     

Effect of Cultural Management Practices on Grain Quality of Two Rice Cultivars

To reduce fuel and labor costs and increase profits, farmers are trying new ways of growing rice (Oryza sativa L.). This includes changing crop rotations, tillage systems, and fertilization levels. There is little information on how these changes affect the cooking quality of rice. We therefore looked at the parameters associated with cooking and processing quality (apparent amylose, gelatinization temperature, lipid and protein contents, and pasting properties) of two U.S. long grains (Cybonnet and Wells) that were grown using two different tillage systems, standard rate and high rates of fertilization, and different crop rotations (continuous rice R‐R, rice after soybeans R‐SB, and rice after corn R‐C). No differences in quality traits were observed among any of the tillage systems. Rice grown in continuous rice rotation had the lowest protein content of brown and milled rice (8.6 and 8.1%, respectively) as compared to the highest levels observed in the rice‐soybean rotation (9.3 and 8.6%, respectively). Rice grown in continuous rice rotation also had higher peak viscosity than other crop rotations. Increasing the fertilization rate increased the protein content of brown rice and decreased peak, trough, and final viscosities. Apparent amylose content, gelatinization temperature, and lipid content were not affected by crop rotation or fertility; however, they were influenced by cultivar. Although the results indicated statistical differences for some quality parameters, the differences were small enough that they are unlikely to have a major impact on processing quality of long grain rice if co‐mingled.     

Textural Comparisons of Gluten‐Free and Wheat‐Based Doughs,Batters, and Breads

Studies were conducted with two newly developed gluten‐free bread recipes. One was based on corn starch (relative amount 54), brown rice (25), soya (12.5), and buckwheat flour (8.5), while the other contained brown rice flour (50), skim milk powder (37.5), whole egg (30), potato (25), and corn starch (12.5), and soya flour (12.5). The hydrocolloids used were xanthan gum (1.25) and xanthan (0.9) plus konjac gum (1.5), respectively. Wheat bread and gluten‐free bread made from commercial flour mix were included for comparison. Baking tests showed that wheat and the bread made from the commercial flour mix yielded significantly higher loaf volumes (P < 0.01). All the gluten‐free breads were brittle after two days of storage, detectable by the occurrence of fracture, and the decrease in springiness (P < 0.01), cohesiveness (P < 0.01), and resilience (P < 0.01) derived from texture profile analysis. However, these changes were generally less pronounced for the dairy‐based gluten‐free bread, indicating a better keeping quality. Confocal laser‐scanning microscopy showed that the dairy‐based gluten‐free bread crumb contained network‐like structures resembling the gluten network in wheat bread crumb. It was concluded that the formation of a continuous protein phase is critical for an improved keeping quality of gluten‐free bread.     

Impact of Proteins on Pasting and Cooking Properties of Nonparboiled and Parboiled Rice

The role of proteins in the pasting and cooking properties of non‐parboiled (npb) and parboiled (pb) rice was tested by means of a reducing agent dithiothreitol (DTT) and a protease (trypsin). DTT increased the swelling power and carbohydrate leaching of flour from npb rice flour but decreased its amylose leaching. Although DTT slightly increased the Rapid Visco Analyser (RVA) viscosity at the initial stages of the pasting process, it decreased RVA viscosity in the further phases of the experiment. Preincubation of flour with a trypsin decreased RVA viscosity along the whole temperature profile. Addition of DTT to the cooking water decreased water absorption and rice hardness and increased leaching of solids during cooking and stickiness of the cooked npb rice. Addition of DTT to the cooking water of flour from pb rice increased swelling power, carbohydrate leaching, and amylose leaching. Addition of DTT also increased RVA viscosity. Preincubation with trypsin had a similar effect but the changes were less pronounced. Addition of DTT increased stickiness of cooked pb rice and increased water absorption and leaching of solids during cooking. Taken together, the results provide evidence for the existence of a protein barrier affecting starch swelling, rheological, and cooking properties of both npb and pb rice.     

Rheological and Pasting Properties of Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Möench) Flours With and Without Jet‐Cooking

Pasting, rheological, and water‐holding properties of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) flour obtained from whole achenes separated into three particle sizes, and three commercial flours (Fancy, Supreme, and Farinetta) were measured with or without jet‐cooking. Fancy had instantaneous paste viscosity (measured using RVA) after jet‐cooking that was not observed for Supreme or Farinetta, and paste viscosity was lower for the latter two flours. Supreme jet‐cooked flour exhibited higher peak viscosity than flour without jet‐cooking, and paste exhibited high shear‐thinning. Fancy exhibited strongest viscoelastic properties (measured using a rheometer). Jet‐cooking damaged buckwheat flour structure, thereby reducing viscoelasticity. Buckwheat flour pastes experienced shear‐thinning over a wide range of shear rates. Jet‐cooking greatly enhanced water‐holding capacity. Buckwheat flour particle size did not greatly influence paste viscosity. Study showed buckwheat flours have unique pasting and rheological characteristics that have different food applications, which could especially be useful for people with celiac disease as buckwheat is gluten‐free.     

Distribution of Total,Water‐Unextractable,and Water‐Extractable Arabinoxylans in Wheat Flour Mill Streams

Arabinoxylans are a minor but important constituent in wheat that affects bread quality, foam stability, batter viscosity, and sugar snap cookie diameter. Therefore, it is important to determine the distribution of arabinoxylans in flour mill streams to better formulate flour blends. Thirty‐one genetically pure grain lots representing six wheat classifications common to the western U.S. were milled on a Miag Multomat pilot mill, and 10 flour mill streams were collected from each. A two‐way ANOVA indicated that mill streams were a greater source of variation compared to grain lots for total arabinoxylans (TAX), water‐unextractable arabinoxylans (WUAX), and water‐extractable arabinoxylans (WEAX). TAX and WUAX were highly correlated with ash at r = 0.94 and r = 0.94, respectively; while the correlation for WEAX and ash decreased in magnitude at r = 0.60. However, the 5th middlings mill streams exhibited disparity between TAX and ash content as well as between WUAX and ash content. This may indicate that TAX and WUAX in mill streams are not always the result of bran contamination. Cumulative extraction curves for TAX, WUAX and WEAX revealed increasing gradients of arabinoxylans parallel to extraction rate. Therefore, arabinoxylans may be an indicator of flour refinement.     

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.     

A Comparative Study on Pasting and Hydration Properties of Native Rice Starches and Their Mixtures

Four rice starches were isolated from waxy and nonwaxy rice cultivars collected from different places in China. Individual rice starches were examined, along with their corresponding mixtures in different ratios, in terms of pasting and hydration properties. Analysis by micro‐viscoamylography (MVAG) showed that waxy rice starch and its blends had higher peak viscosity (PV), breakdown (BD), and setback (SB) than the remaining starches and mixtures. Apparent amylose content (AC) was 16.95–29.85% in nonwaxy individual rice starches and 13.69–25.07% in rice starch blends. Incorporating waxy rice starch (25%) significantly decreased the AC. AC correlated negatively with swelling power (SP) (r = ‐0.925, P < 0.01). SP exhibited nonlinear relationship (r² = 0.8204) with water solubility (WS) and both increased with temperature. The correlation showed that WS is also an index of starch characteristics and the granules rigidity affected the granule swelling potential. The results show that turbidity of gelatinized starch suspensions stored at 4 ± 0.5°C generally increased during storage up to five days.     

Quality Prediction of Rice Flour by Multiple Regression Model with Instrumental Texture Parameters of Single Cooked Milled Rice Grains

The purpose of this study was to develop highly accurate regression models with texture parameters of cooked milled rice grains for predicting pasting properties in terms of quality index of rice flour. Two methods were adopted as the texture measurement to acquire predictors for the models. In the calibration set, all the multiple regression models by a single‐grain method exhibited a higher R² than those by a three‐grain method. Each of the former models also showed a lower SEP and a higher RPD in the validation set. The prediction performance was best for consistency (RPD = 2.4). The single‐grain method was more advantageous for the pasting prediction. These results suggest that the models based on grain texture could predict rice flour quality.     

豌豆粉添加对米粉品质特性的影响

为了提高米粉的营养价值,本研究将不同粒径的豌豆粉添加到米粉中,分析不同粒径及添加量(0%、7.5%、15%、30%)对大米粉粉质特性及米粉蒸煮、质构和感官特性的影响。结果表明,添加豌豆粉可以增加米粉中蛋白质的含量,添加30%豌豆粉后米粉的蛋白质含量为原米粉的1.73倍。豌豆粉的添加降低了米粉的峰值黏度、最终黏度和回生值,提高了米粉冷糊稳定性,使米粉不易老化。随着豌豆粉添加量的增加,米粉的硬度与蒸煮损失逐渐增大,感官品质降低。豌豆粉的粒度对米粉品质影响较大,当豌豆粉添加量相同时,添加200目豌豆粉的米粉蒸煮损失比添加80目豌豆粉降低9.08%~20.73%;感官评价总分提高1.35%~10.43%。综上,通过降低豌豆粉的粒度可以制备出豌豆粉添加量为30%的品质较好的米粉。本研究结果为营养健康型米粉的开发提供了一定的理论基础。     

Effects of Postharvest Parameters on Functional Changes During Rough Rice Storage

The expansion of value‐added uses for rice has created a demand for quantitative models of functional changes during postharvest handling. Consequently, this study evaluated the effects of postharvest parameters on the functional properties of long‐grain (cvs. Cypress and Kaybonnet) and medium‐grain (cv. Bengal) rice. The experimental treatments included rough rice drying conditions (low vs. high temperature drying), storage moisture content (10, 12, and 14%), storage temperature (4, 21, and 38°C), and storage duration (up to 36 weeks). Milling, cooking, and amylograph pasting properties were analyzed. Polynomial models (up to third‐order) were developed to describe the effects of postharvest factors on the functional properties. Drying treatments, storage moisture content, and storage duration affected (P < 0.05) all of the functional properties. Storage temperature influenced (P < 0.01) cooking and pasting properties, but not milling properties. Overall, there were significant interactions among the postharvest parameters. Additionally, these factors were related to the functional properties by higher‐order relationships.     

调质大米半干法磨粉制备鲜米粉及其品质测定

为考察半干法磨粉对鲜米粉品质的影响,该研究选用旋风磨和布勒磨对调质后含水率为28%和30%的大米进行磨粉,分析大米粉的白度、凝胶特性及糊化特性,对加工鲜米粉的质构特性、蒸煮特性和感官品质进行了分析。结果显示:调质大米可以减小磨粉仪器机械力和热能对大米粉品质的破坏,其中调质大米经布勒磨粉碎后的白度显著高于湿磨粉白度(P0.05);旋风磨含水率为30%调质粉的凝胶硬度最大为3.45 N/cm2,与湿磨粉的无显著差异(P0.05);2种调质粉相比于湿磨粉其崩解值较小,其中布勒磨含水率为30%调质粉回生程度较低,与湿磨粉无显著差异(P0.05)。对于鲜米粉的品质,筛选得到的旋风磨含水率为30%鲜米粉的硬度为35.10 N/cm2,弹性为0.97,较湿磨米粉更柔软弹滑,感官评价总分和蒸煮特性与湿磨米粉无显著差异。以上结果表明,含水率为30%的大米经旋风磨粉碎后能够制得与湿法磨浆相媲美的鲜米粉,可为解决湿磨法废水量大、产品得率低等问题提供参考。     

Effect of Presoaking on Textural,Thermal, and Digestive Properties of Cooked Brown Rice

Brown rice kernels (japonica type) were soaked in water at different temperatures (25 or 50°C) before cooking to a moisture content of 20 or 30%. Soaked brown rice was cooked in either the soaking water (SW) or in distilled water (DW) (rice solids to water ratio 1:1.4). Color, texture, and in vitro digestive properties of the cooked rice were examined. When the soaking temperature was higher (50°C vs. 25°C), water absorption and starch leaching were greater. To reach 20% moisture, the rice required 1 hr of soaking at 50°C but 2 hr of soaking at 25°C. Both the moisture content of the soaked rice and the soaking temperature affected the texture of the cooked brown rice. Rice that attained 20% moisture content during soaking was harder and less adhesive when cooked compared with rice that attained 30% moisture content. The rice soaked at 50°C was slightly softer but more adhesive when cooked than rice soaked at 25°C. The soaking temperature and moisture content of the rice kernels also affected the digestive properties of the cooked rice. The cooked brown rice that had attained 30% moisture before cooking was digested to a greater extent than rice that had attained 20% moisture. Even at equal moisture content, the rice soaked at the higher temperature (50°C) was digested more readily. It was assumed that the amount of soluble material leached during soaking differed according to the soaking temperature and moisture content, which subsequently affected the texture and digestive properties of the cooked brown rice. The rice cooked in its own soaking water was harder and more adhesive, had higher levels of resistant starch (RS), and exhibited smaller glycemic index (GI) values than its counterpart cooked with distilled water. This result indicated that the soluble material leached during soaking made the cooked rice harder and less digestible, perhaps due to interactions between these molecules and the gelatinized rice during cooking.