Structural properties of hydrolyzed high-amylose rice starch by α-amylase from Bacillus licheniformis

High-amylose cereal starch has a great benefit on human health through its resistant starch (RS) content. Enzyme hydrolysis of native starch is very helpful in understanding the structure of starch granules and utilizing them. In this paper, native starch granules were isolated from a transgenic rice line (TRS) enriched with amylose and RS and hydrolyzed by α-amylase. Structural properties of hydrolyzed TRS starches were studied by X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, and differential scanning calorimetry. The A-type polymorph of TRS C-type starch was hydrolyzed faster than the B-type polymorph, but the crystallinity did not significantly change during enzyme hydrolysis. The degree of order in the external region of starch granule increased with increasing enzyme hydrolysis time. The amylose content decreased at first and then went back up during enzyme hydrolysis. The hydrolyzed starches exhibited increased onset and peak gelatinization temperatures and decreased gelatinization enthalpy on hydrolysis. These results suggested that the B-type polymorph and high amylose that formed the double helices and amylose-lipid complex increased the resistance to BAA hydrolysis. Furthermore, the spectrum results of RS from TRS native starch digested by pancreatic α-amylase and amyloglucosidase also supported the above conclusion.     

Structural Changes of High-Amylose Rice Starch Residues following in Vitro and in Vivo Digestion

High-amylose cereal starch has a great benefit on human health through its resistant starch content. In this paper, starches were isolated from mature grains of high-amylose transgenic rice line (TRS) and its wild-type rice cultivar Te-qing (TQ) and digested in vitro and in vivo. The structural changes of digestive starch residues were characterized using DSC, XRD, (13)C CP/MAS NMR, and ATR-FTIR. TQ starch was very susceptible to digestion; its residues following in vitro and in vivo digestion showed similar structural characteristics with TQ control starch, which suggested that both amorphous and crystalline structures were simultaneously digested. Both amorphous and the long-range order structures were also simultaneously hydrolyzed in TRS starch, but the short-range order (double helix) structure in the external region of TRS starch granule increased with increasing digestion time. The A-type polymorph of TRS C-type starch was hydrolyzed more rapidly than the B-type polymorph. These results suggested that B-type crystallinity and short-range order structure in the external region of starch granule made TRS starch resistant to digestion.     

Separation and Characterization of A- and B-Type Starch Granules in Wheat Endosperm

Mature wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) endosperm contains two types of starch granules: large A-type and small B-type. Two methods, microsieving or centrifugal sedimentation through aqueous solutions of sucrose, maltose, or Percoll were used to separate A- and B-type starch granules. Microsieving could not completely separate the two types of starch granules, while centrifuging through maltose and sucrose solutions gave a homogenous population for B-type starch granules only. Centrifuging through two Percoll solutions (70 and 100%, v/v) produced purified populations of both the A- and B-type starch granules. Analysis of starch granule size distribution in the purified A- and B-type granule populations and in the whole-starch granule population obtained directly from wheat endosperm confirmed that the purified A- and B-type starch granule populations represented their counterparts in mature wheat endosperm. Centrifugations through two Percoll solutions were used to purify A- and B-type starch granule populations from six wheat cultivars. The amylose concentrations and gelatinization properties of these populations were analyzed. All of the A-type starch granules contained higher amylose concentrations and had higher gelatinization enthalpies than did B-type starch granules. Although A- and B-type starch granules started to gelatinize at a similar temperature, B-type starch granules had higher gelatinization peak and completion temperatures than did A-type starch granules     

α-Amylolysis of Large Barley Starch Granules

The α-amylolysis of large (volume average 16 μm) barley starch granules was studied by measuring the amount of carbohydrates solubilizing during hydrolysis, and the changes in morphology and molecular structure of the granule residues by scanning electron microscopy, particlesize analysis, size-exclusion chromatography, X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry. X-ray diffraction showed that, in the earlier stages of α-amylolysis, both amorphous and crystalline parts of the granules were equally solubilized. More extensive hydrolysis caused a gradual decrease in A-type crystallinity and degradation of the granular structure. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that hydrolysis proceeded through pinholes, and pitted and partially hollow granule residues were formed. The lipid-complexed amylose was less susceptible to α-amylolysis than free amylose and amylopectin. Lipid-complexed amylose started leaching out of the granule residues only after half of the starch had solubilized due to the α-amylase treatment. Even though scanning electron microscopy indicated that there were intact granules left throughout the hydrolysis, the results obtained suggested that α-amylolysis of large barley starch granules proceeded rather evenly among the granules.     

Determination of the molecular and structural characteristics of okenia, mango, and banana starches

Starches were isolated from nonconventional sources (banana, mango, and okenia) and their characteristics were examined using polarized light microscopy, X-ray diffraction pattern, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Banana starch granules were of an ellipsoidal shape with size between approximately 8 and 20 microm; okenia had the smallest granule size, between approximately 2 and 5 microm. The three starches showed the Maltese cross, indicative of an intact granule structure. Okenia and mango starches had the A-type X-ray diffraction pattern, common to native cereal starches, whereas banana starch showed a mixture between A- and B-type pattern. Banana starch had the highest temperature (77.6 degrees C) and enthalpy (23.4 J/g) of gelatinization in excess water conditions; okenia had the lowest temperature (71.2 degrees C) and enthalpy (15 J/g), which may be related to the X-ray diffraction pattern and its small granule size. Both the okenia and mango starches had a higher molar mass and gyration radius than banana starch, which may be related to the differences determined in their crystalline structures.     

优质小麦子粒淀粉组成与糊化特性对氮素水平的响应

在大田条件下,选用3个不同类型优质小麦品种: 豫麦47（强筋品种）、山农8355（中筋品种）和豫麦50（弱筋品种）,设置3个氮肥水平: 施N 0、15和30 g/m2,研究了小麦子粒淀粉的粒度分布、直支链淀粉组成、糊化特性及其对氮素水平的响应。结果表明,优质小麦子粒中淀粉粒的粒径分布范围为1～45 μm,其数目分布呈单峰或双峰曲线变化,体积和表面积分布均呈双峰曲线变化,峰谷位于10 μm处; 据此可将淀粉粒分为两种类型: A型大淀粉粒（10～45 μm）和B型小淀粉粒（1～10 μm）。优质小麦子粒淀粉粒组成存在显著的基因型差异。强筋品种豫麦47子粒中B型淀粉粒的比例较高,弱筋品种豫麦50子粒中A型淀粉粒的比例较高,中筋品种山农8355居中。施氮水平对优质小麦子粒中淀粉的粒度分布存在显著影响。在本试验条件下,随氮素水平的提高,强筋品种豫麦47子粒中A型淀粉粒的比例提高,而B型淀粉粒的比例下降; 增施氮肥后弱筋品种豫麦50和中筋品种山农8355子粒中B型淀粉粒的比例增大,而A型淀粉粒的比例降低,且前者变化的幅度较大。适量增施氮肥提高优质小麦子粒中的淀粉含量,氮肥用量进一步增大后,淀粉含量降低; 增施氮肥后优质小麦子粒中直链淀粉含量降低。增施氮肥对优质小麦子粒淀粉的糊化特性存在较大影响,且此影响的趋势因基因型和施氮量而异。其中强筋品种豫麦47表现为低谷粘度、最终粘度、反弹值、糊化温度和峰值时间提高,而高峰粘度和稀懈值降低; 当氮肥用量增大至30 g/m2时,糊化温度和峰值时间降低,而以粘度为单位的参数均提高。弱筋品种豫麦50表现为增施氮肥后,RVA参数呈下降趋势,与之相对应中筋品种山农8355的呈上升趋势。相关性分析表明,B型淀粉粒的数目、体积和表面积比例与高峰粘度和稀懈值存在显著正相关; 与低谷粘度、最终粘度和反弹值存在显著负相关。子粒中直链淀粉含量、支链淀粉含量和总淀粉含量与高峰粘度和稀懈值呈显著负相关,与低谷粘度、最终粘度、反弹值和峰值时间呈一定程度正相关; 直链淀粉相对含量与RVA特征参数之间的相关趋势与子粒中直链淀粉含量的趋势一致,但均未达显著水平。由此可以认为,氮肥通过调控小麦子粒中淀粉的直、支链组成和粒度分布而影响其糊化特性。     

气流粉碎对玉米淀粉结构及理化性质的影响

为研究气流粉碎对玉米淀粉结构及理化性质的影响,该文以普通玉米淀粉为原料,通过流化床气流粉碎处理,采用扫描电子显微镜、偏光显微镜、粒度分析仪、X-射线衍射仪、红外光谱仪、差示扫描量热仪、快速黏度分析仪等分析手段研究经微细化处理前后玉米淀粉颗粒形貌、晶体结构、热力学特性、糊化特性、溶解度和膨胀度、冻融稳定性、持水能力等结构及性质的变化。结果表明,微细化处理后,淀粉颗粒形变的不规则,粒径明显减小,中位径(D50)由14.37μm减小到5.25μm,偏光十字减少,相对结晶度由33.43%降低至15.46%,淀粉颗粒结晶结构被破坏,由多晶态向无定形态转变,粉碎过程淀粉无新的基团产生;热焓值、糊化温度均降低,热糊稳定性好;溶解度、膨胀度均升高,持水能力增加,冻融稳定性好,产生较好的热糊稳定性和冷糊力学稳定性,该研究为玉米淀粉的深度加工与应用提供了理论依据及技术支撑。     

碾轧时间和频率对玉米淀粉机械力化学效应的影响

为了研究碾轧对玉米淀粉机械力化学效应的影响,该研究以玉米淀粉为原料,采用扫描电镜、偏光显微镜、激光共聚焦显微镜、X-射线衍射、傅立叶变换红外光谱仪、差示扫描量热仪、快速黏度分析仪等手段来研究碾轧处理时间和转速对样品的表面形貌、粒度分布、结晶结构、糊化特性和热特性等结构和性质的影响。结果表明,在频率为20 Hz条件下,碾轧处理3~9 h时,碾轧对淀粉结晶结构破坏作用较弱,主要是对颗粒的无定型区产生了破坏作用,破坏了无定型区的双螺旋结构,中央腔变大,孔道模糊。碾轧处理3~6 h时,淀粉颗粒形状发生不规则变化,粒径也发生了相应的变化,热焓值下降,而结晶度下降不显著。在碾轧处理9 h时,球状凸起变大,水溶指数、膨胀度、透光率、峰值黏度和热焓值都有所减小,而淀粉乳稳定性增强。碾轧处理12~24 h时,淀粉颗粒表面球状凸起变的不明显,淀粉颗粒结晶区内部双螺旋结构破坏,孔道增多变粗,粒径增大,热焓值下降。总之,频率为20 Hz时的碾轧处理对淀粉颗粒的无定形区、结晶区产生不同程度的机械力化学作用,导致玉米淀粉颗粒内部依次发生了受力、聚集和团聚效应。而频率为30 Hz时,由于剪切力更强,碾轧处理对淀粉结构和性质的影响更为显著。     

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.     

Uptake of Cu2+ by starch granules as affected by counterions

Potato and wheat starch granules were soaked in 1% aqueous solutions of copper(II) salts: acetate, chloride, and sulfate. Such treatment caused sorption of Cu(2+) ions at the granule surface and their penetration into the granule interior as was proven, for sectioned granules of investigated starch, by scanning electron microscopy combined with an X-ray microanalysis system (energy dispersive spectroscopy). Copper ions incorporated into the granules influenced the starch thermal stability. Uptake of Cu(2+) by potato, determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry, was much higher than obtained for the wheat starch. Moreover, it was dependent on copper counteranions present in the solution. In all investigated granules, the most effective sorption occurred in the acetate solution. Starch dehydration or/and freezing and thawing, affecting the water-dependent inner structure of the granules, also influenced the amount of Cu(2+) taken from the solutions. Thus, compared to that in native starch, this value was considerably higher in Cu(CH 3COO)2, almost unchanged in CuSO4, and significantly lower in the case of CuCl2 solution. The influence of chloride and sulfate anions seemed to correlate with their water structure-making and structure-breaking ability, affecting the migration of Cu(2+) in the amorphous parts of the granules. However, high Cu uptake observed for acetate solution could be explained on the basis of acetate anion hydrolysis activating the polysaccharide matrix for cation binding. The obtained results provide new information about interactions of starch granules with salt solution and therefore support our understanding of starch properties.     

贵州省黔南区不同侵蚀性雨型条件下生物措施对坡面产流产沙的响应

为探讨不同降雨条件下的生物措施对坡面产流产沙特征的影响，分析了贵州省黔南自治州云雾水土保持监测站2014—2017年4年6个小区104次侵蚀性降雨下的实测产流产沙数据。结果表明：（1）侵蚀性降雨按历时、雨强和雨量可分为3类，包括A雨型（中历时、中雨强、中雨量），B雨型（长历时、小雨强、大雨量），C雨型（短历时、大雨强、小雨量）。C雨型为引起区域水土流失的主要雨型。（2）较坡耕地而言，A雨型和C雨型条件下减流量均呈水平阶整地+经果林 > 水保林 > 人工草地 > 自然恢复草地 > 经果林的趋势；减沙量均为水平阶整地+经果林 > 人工草地 > 水保林 > 自然恢复草地 > 经果林。B雨型减流量为水平阶整地+经果林 > 自然恢复草地 > 水保林 > 人工草地 > 经果林；减沙量为水平阶整地+经果林 > 自然恢复草地 > 人工草地 > 水保林 > 经果林。除自然恢复草地外B型雨条件下各措施对水土流失的调控作用不如A雨型和C雨型。不同措施对坡面产沙量的调控作用优于产流量，自然恢复草地在B型雨下具有良好的水土保持效果。（3）坡耕地水土流失最为严重，多年平均土壤侵蚀模数为365.33 t/（km²·a），水平阶整地+经果林措施水土保持效果最优，其土壤侵蚀模数为3 t/（km²·a），较坡耕地可降低土壤侵蚀率达99.2%。同时，水平阶整地+经果林措施在A、B、C雨型下较坡耕地可分别减少产流62.7%，53.0%和63.2%。（4）坡面产流同降雨一样，集中在5—8月；C雨型与产沙量集中分布在5—6月。根据研究结果，研究区每年的5—8月为水土流失高发期，尤其是5，6月，这个时段应为水土流失治理的重点时段，在治理同时要针对不同雨型条件采取不同生物治理措施，并且要对C雨型进行重点防范。     

High temperature during grain fill alters the morphology of protein and starch deposits in the starchy endosperm cells of developing wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain

High temperature during grain fill reduces wheat yield and alters flour quality. Starchy endosperm cell morphology was investigated in wheat ( Triticum aestivum L. 'Butte 86') grain produced under a 24/17 or 37/28 °C day/night regimen imposed from anthesis to maturity to identify changes in cell structure related to the functional properties of flour. The duration of grain fill decreased substantially under the 37/28 °C regimen, but, like the 24/17 °C regimen, endosperm cells in the mature grain were packed with starch and protein. However, A-type starch granules increased in number, decreased in size, and exhibited pitting; B-type granules decreased in both number and size; and the protein matrix was proportionally greater in endosperm cells of grain produced under the 37/28 °C regimen. Such changes in starch granule number, size, and structure and in protein amount are known to contribute to variations in wheat flour quality.     

Musings on the Architecture and Molecular Arrangement of Polymers in Starch Granules Based on Iodine

The molecular architecture of starch has been the focus of research for over two centuries. However, studies toward understanding the granular architecture of starch have been limited to the crystalline lamellae, and the composition, structure, and organization of polymers in the amorphous background still remain unclear. This essay summarizes some recent results based on novel experiments with iodine vapor–granular starch interactions that occur in the amorphous regions of the granule. In combination with atomic force microscopy, light microscopy, powder spectrophotometry, and X‐ray diffractometry, iodine binding was used to explore the amorphous structures and the architecture of the granule. Results based on heating starch granules in the presence of iodine and their implications are also presented.     

均质压力对玉米淀粉机械力化学效应的影响

为了研究均质压力对玉米淀粉微观结构及理化性质的影响,该文以玉米淀粉为原料,通过X-射线衍射(X-ray diffraction,XRD)、扫描电镜(scanning electron microscope,SEM)、快速黏性分析仪(rapid visco analyser,RVA)、偏光显微镜(polarizing microscope,PLM)、激光共聚焦显微镜(confocal laser scanning microscopy,CLSM)等手段研究不同压力(20、60、100、140 MPa)下淀粉结构及性质变化,并探究其相互关系,揭示均质压力对淀粉颗粒机械力化学效应。结果表明:均质压力处理对玉米淀粉结构及性质产生显著影响。经20~140 MPa处理后,与原淀粉相比,中央腔及孔道结构模糊,粒径、糊化黏度减小,结晶度下降,水溶指数和透光率呈上升趋势。20~100 MPa范围内,随均质压力增大,淀粉颗粒形貌逐渐破坏,球状凸起结构增加,100 MPa处理时中心球体最为明显,且与60 MPa相比,结晶度变大,膨胀度显著下降。当140 MPa处理时,颗粒内部球状凸起、碎片及孔洞结构显著减少,偏光十字破坏,糊化焓降低。可见不同均质压力对淀粉颗粒的无定形区、亚结晶区和结晶区产生不同程度的机械力化学作用,导致淀粉颗粒内部依次发生了聚集和团聚效应。该结果为研究淀粉化学活性及生产高性能变性淀粉提供理论支撑。     

Starch properties of mutant rice high in resistant starch

As the staple food of over half the world's population, hot cooked rice high in resistant starch (RS) is of particular interest, which will have greater impact in the dietary prevention of diabetes and hyperlipidemia. A mutant rice high in RS in hot cooked rice, described as RS111, was comparatively studied with the wild type and common rice. Despite obviously low RS content in the raw milled rice, the RS content in the hot cooked rice of mutant RS111 was significantly higher than that of the wild type and common rice and, correspondingly, in vitro starch hydrolysis by porcine pancreatic alpha-amylase tends to be incomplete with low hydrolysis extent for the cooked mutant rice high in RS. Obvious differences in physicochemical properties, starch granule morphology, pasting properties, thermal properties, and X-ray diffraction pattern were observed among the mutant RS111, wild type, and common indica rice. The high-RS mutant was characterized by significantly higher apparent amylose content and crude lipid content, higher percentage of oval-shaped granules and bigger oval size, reduced paste viscosity, and low onset temperature, peak temperature, final temperature, enthalpy of gelatinization, and crystallinity.     

Nutritionally relevant parameters in low-phytate barley (hordeumvulgare L.) grain mutants

Nutritionally relevant parameters in barley low-phytate mutant grains were analyzed in order to assess the potential value of these lines for future feeding trials. Phytate (myo-inositol 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexakisphosphate) levels in grains from A- and B-type low-phytate mutants corresponded to 25% and 66% of those of the parent line content, respectively. These relative decreases in phytate were accompanied by proportional increases of inorganic phosphate amounts. Apart from phytate, A-type grains also contained substantial quantities of myo-inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate. Phytate levels in straw and root material from mutants were similar to parent line controls, indicating that low-phytate mutations were grain specific. Analysis of K, Mg, Ca, and Zn revealed normal or slightly increased mineral cation levels in grains from all low-phytate lines, suggesting that mutationally impaired phytate accumulation did not affect mineral storage capacity. Other nutritionally important parameters such as starch and protein contents were similar to parent line controls. Finally, dynamic changes in the phosphorus composition during kernel development suggested that A-type mutations directly affected phytate synthesis, whereas B-type mutations seemed to act on regulation of synthesis.     

Effect of gelatinization and hydrolysis conditions on the selectivity of starch hydrolysis with alpha-amylase from Bacillus licheniformis

Enzymatic hydrolysis of starch can be used to obtain various valuable hydrolyzates with different compositions. The effects of starch pretreatment, enzyme addition point, and hydrolysis conditions on the hydrolyzate composition and reaction rate during wheat starch hydrolysis with alpha-amylase from Bacillus licheniformis were compared. Suspensions of native starch or starch gelatinized at different conditions either with or without enzyme were hydrolyzed. During hydrolysis, the oligosaccharide concentration, the dextrose equivalent, and the enzyme activity were determined. We found that the hydrolyzate composition was affected by the type of starch pretreatment and the enzyme addition point but that it was just minimally affected by the pressure applied during hydrolysis, as long as gelatinization was complete. The differences between hydrolysis of thermally gelatinized, high-pressure gelatinized, and native starch were explained by considering the granule structure and the specific surface area of the granules. These results show that the hydrolyzate composition can be influenced by choosing different process sequences and conditions.     

Starch from Hull‐less Barley: Ultrastructure and Distribution of Granule‐Bound Proteins

Starch granules isolated from waxy, normal, and high‐amylose hullless barley grains were examined by transmission electron microscopy with cytochemical techniques. The micrographs showed two distinct regions of different sizes: 1) densely packed granule growth rings (which varied in size and number depending on the genotype), and 2) a loose filamentous network located in the central region of the granule. The granule ring width decreased with increasing amylose content. In all three genotypes, the growth rings closer to the granule surface were narrower in width than those within the granule interior. The waxy starch had wider intercrystalline amorphous growth rings, semicrystalline growth rings, and more open crystalline lamellae than normal and high‐amylose starches. Granule bound proteins (mainly integral proteins) were located in the central and peripheral (growth ring) regions of the granule.     

Morphological, structural, thermal, and rheological characteristics of starches separated from apples of different cultivars

The starches were separated from unripe apples of five cultivars (Criterion, Ruspippum, Red Spur, Skyline Supreme, and Granny Smith) and evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and dynamic viscoelasticity. SEM showed the presence of round granules as well as granules that had been partially degraded, probably by amylases. The starch granules in different apple starches ranged between 4.1 and 12.0 mum. Debranching of starch with isoamylase and subsequent fractionation of debranched materials by GPC revealed the presence of an apparent amylose, an intermediate fraction (mixture of amylose and amylopectin), long side chains of amylopectin, and short side chains of amylopectin in the range of 28-35.2, 3.6-4.4, 20-21.3, and 39.9-47.1%, respectively. The swelling power of starches ranged between 14.4 and 21.3 g/g. X-ray diffraction of apple starches showed a mixture of A- and B-type patterns. All apple starches showed peak intensities lower than that observed for normal corn and potato starch, indicating the lower crystallinity. The transition temperatures (onset temperature, T(o); peak temperature, T(p); and conclusion temperature, T(c)) and enthalpy of gelatinization (deltaH(gel)) determined using DSC ranged between 54.7 and 56.2 degrees C, between 57.1 and 59.1 degrees C, between 60.2 and 63.5 degrees C, and between 3.3 and 4.2 J/g, respectively. The viscoelastic properties of starch from different cultivars measured during heating and cooling using a rheometer differed significantly. Red Spur and Criterion starches with larger granule size showed higher G' and G' ' values, whereas those containing smaller size and amylolytically degraded granules showed lower G' and G' '.