Effects of endosperm texture and cooking conditions on the in vitro starch digestibility of sorghum and maize flours

The effects of endosperm vitreousness, cooking time and temperature on sorghum and maize starch digestion in vitro were studied using floury and vitreous endosperm flours. Starch digestion was significantly higher in floury sorghum endosperm than vitreous endosperm, but similar floury and vitreous endosperm of maize. Cooking with 2-mercaptoethanol increased starch digestion in both sorghum and maize, but more with sorghum, and more with vitreous endosperm flours. Increasing cooking time progressively reduced starch digestion in vitreous sorghum endosperm but improved digestibility in the other flours. Pressure-cooking increased starch digestion in all flours, but markedly more in vitreous sorghum flour; probably through physical disruption of the protein matrix enveloping the starch. Irrespective of vitreousness or cooking condition, the alpha-amylase kinetic constant (k) for both sorghum and maize flours remained similar, indicating that differences in their starch digestion were due to factors extrinsic to the starches. SDS-PAGE indicated that the higher proportion of disulphide bond-cross-linked prolamin proteins and more extensive polymerisation of the prolamins on cooking, resulting in polymers of M_r>100k, were responsible for the lower starch digestibility of the vitreous sorghum endosperm flour.     

Effects on Maize Starch Properties of Heat-treatment with Water–ethanol Mixtures

Maize starch (1 part) was heated at 120 °C for 20 min in water–ethanol mixtures (5 volumes), in which the water content varied over the range 0–70%, and the product solvent-exchanged with acetone. On treatment with mixtures containing 40–60% water, the swelling power and solubility at 97 °C decreased and the differences between these values measured at 25 and 97 °C narrowed. The properties of starch treated with a mixture containing 30% water resembled those of heat–moisture treated starch. The values of ΔH and ΔS for swelling were greatly decreased by treatment in mixtures with a water content greater than 20–40% (0·39–0·63 mole fraction). Furthermore, the digestibility ratio ofalpha-amylase (endo-type) to glucoamylase (exo-type) was at a maximum after treatment with a mixture containing 30% water. These findings suggest that rearrangements between the amylose and amylopectin in starch granules are occurring after treatment with mixtures containing more than 30% water. These changes in the starch granule are enhanced when the treatment temperature is increased to 100–130 °C.     

Interaction of granular maize starch with lysophosphatidylcholine evaluated by calorimetry, mechanical and microscopy analysis

In this study we evaluated the thermo-mechanical properties of maize starch pastes (80% wt/wt) under the effect of exogenous lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical spectrometry (DMS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Particular attention was paid to the development of the amylose-LPC inclusion complex. Results from SEM and DSC showed that with no exogenous LPC, granular maize starch developed the amylose network structure for starch gelling at 80–95 °C. In comparison, at 1.86 and 3.35% of LPC, heating up to 130 °C was needed to develop the three-dimensional network required for starch gelling. Results showed that at these LPC concentrations LPC interacted mainly with amylose within the starch granule. At concentrations ≥8.26% the LPC interacted with amylose both inside the granule and on the granule's surface. At such LPC concentrations heating to 130 °C did not fully develop the starch network structure for gelling. These results suggested that a higher thermal stability was achieved by starch granules because of LPC inclusion complex formation. DSC or DMS did not detect the development of this complex, probably because its formation took place below the onset of gelatinization under conditions of limited molecular mobility. Subsequently, a lower level of organization (i.e. complex in form I) was achieved than in the complex developed at high temperature and water excess (i.e. complex in form II). On the other hand, the changes in the starch granule structure observed by SEM as a function of the time–temperature variable were well described by the phase shift angle (δ) rheograms for starch pastes with and without addition of LPC.     

Effect of Grain Structure and Cooking on Sorghum and Maize in vitro Protein Digestibility

Uncooked and cooked sorghum showed improvement in in vitro protein digestibility as the structural complexity of the sample reduced from whole grain flour through endosperm flour to protein body-enriched samples. This was not the case for maize. Cooking reduced protein digestibility of sorghum but not maize. Treating cooked sorghum and maize whole grain and endosperm flours with alpha -amylase to reduce sample complexity before in vitro pepsin digestion slightly improved protein digestibility. The reduction in sorghum protein digestibility on cooking was not related to the total polyphenol content of samples. Pericarp components, germ, endosperm cell walls, and gelatinised starch were identified as possible factors limiting sorghum protein digestibility. Electrophoresis of uncooked and cooked protein-body-enriched samples of sorghum and maize, and prolamin fractions of sorghum under non-reducing conditions showed oligomeric proteins with molecular weights (M_r) 45, 66 and >66 kDa and monomeric kafirins and zeins. Protein-body-enriched samples of sorghum had more 45–50 kDa oligomers than those of maize. In cooked sorghum, some of these were resistant to reduction. Pepsin-indigestible residues from protein-body-enriched samples consisted mainly of α-zein (uncooked and cooked maize) or α-kafirin (uncooked sorghum), whilst cooked sorghum had in addition, β- and γ-kafirin and reduction-resistant 45–50 kDa oligomers. Cooking appears to lead to formation of disulphide-bonded oligomeric proteins that occurs to a greater extent in sorghum than in maize. This may explain the poorer protein digestibility of cooked sorghum.     

Effects of Popping on the Endosperm Cell Walls of Sorghum and Maize

The structure of the vitreous endosperm of raw and popped grains of popcorn maize and sorghum has been examined by light and scanning electron microscopy. In both cereals, popping produces everted grains consisting of expanded endosperm foam attached to the pericarp and embryo tissue. As previously reported, each bubble of the foam is formed from an individual starch granule inflated by internal steam pressure. Large fissures may contribute significantly to the expansion of the endosperm foam. The cell walls of the vitreous endosperm of both cereals are shattered into small fragments, which separate slightly as the cell contents expand during popping. Despite this, the endosperm cells retain their polygonal outline. Intact cell walls of raw endosperm, wall fragments from popped endosperm foam, and fragments isolated after treatment of the foam withalpha -amylase, were visualised through the autofluorescence of their ferulic acid content. The in vitro digestibility of popped sorghum was unchanged compared to raw sorghum, whereas that of wet-cooked sorghum was greatly reduced. It is suggested that popping-induced wall fragmentation improves the accessibility of the protein and starch reserves of the endosperm to digestive enzymes.     

Production of bioethanol from steam-flaked sorghum and maize

The aim was to study the effect of steam-flaking of sorghum and maize on bioethanol production and the performance of their ground meals during liquefaction, saccharification and yeast fermentation. A bifactorial experiment with a level of confidence of P < 0.05 was designed to study differences between sorghum and maize and the effectiveness of steam-flaking. Grains were steam-flaked to increase starch bioavailability and disrupt the protein matrix that envelopes starch granules. The steam-flaked sorghum had significantly higher and faster starch hydrolysis compared to the regular kernel during liquefaction. This hydrolysate contained about 33% more reducing sugars compared to the untreated counterpart and similar amounts compared to both maize treatments. At the end of saccharification, the sorghum spent grains contained more residual starch compared to the maize counterparts. Steam-flaking significantly reduced residual starch especially in steam-flaked sorghum. The final glucose concentration in steam-flaked sorghum was similar to the concentration obtained in both maize mashes and 26.5% higher compared to the untreated sorghum. The yield of ethanol in steam-flaked sorghum was 44.2% higher compared to the untreated counterpart and similar to both maize treatments. Therefore, steam-flaking is a treatment useful to increase ethanol production especially in sorghum due to the higher starch bioavailability.     

Transgenic sorghum with suppressed synthesis of kafirin subclasses: Effects on flour and dough rheological characteristics

Arising from work showing that conventionally bred high protein digestibility sorghum types have improved flour and dough functionality, the flour and dough properties of transgenic biofortified sorghum lines with increased protein digestibility and high lysine content (TG-HD) resulting from suppressed synthesis of several kafirin subclasses, especially the cysteine-rich γ-kafirin, were studied. TG-HD sorghums had higher flour water solubility at 30 °C (p < 0.05) and much higher paste viscosity (41% higher) than their null controls (NC). TG-HD doughs were twice as strong as their NC and dynamic rheological analysis indicated that the TG doughs were somewhat more elastic up to 90 °C. CLSM of doughs and pastes indicated that TG-HD had a less compact endosperm protein matrix surround the starch compared to their NC. The improved flour and dough functional properties of the TG-HD sorghums seem to be caused by reduced endosperm compactness resulting from suppression of synthesis of several kafirin subclasses which modifies protein body and protein matrix structure, and to improved protein-starch interaction through hydrogen bonding specifically caused by reduction in the level of the hydrophobic γ-kafirin. The improved flour functionality of these transgenic biofortified sorghums can increase their commercial utility by complementing their improved nutritional quality.     

Storage retrogradation behavior of sorghum, maize and rice starch pastes related to amylopectin fine structure

Storage retrogradation behavior and properties of sorghum, maize, and rice starches were compared to better understand the relationship of amylopectin fine structure to quality issues. Long-term changes in texture of starch gels were attributed to amylopectin retrogradation. In starch pastes aged 7 days at 4 °C, change in the storage modulus (ΔG^′) during heating (representing intermolecular associations) was highly and positively correlated (r = 0.93, p < 0.01) with the proportion of fraction I (FrI) long chains from debranched amylopectin. One sorghum cultivar, Mota Maradi, showed a dramatic increase in the storage modulus (G′) over the 7 day storage period that was related to its high proportion of FrI. Pastes/gels made from starches with normal (20–30%) amylose content and higher proportions of FrI long chains from debranched amylopectin tended to become firmer with more syneresis during extended storage. Both degree of polymerization measurements and previous models for amylopectin structure indicate that FrI represents long B chains of amylopectin. Cereal cultivars having amylopectin structures with lower proportion of long B chains were speculated to give improved quality products with lower rates of retrogradation and staling. This is particularly an issue in sorghum foods where products generally lack storage stability and tend to stale relatively quickly.     

两个玉米品种胚乳发育的比较

以农乐988和扬糯1号两个品种的玉米颖果为材料,利用树脂半薄切片、组织化学染色及生理测定等方法研究胚乳组织和细胞的发育过程。结果表明,两个玉米品种粒重及淀粉含量的变化呈S形生长曲线;可溶性糖变化呈单峰曲线,授粉后12 d含量最高;总蛋白含量在授粉后6 d较高。颖果粒重和总蛋白含量农乐988>扬糯1号;可溶性糖及淀粉含量扬糯1号>农乐988。授粉后0~2 d胚乳处在游离核期,授粉后3~5 d胚乳处在细胞化期,授粉6 d以后胚乳细胞开始分化,内胚乳细胞出现淀粉体和蛋白体。胚乳中淀粉的积累由颖果顶端向基部、由胚乳外层向中央推进。扬糯1号胚乳发育较提前,失活较晚;农乐988胚乳发育相对滞后,失活较早。玉米胚乳发育和颖果发育关系紧密,胚乳游离核期和细胞化期相当于颖果形成期,胚乳分化期相当于颖果乳熟期,胚乳成熟期相当于颖果蜡熟期与完熟期。     

Effect of jet-cooked wheat gluten/lecithin blends on maize and rice starch retrogradation

Vital wheat gluten and lecithin (GL) (50:50, w/w) were dry blended in a coffee grinder and a 9.5% (w/v) aqueous slurry was jet-cooked (steam pressures of 65 psi/g inlet and 40 psi/g outlet) to disaggregate wheat gluten and facilitate better dispersion of the two components. The jet-cooked material was freeze-dried and stored at 0 °C for future use. The GL blend was added to pure food grade common maize and rice starch at concentrations of 0 (control), 6, 11, 16, and 21%. Starch gelatinization and retrogradation temperature transitions were determined using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). From the DSC profiles, the change in the ΔH value was used as an indication of starch retrogradation, where a higher ΔH value indicated higher retrogradation. The ΔH values of the blends at 4 °C had higher values than the −20 °C and the ambient (25 °C) storage temperatures. Overall, the 21% GL/starch blends reduced retrogradation by 50%. The lower amylose content of rice starch relative to maize starch was reflected in Rapid Visco Amylograph (RVA) measurements of peak viscosity, and similarly, Texture Analyzer (TA) measurements indicated that maize starch gel is firmer than rice starch gel. Retrogradation was also evaluated by observing G′, the shear storage modulus, as a function of time after running a standard pasting curve. Using this method, it appears that GL has a significant effect on maize starch retrogradation, since low concentrations (<0.4%, w/w) reduced G′ up to 40%. The opposite behavior was seen in rice starch, where G′ increased directly with added GL. It appears that the amylose level in the rice starch is too low to be affected by the GL, and the increase seen in G′ is most likely due to added solids.     

Characterisation and functional properties of Australian rice protein isolates

Albumin, globulin, glutelin and prolamin fractions were isolated from an Australian rice variety (cv. Langi) and characterised by yield, protein content and molecular weight profile using both capillary electrophoresis (SDS-CE) and sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The influence of pre-extraction enzymatic hydrolysis of starch and heating to 70 °C was also investigated, as was the extraction of the glutelin fraction without prior removal of the albumin and globulin fractions. Pre-extraction treatment affected mainly the albumin fraction, increasing dry matter yield but reducing protein content. SDS-CE was able to separate the protein fractions over a wider molecular weight range than SDS-PAGE, and the peaks from SDS-CE showed slightly higher molecular weight compared to equivalent bands from SDS-PAGE. The glutelin fraction extracted without prior removal of albumin and globulin fractions had different characteristics compared to those obtained by conventional extraction methods. Pre-extraction hydrolysis of starch did not significantly affect the emulsifying, foaming and gelling properties of extracted protein. Although rice glutelin had poor solubility, emulsifying and foaming properties in aqueous systems, it had good gelling properties which could be important for food applications.     

Maize Starch Biphasic Pasting Curves

The pasting of commercial maize starches was found to be a biphasic phenomenon, exhibiting an expected first viscosity peak as well as an unexpected, relatively large second viscosity peak under specific cooking conditions when using a Rapid Visco Analyser (RVA). The second peak formed at long holding times (between 32 and 45 min), holding temperatures within the range of 82 to 95 °C, starch concentrations from 8 to 13% with a wide range of initial heating rates (0·5–10 °C/min) and shear conditions (150–500 rev/min). The second pasting peak is attributed to the formation of complexes between amylose and low levels of lipid present in maize starch. When lipid was partially removed by extraction with methanol-chloroform (1 : 3 v/v), the second pasting peak disappeared. When, however, the starch sample was treated with solvent and the solvent removed by evaporation, the second peak remained, but formed earlier. Increasing the holding temperature gave a slightly higher first viscosity peak, slightly earlier, and led to a decrease in the area and height of the second viscosity peak. Increasing heating rate also led to an earlier, slightly higher first peak and earlier but lower second viscosity peak. Increasing starch concentration led to an increase in height and area of both the first and second peaks and their later occurrence. Increasing shear led to a decrease in height and area of both the first and second peaks and their later appearance.     

Effect of aging at different temperatures on LAOS properties and secondary protein structure of hard wheat flour dough

The effects of aging from t = 0–108 h at two different temperatures (4 and 25 °C) on the non-linear viscoelastic rheological properties and secondary protein structure of hard wheat flour dough (HWD) were investigated using large amplitude oscillatory shear tests (LAOS) coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and SDS-PAGE. Storage (G') and loss (G'') moduli rapidly decreased during aging at 25 °C. Subjecting HWD to progressively longer aging times at 25 °C caused dramatic changes in the non-linear viscoelastic properties demonstrated by strain softening (negative values of e₃/e₁) and shear thinning (negative values of v₃/v₁) behavior. Elastic Lissajous curves of the unaged control dough showed clockwise turn and wider elliptical trajectories as dough aging proceeds especially at higher temperatures. Other non-linear LAOS parameters (G'_M-G''_L, η'_M-η'_L, S and T) supported that aging process at higher temperature caused a progressive change in dough structure from strain stiffening to strain softening behavior while dough samples aged at 4 °C showed fairly close behavior with the control dough sample. FTIR spectra indicated that the relative content of β-sheet and β-turn structures decreased while the content of α-helix structure increased for all dough samples as a result of dough aging. SDS-PAGE results supported the breakdown of high molecular weight (HMW) and low molecular weight (LMW) glutenin subfractions. Aging at the higher temperature of 25 °C decreased the HMW/LMW ratio from 0.77 to 0.59, while the ratio was 0.73 for the dough aged at 4 °C which is fairly close to the control sample. Our results show that the degradation rate of gluten/starch network was triggered by aging at higher temperature, longer aging time, and natural fermentation which resulted in increasing acidity and increase in endogenous proteolytic and amylolytic activity, and also increasing gluten solubility and break down of intermolecular disulfide bonds at acid pH.     

干旱胁迫下小麦颖果内源激素的变化及其与胚乳发育的关系

为探明干旱胁迫下小麦颖果内源激素与胚乳发育的关系,以小麦品种扬麦16为材料,在幼苗返青至颖果成熟阶段进行干旱处理,采用树脂切片及显微摄影等技术观察小麦颖果和胚乳细胞发育的形态结构特征,并通过酶联免疫吸附法测定颖果生长素(IAA)、脱落酸(ABA)、赤霉素(GA_3、GA_4)、玉米素核苷(ZR)、二氢玉米素核苷(DHZR)的含量。结果显示,干旱胁迫缩短了小麦颖果发育进程,促进颖果早衰,导致颖果发育不良;显著降低了籽粒千粒重、可溶性糖含量和总淀粉含量,提高了蛋白质含量;促进颖果发育早期胚乳细胞分裂和淀粉积累,抑制了发育后期胚乳细胞的分裂、体积扩大和淀粉体充实,并提高了颖果整个发育过程中胚乳蛋白体的积累;提高了颖果发育前期IAA、GA_3、GA_4、ZR和DHZR的含量,ABA含量在整个发育时期均较高。说明干旱胁迫能通过影响颖果内源激素的积累来调控胚乳发育。     

Comparison of Various Processes for Making Maize Pasta

Maize pasta was produced using various heat treatment such as drum-drying, extrusion-cooking, pasting and steaming. Cooking quality of pasta products were compared and discussed on the basis of starch physico-chemical properties. The best products were obtained by using drum-drying or pasting, whereas the worst product was obtained using extrusion-cooked maize starch. This was interpreted in terms of starchy component degradation and amylose retrogradation ability. The treatment of fresh pasta at high temperature (95°C) with high relative humidity (95%) improved pasta quality: after 1 h under these conditions, cooking losses were decreased by 9%. Addition of monoglycerides also significantly improved pasta cooking quality by making complexes with amylose during pasta cooking. In contrast, cold storage promoted amylopectin retrogradation and scarcely improved maize pasta quality.     

Properties of field-sprouted sorghum and its performance in ethanol production

The objective of this research was to investigate physicochemical and biochemical characteristics of field-sprouted grain sorghum and its fermentation performance in ethanol production. Five field-sprouted grain sorghum varieties, which received abnormally high rainfall during harvest, were used in this study. Enzyme activities, microstructure, flour pasting properties, kernel hardness, kernel weight, kernel size, flour size and particle distribution of field-sprouted grain sorghum were analyzed. The effect of germination (i.e., sprouting) on conversion of grain sorghum to ethanol was determined by using a laboratory dry-grind ethanol fermentation procedure. Sprouted sorghum had increased α-amylase activity; degraded starch granules and endosperm cell walls; decreased kernel hardness, kernel weight, kernel size, and particle size; and decreased pasting temperature and peak and final viscosities compared with non-sprouted grain sorghum. The major finding is that the time required for sprouted sorghum to complete fermentation was only about half that of non-sprouted sorghum. Also, ethanol yield from sprouted sorghum was higher (416–423 L/ton) than that from non-sprouted sorghum (409 L/ton) on a 14% moisture basis.     

玉米子粒性状和子粒赖氨酸含量的相关及通径分析

以28份玉米自交系为材料,对9个子粒性状与子粒赖氨酸含量进行了相关和通径分析。结果表明,油分、胚重、胚比(胚重与胚乳重的比值)、胚乳硬度等级与赖氨酸含量呈显著或极显著正相关;淀粉含量、密度(粒重与体积之比)、胚乳重与赖氨酸含量呈显著或极显著负相关;百粒重和粗蛋白含量与赖氨酸含量相关不显著。各子粒性状对赖氨酸含量的直接影响力大小依次为胚比>胚重>胚乳重>胚乳硬度等级>密度>油分>淀粉含量>粗蛋白含量>百粒重。其中,胚比对子粒赖氨酸含量起关键作用。     

Biochemical Basis of Kernel Milling Characteristics and Endosperm Vitreousness of Maize

Chemical characteristics of 18 normal maize grain samples, having a wide range of physical properties (endosperm vitreousness, kernel friability and milling characteristics), were analysed and related to physical properties. Measurement of damaged starch showed that starch behaved as a passive filler in endosperm. Endosperm protein content and class, as determined from extractability properties and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, were correlated with kernel physical properties. Endosperm vitreousness and kernel mechanical properties (kernel friability and milling characteristics) were related to different components, however. Vitreousness seems to be linked to the proportion (%) of the two γ-zein fractions, whereas friability increased when α-zein content decreased and when salt extractable protein content increased.     

Pasting Profiles and Solubility of Native and Cross-Linked Corn Starch inDimethylsulfoxide-Water Mixtures

The pasting profiles of native and cross-linked corn starch in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO)–water mixtures were investigated with a Rapid Visco Analyser. The temperature profile included an isothermal step of 1 min at 30 °C, followed by a linear gradient to 75 °C in 3 min and finally an isothermal step of 20 min at 75 °C. The profiles were characterised by an initial peak (at 75 °C) followed by a trough, much as is the case with profiles of such starch in water. Increasing the DMSO concentration in the DMSO–water mixture from 70–97·5% (by weight), without changing the starch concentration, resulted in lower end-viscosities. The RVA pasting profiles of a series of sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP) and epichlorohydrin (ECH) cross-linked corn starches were investigated in 92·5% DMSO at different dry matter (d.m.) contents. At high starch concentrations (>60% d.m.), the end viscosity increased with the degree of cross-linking. At lower starch concentrations (<6% d.m.), the more highly cross-linked starches yielded lower peak- and end-viscosities than starches with lower degrees of cross-linking. The solubilisation of the starches in 92·5% DMSO was complete for the native starch and decreased considerably for the highly cross-linked starches. Light microscopy showed that the cross-linked starches, upon heating in DMSO–water, were converted to a biphasic system consisting of insoluble granule remnants and a starch solution.     

玉米自交系齐319空间诱变系的生物学效应分析

以两份玉米子粒类型空间诱变系SP-M1、SP-M2以及野生型玉米自交系齐319为试验材料,对田间农艺性状、穗部性状、子粒的营养品质性状和胚乳内部显微结构进行分析。结果表明,与野生型相比,两个诱变系在株高、穗位高、粒长、百粒重等田间农艺性状和穗部性状上发生显著或极显著变异,且变异方向不同,SP-M1和SP-M2赖氨酸含量显著高于野生型,SP-M2淀粉含量显著高于野生型,蛋白质含量显著低于野生型。2个诱变系与齐319在胚乳边缘组织、胚乳内部组织、淀粉粒、基质蛋白等结构存在差异,淀粉粒的组成比例和排列顺序是影响胚乳超微结构差异的主要原因。