Influence of drying temperature, water content, and heating rate on gelatinization of corn starches

The gelatinization properties of starch extracted from corn and waxy corn dried at different temperatures were determined at various water contents and heating rates by differential scanning calorimetry. All gelatinization transition temperatures increased with drying temperature and heating rate. Onset and peak temperatures remained relatively constant, whereas end temperature decreased in the presence of excess water. The gelatinization enthalpy (deltaH(g)) of corn starch decreased with drying temperature at 50% water; however, it remained constant for waxy corn starch. The effects of water content and heating rate on deltaH(g) were dependent on each other. The minimum water levels required for gelatinization of starch extracted from corn dried at 20 and 100 degrees C are 21 and 29%, respectively. The activation energy (E(a)) was calculated using an Arrhenius-type equation and two first-order models; the degree of conversion (alpha) was predicted using a newly proposed model that produced good results for both E(a) and alpha.     

Comparison of the gelatinization behavior of organic and conventional spelt starches assessed by thermal and rheological analyses

The objective of this study was to compare gelatinization properties and molecular composition of starches extracted from locally grown organic and conventional spelt using thermal, rheological, and SEC analyses, along with Concanavalin A method. Organic and conventional spelt was planted in six replicated plots, and the extracted starch was analyzed for their gelatinization properties. DSC showed that the gelatinization temperature ranged from 56.7 to 68.8 °C with an average peak of 62.4 °C, with no evidence for statistical difference in gelatinization properties between treatments. Rheological behavior variation among samples was more pronounced than that between the two growing conditions. The amylose content ranged from 23.0% to 29.8%. There was no significant difference in the molecular weight of amylose and amylopectin irrespective of the plot locations, although a significant difference was found between the amylopectin molecular weight of organic and conventional spelt starches when analyzed collectively. The organic spelt starch studied may substitute the conventional starch when gelatinization behavior is considered.     

Effect of annealing temperature on gelatinization of rice starch suspension as studied by rheological and thermal measurements

The effect of annealing temperature (Ta) on the rheological behavior of 10 wt % rice starch suspension was investigated by the dynamic viscoelasticity, the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and the amount of leached out amylose and the swelling ratio of starch suspension. The rheological behaviors of the annealed samples are classified into three types in terms of Ta: Ta1, 48 and 55 degrees C, which are much lower than the gelatinization temperature, Tgel (=62 degrees C); Ta2, 58, 60, and 62 degrees C, which are almost the same as Tgel; and Ta3, 65, 68, 70, and 73 degrees C, which are much higher than Tgel. For the samples annealed at Ta2, the onset temperature of the storage and the loss moduli, G' and G', increased with increasing T(a), and G' and G" in the temperature range from 65 to 90 degrees C gradually increased though smaller than those for the nonannealed sample, the control. This can be understood by the partial gelatinization; i.e., the leached out amylose prevents further amylose from leaching out. The rheological property of the samples annealed at Ta1 is not so different from that of the control, and the samples annealed at Ta3 are almost gelatinized. The rheological behavior of starch suspension can be controlled by Ta.     

Macro-structure of the surface layer of a self-mulching clay in relation to cereal stubble management

The macro-structure of the surface layer of a self-mulching clay was quantified statistically using methods described previously by the senior author. Soil macro-structures were determined at the 10, 20 and 40 mm depths in the 34th year of a long-term trial with two methods of cereal stubble management (burning and incorporation) and in the 1st year of a new trial with two methods of cereal stubble management (burning and retention) and two methods of weed control (herbicide and blade or sweep plough). Stubble management had only small and probably insignificant effects on soil macro-structure but mechanical weed control had a significant positive effect on soil macro-structure as compared to chemical weed control.     

Molecular degradation rate of rice and corn starches during acid-methanol treatment and its relation to the molecular structure of starch

The degradation rates of rice and corn starches with different contents of amylose treated in methanol containing 0.36% HCl at 25 degrees C for 1-15 days were evaluated by monitoring the weight average degree of polymerization of starch. A two-stage degradation pattern during acid-methanol treatment was found for the starches studied, which were the slow (first) and the rapid (second) degradation stages. Waxy starches showed a shorter time period of the first stage than that of nonwaxy starch. Rice starch showed a shorter time period of the first stage and a higher degradation rate of the second stage than the counterpart corn starch with similar amylose content. Despite the botanic source and amylose content of starch, the degradation rate of starch in the second stage significantly (p < 0.05) correlated to the S/L ratio (r = -0.886) and polydispersity (r = 0.859) of amylopectin branch chains of native starch.     

Nitrogen losses from the field: denitrification and leaching in intensive winter cereal production in relation to tillage method of a clay soil

Abstract. Losses of soil and fertilizer nitrogen by leaching and denitritication from a clay soil in southern England have been measured over four years. Nitrate losses in drainage water from direct-drilled land averaged 20–30 kg N ha 'a' with wide seasonal variation. Ploughing and conventional cultivations increased this loss. Denitritication from direct-drilled land averaged 5–10 kg N ha 'a' with wide seasonal variation. Ploughing and drainage both diminished denitritication losses but cultivation had the greater effect. These nitrogen losses occurred mainly in autumn and spring.
Nitrogen losses, in drainage water or by denitritication after spring fertilizer applications, were related to the rainfall in the 28 days following top dressing. Approximately 40 mm rain was needed to cause a loss of 10% of the nitrogen applied but in practice losses were quite variable.     

Photodegradation of cassava and corn starches

The baking expansion properties of sour cassava starch (Polvilho azedo) are attributable to photochemical starch degradation induced by heterolactic fermentation after sun-drying. This study investigated the effects of UV irradiation on the different structural levels of cassava starch as compared to those of corn starch and dextrins. Photosensitive compounds excited at 360 and 290 nm in cassava starch were photodegraded when starch was exposed to sunlight or 360 nm irradiation. UV irradiation depolymerized cassava and corn starches, inducing modifications due, at least in part, to a mechanism involving free radicals. Lactic acid was also photodegraded. Photodegradation induced by UV absorption could have been due to fluorescent chromophores found in starches and nonfluorescent chromophores present in glucosidic units.     

Alkylresorcinols in cereals and cereal products

The alkylresorcinol (AR) content of 8 commonly consumed cereals, 125 Triticum cultivars, milling fractions of wheat and rye, bread, and other cereal products was analyzed. ARs were found in wheat (489-1429 microgram/g), rye (720-761 microgram/g), triticale (439-647 microgram/g), and barley (42-51 microgram/g), but not in rice, oats, maize, sorghum, or millet. One durum wheat variety was found to have an exceptionally low level of ARs (54 microgram/g) compared to other durum wheat varieties (589-751 microgram/g) and Triticumspecies analyzed. The AR content of milling fractions closely followed the ash content and could be used as a marker of the presence of bran in flour. Using hot 1-propanol extraction, all ARs could be extracted from bread, contrary to previous studies which suggested that ARs were destroyed during baking. Cereal products varied greatly in AR content, with those containing wheat bran or whole rye having the highest content.     

Growth responses of cereal crops to organic nitrogen in the field

Eleven rice varieties differing in grain size were grown under controlled environmental conditions during the grain-filling period. The grain weight of upper grains in a panicle was examined at successive stages of growth during the grain-filling period. The effect of temperature on the rate and the duration of the period of grain-filling was determined using Khao Lo, a large-grain variety, and Bom Dia, a small-grain variety. Both the grain-filling rate and duration of the period of grain-filling differed among rice varieties and were positively and significantly correlated with the grain size. The duration of the grain-filling period from flowering to the time when almost maximum grain weight was attained ranged from 12 days at 32/24°C in Bom Dia to 36 days at 20/12°C in Khao Lo. The grain-filling rate was low in small-grain varieties, and generally increased with increasing grain size.

By lowering the temperature, the grain-filling rate decreased, the duration of the grain-filling period increased but the grain weight was almost constant.

Weight per grain was closely correlated with hull size. No relationship was found between weight per grain and nitrogen percentage of brown rice.     

Isolation and partial characterization of banana starches.

Two varieties of banana green fruit growing in Guerrero, Mexico, were used for starch isolation. Chemical analysis and physicochemical and functional properties were studied in these starches. The "macho" variety presented higher starch yield than "criollo". In general, chemical compositions in both starches were similar, except in ash content, where the "criollo" variety showed a lower value than "macho". The results of freeze-thaw stability suggested that banana starches cannot be used in frozen products. Both starches presented similar water retention capacity values that increased when temperature increased. Solubility profiles showed that at low temperature "criollo" had lower solubility than "macho", but at higher temperature an inverse behavior was evident; also the solubility increased when temperature increased. Behavior similar to that for solubility was obtained in the swelling test. The banana starch studies indicate the "macho" and "criollo" varieties have different starch structures as evidenced by viscosity.     

Influence of acyl chain lengths in mono- and diacyl-sn-glycerophosphatidylcholine on gelatinization and retrogradation of starch

The influence of starch with 1- or 2-monoacyl-sn-glycerophosphatidylcholine (GPC) having various chain lengths of fatty acids on gelatinization and retrogradation of starch was studied by the measurement of starch-GPC complex formation, complexing index, and differential scanning calorimetry. The addition of GPC to the starch sample slightly increased the blue value and lambda(max) with increasing chain length of GPC but decreased the phosphorus content and complexing index. The gelatinization onset and peak temperatures of starch complexes increased significantly with increasing chain length, but the enthalpies were statistically lower, except for the treatment with 1,2-distearoyl-sn-GPC when compared with that of the control. Among GPC (di and mono), 1- and 2-monomyristoyl-sn-GPC showed the highest complexing ability, whereas the complexing ability of the GPC decreased with the increasing chain length. According to the Avrami equation, the retrogradation rate (k, day(-1)) of starch was slower than that of the control, whereas the retrogradation rates of 1- and 2-monomyristoyl-sn-GPC were slowest among the GPCs. The positive linear relationship between k and the number of acyl groups of GPC suggests that a GPC with a shorter chain length could retard the retrogradation of starch during storage.     

Mechanism and enzymatic contribution to in vitro test method of digestion for maize starches differing in amylose content

To determine the rapidly digestible starch (RDS), slowly digestible starch (SDS), and resistant starch (RS) contents in a starch sample, the addition of amyloglucosidase is often used to convert hydrolyzates from α-amylase digestion to glucose. The objectives of this study were to investigate the exact role of amyloglucosidase in determining the digestibility of starch and to understand the mechanism of enzymatic actions on starch granules. Four maize starches differing in amylose content were examined: waxy maize (0.5% amylose), normal maize (≈27% amylose), and two high-amylose starches (≈57 and ≈71% amylose). Notably, without amyloglucosidase addition, the RS content increased from 4.3 to 74.3% for waxy maize starch, 29.7 to 76.5% for normal maize starch, 65.8 to 88.0% for starch with 57% amylose, and 68.2 to 90.4% for the starch with 71% amylose. In the method without α-amylase addition, less RS was produced than without added amyloglucosidase, except in maize at 71% amylose content. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the digestive patterns of pinholes with α-amylase and burrowing with amyloglucosidase as well as the degree of digestion between samples. To understand the roles of amyloglucosidase and α-amylase in the in vitro test, multiple analytical techniques including gel permeation chromatography, SEM, synchrotron wide-angle X-ray diffraction, and small-angle X-ray scattering were used to determine the molecular and crystalline structure before and after digestion. Amyloglucosidase has a significant impact on the SDS and RS contents of granular maize starches.     

Structure and functional properties of sorghum starches differing in amylose content

Starches were isolated from grains of waxy, heterowaxy, and normal sorghum. To study the relationship between starch structure and functionality and guide applications of these starches, amylose content, amylopectin chain-length distributions, gelatinization and retrogradation, pasting properties, dynamic rheological properties, and in vitro enzyme digestion of raw starches were analyzed. Heterowaxy sorghum starch had intermediate amylose content, pasting properties, and dynamic rheological properties. Stress relaxation was a useful indicator of cooked starch cohesiveness. Cooked heterowaxy sorghum starch (10% solids) had a viscoelastic-solid type of character, whereas cooked waxy sorghum starch behaved like a viscoelastic liquid. Amylopectin of normal sorghum starch had a slightly higher proportion of chains with degree of polymerization (DP) of 6-15 (45.5%) compared with amylopectin of heterowaxy starch (44.1%), which had a gelatinization peak temperature 2 degrees C higher than normal sorghum starch. Heterowaxy sorghum starch contained significantly lower rapidly digestible starch (RDS) and higher resistant starch (RS) than waxy sorghum starch.     

热压凝胶法制备营养质构米及其营养性质研究

为弥补食用精白米导致营养不良的状况,以大米加工过程中产生的碎米作为原料和载体,产生的米糠作为天然营养强化剂,采取热压凝胶法制备营养质构米。在预试验的基础上,采用响应面法考察热压凝胶过程条件包括喂料含水率,螺杆转速,5个加热区机筒温度对营养质构米的质构和营养特性的影响,得出制备最佳工艺条件:当喂料转速为30r/min,米糠添加量为4%,物料含水率为30%,螺杆转速为17.7r/min,5个区机筒温度分别为50,65,85,100,95～97℃。在此条件下制备的营养质构米含有质量分数总膳食纤维11.44%,蛋白质11.62%,脂肪6.49%,而维生素为B12.07μg/g,维生素B20.31μg/g和γ-谷维素12.04mg/100g。相比于天然精白米,质构特性相近,但维生素B1,维生素B2,γ-谷维素分别增加了1.17,0.06,5.83μg/g,为营养质构米工业化生产提供参考。     

不同淀粉糊化及凝胶特性与粉条品质的关系

为了研究粉条加工过程中原料淀粉的糊化及凝胶特性对粉条品质的影响,该文对绿豆、红薯、马铃薯、大米和玉米等5种原料淀粉的糊化凝胶特性及其粉条品质进行了测定,并对淀粉糊化凝胶特性与淀粉粉条品质之间的关系进行探讨。结果表明:5种淀粉原料所制的粉条中,绿豆粉条的品质是较好,其次就是马铃薯粉条和红薯粉条,大米粉条和玉米粉条的品质较差;淀粉的糊化特性与粉条品质之间具有显著相关性,按显著程度的大小(P值大小)依次是:峰值黏度谷值黏度衰减值回生值、最终黏度;淀粉凝胶的硬度、弹性、黏性和咀嚼性对粉条品质的影响较大,按显著程度的大小(P值大小)依次是:硬度黏性咀嚼性弹性。在粉条加工原料选择及粉条品质改善中可以考虑用谷值黏度、回生值以及淀粉凝胶特性特征值回复性、咀嚼性和黏性作为考核衡量指标。研究结果为粉条生产中原料选择及品质改善提供参考依据。     

Structures and physicochemical properties of six wild rice starches

Starches from six wild rice cultivars were studied for their chemical structures and physicochemical properties and compared with a long-grain rice starch. The six wild rice starches were similar in morphological appearance, X-ray diffraction patterns, swelling power, and water solubility index but different in amylose content, beta-amylolysis limit, branch chain length distribution, thermal properties, and pasting properties. The structure of the wild rice amylopectins was close to that of waxy rice amylopectin with more branching and a larger proportion of short branch chains of degree of polymerization 6-12 as compared with that of amylopectin from rice starch with a similar amylose content. The differences in branch chain length distribution of amylopectin and amylose content were assumed to contribute to the differences in physicochemical properties among the six wild rice starches as well as to the differences between the wild rice starches and the rice starch.     

Transport of cadmium from soil to grain in cereal crops: A review

Due to rapid urbanization and industrialization, many soils for crop production are contaminated by cadmium(Cd), a heavy metal highly toxic to many organisms. Cereal crops such as rice, wheat, maize, and barley are the primary dietary source of Cd for humans, and reducing Cd transfer from soil to their grains is therefore an important issue for food safety. During the last decade, great progress has been made in elucidating the molecular mechanisms of Cd transport, particularly in rice. Inter-and intraspecific variations in Cd accumulation have been observed in cereal crops. Transporters for Cd have been identified in rice and other cereal crops using genotypic differences in Cd accumulation and mutant approaches. These transporters belong to different transporter families and are involved in the uptake, vacuolar sequestration, root-to-shoot translocation, and distribution of Cd. Attempts have been made to reduce Cd accumulation in grains by manipulating these transporters through overexpression or knockout of the transporter genes, as well as through marker-assisted selection breeding based on genotypic differences in Cd accumulation in the grains. In this review, we describe recent progress on molecular mechanisms of Cd accumulation in cereal crops and compare different molecular strategies for minimizing Cd accumulation in grains.     

Oxalate content of cereals and cereal products

Detailed knowledge of food oxalate content is of essential importance for dietary treatment of recurrent calcium oxalate urolithiasis. Dietary oxalate can contribute considerably to the amount of urinary oxalate excretion. Because cereal foods play an important role in daily nutrition, the soluble and total oxalate contents of various types of cereal grains, milling products, bread, pastries, and pasta were analyzed using an HPLC-enzyme-reactor method. A high total oxalate content (>50 mg/100 g) was found in whole grain wheat species Triticum durum (76.6 mg/100 g), Triticum sativum (71.2 mg/100 g), and Triticum aestivum (53.3 mg/100 g). Total oxalate content was comparably high in whole grain products of T. aestivum, that is, wheat flakes and flour, as well as in whole grain products of T. durum, that is, couscous, bulgur, and pasta. The highest oxalate content was demonstrated for wheat bran (457.4 mg/100 g). The higher oxalate content in whole grain than in refined grain cereals suggests that oxalic acid is primarily located in the outer layers of cereal grains. Cereals and cereal products contribute to the daily oxalate intake to a considerable extent. Vegetarian diets may contain high amounts of oxalate when whole grain wheat and wheat products are ingested. Recommendations for prevention of recurrence of calcium oxalate stone disease have to take into account the oxalate content of these foodstuffs.