Effects of monoglycerides on pasting properties of wheat starch after repeated heating and cooling

The effects of repeated heating and cooling on the properties of pastes prepared from a commercial wheat starch (Triticum aestivum L.) with added monoglycerides were studied using a Rapid Visco Analyser (RVA). The nanostructure of the freeze-dried pastes was determined by X-ray diffraction and small-angle X-ray scattering. Pastes prepared from the wheat starch alone, or from the starch mixed with tripalmitin, which does not form complexes with starch, produced regular viscosity profiles in the RVA when subjected to multiple heat-cool cycles. In comparison, the effects of adding monoglycerides (or monoacylglycerols) depended on the chain length and saturation of the fatty acid of the monoglyceride. Repeated heat-cool cycles in the RVA of the starch with different monoglycerides induced the formation of complexes of varying stability that influenced the viscosity trace of the paste during multiple heating and cooling cycles. Small-angle X-ray scattering in combination with X-ray diffraction proved useful in describing the nanostructural changes in the RVA pastes induced by monoglycerides and temperature cycling. The results indicate that the functional properties of starch pastes may be manipulated through the strategic selection of an added monoglyceride.     

Effect of glutathione on gelatinization and retrogradation of wheat flour and starch

Reduced glutathione (GSH) commonly exists in wheat flour and has remarkable influence on gluten properties. In this study, effect of GSH on the gelatinization and retrogradation of wheat flour and wheat starch were investigated to better understand the GSH-gluten-starch interactions in wheat flour. Compared with wheat starch, wheat flour showed significant decreases in peak and final viscosity, and gelatinization onset temperature with increasing GSH concentration. GSH depolymerized gluten and thereby broke down the protein barrier around starch granules to make the starch easily gelatinized. However, the interaction between GSH and wheat starch restrained starch swelling. GSH addition resulted in weakened structure with higher water mobility in freshly gelatinized wheat flour dispersions but decreased water mobility in wheat starch dispersions. After storage at 4 °C for 7 d, GSH increased elasticity and retrogradation degree in wheat flour dispersions but retarded retrogradation in wheat starch dispersions. The results indicated that GSH promoted retrogradation of wheat flour, which mainly attributed to the depolymerized gluten embedding in the leached starch chains, and inhibiting the re-association of amylose, and subsequently promoted the starch intermolecular associations and starch retrogradation. This study could provide valuable information for the control of the quality of wheat flour-based products.     

Fractionation of wheat and wheat flour into starch and gluten: overview of the main processes and the factors involved

The starch and gluten components of wheat flour or whole wheat kernels can be separated by a number of industrial processes. This review provides a summary of these processes from both starting materials. The wheat constituents of importance in the fractionation processes are briefly introduced, and the different fractionation processes described with emphasis on the parameters affecting the separation, such as flour composition, mixing and washing water, processing aids (with an emphasis on enzymes) and kernel pre-treatment (pearling) in the case of flour fractionation and steeping conditions and processing aids in the case of whole wheat. Although fractionation of flour is the basis for the current industrial processes, starch yields are impaired by starch damage as a result of milling and loss of starch to milling streams. On the other hand fractionation of whole kernels often leads to impaired gluten production as a result of harsh process conditions which ‘devitalise’ the gluten.     

Influence of wheat variety and dough preparation on FODMAP content in yeast-leavened wheat breads

FODMAPs are fermentable oligo-, di, and monosaccharides and polyols, which can have adverse effects on human health. Especially in individuals with gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, ingestion of FODMAPs may trigger or aggravate symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, or diarrhea. Our objectives were to investigate the FODMAP content in the flour of 21 wheat varieties and in their 42 yeast-leavened breads prepared with a short (110 min) or a long dough fermentation (24 h), the latter according to a typical baker's recipe. Fructan, glucose, fructose and excess fructose were measured using enzymatic kits. On average, the breads of both dough fermentations had a FODMAP content reduced by > 65% compared to that of the whole grain wheat flour. Average FODMAP content of both dough fermentations was 0.22 g per 100 g fresh bread. FODMAP content tended to be lower in the long compared to the short dough fermentation, however, the difference was not statistically significant. We also found that the 21 wheat varieties differed up to five times in their potential to form FODMAPs in bread. In conclusion, the choice of a low fructan wheat variety coupled with long dough fermentation with sourdough and yeast is best to minimize FODMAPs in breads.     

Effects of variety and fertiliser nitrogen on alcohol yield, grain yield, starch and protein content, and protein composition of winter wheat

The effects of nitrogen (N) fertiliser on grain size and shape, starch and protein concentration, vitreosity, storage protein composition, and alcohol yield of two winter wheat varieties contrasting in endosperm texture were studied in a field trial in Herefordshire, UK in 2004. Averaged across varieties, the alcohol yield was 439 L/tonne for grain with a protein concentration of 11.5 g/100 g. The soft endosperm wheat variety Riband produced on average 7.7 L more alcohol per tonne of grain at a given protein concentration than the hard endosperm variety, Option. At the same time, N fertiliser was shown to have significant effects on alcohol production through its major influence on grain protein concentration. Averaged over both varieties, there was a reduction in alcohol yield of 5.7 L for each 10 kg increase in protein content per tonne of grain. The starch concentration of Riband was 2.9 g/100 g higher than Option at a given grain protein concentration, supporting its higher observed alcohol yields. A low conversion of starch to alcohol in this study (6.30 L/10 kg starch) compared to the theoretical value (6.61 L/10 kg starch) indicated that there is potential for improvement of this character. The traits relating to grain size and shape were principally influenced by genotype, and were not influenced by N fertiliser. Conversely, there were only minor genotypic effects on grain protein concentration and vitreosity. An important finding was that there were no interactions between variety and N treatment for any of the variables considered, indicating that the response of the two varieties to changes in applied N was the same, resulting in consistent differences in starch concentration and alcohol yield between genotypes at different levels of grain protein. An analysis of the composition of the wheat storage proteins by size-exclusion chromatography showed that the gliadins increased on average by 0.56 g per g increase in total grain protein and were quantitatively the major protein fraction, suggesting that selection for low gliadin content may be a desirable means by which to reduce grain protein, and thereby increase alcohol yield in wheat. The relationship between alcohol yield per unit area and applied N rate was described by a quadratic function and the maximum alcohol yield per unit area was ca. 3630 L/ha. Statistical analysis suggested that the economic optimum rate of N applied for grain yield was close to the optimum N rate for maximum alcohol productivity.     

Amylolysis of wheat starches. I. Digestion kinetics of starches with varying functional properties

The susceptibility of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) starches to hydrolysis by pancreatic α-amylase in vitro was investigated using a series of 35 starches with slightly enriched amylose content within a narrow range (36–43%), but widely differing functional properties. After 2 h of incubation with α-amylase, native starch granules were digested to different extents, but there were no differences between any of the starches once they were gelatinized. Cooling the starch for 72 h at 4 °C after cooking reduced the susceptibility of all of the starches to enzymic digestion by a similar extent, whereas addition of monopalmitin decreased the digestibility of the starches that contained amylose, but did not affect the digestibility of waxy starches that were also included in the study. Amylopectin chain length distribution of partly digested starch granules displayed increased proportion of short and medium chains and decreased proportion of long chains in comparison to native granules. Separated large (A) and small (B) starch granules from three of the starches differed significantly in their susceptibility to in-vitro digestion. A predictive model of the susceptibility of starch in the different forms was developed from the physico-chemical and functional properties of the starches.     

Hydrothermal modification of wheat starch. Part 2. Thermal characteristics of pasting and rheological properties of pastes

Water suspensions of starch (with the concentration of 8 g/100 g) were prepared in a measuring vessel of a Brabender viscograph and heated to temperatures of 74, 76.5, 79, 81.5, 84, 86.5, 89, 91.5 or 94 °C under continuous stirring. The resultant solution was cooled and frozen, and then defrosted. Thermal characteristics of re-pasting, rheological properties of produced pastes, starch solubility in water and swelling power were determined.The heating and freezing of the wheat starch suspension induced changes in its properties, with tendency and extent of these changes depending on temperature of pre-heating. The thermal characteristics of the analyzed starches revealed three peaks that corresponded to transitions proceeding during solubilization of retrograded amylopectin and retrograded amylose and solubilization of amylose–lipid complexes. Retrogradation of amylose induced by starch pre-heating followed by its freezing affected also the consistency coefficient and yield stress of the pastes formed by the analyzed starches. Values of these rheological parameters were higher at higher temperatures of pre-heating, compared to the pastes prepared from native starch, and were changing accordingly to the determined second order polynomial function. Amylose retrogradation occurring during the production of starch preparations diminished their solubility in water and increased their swelling power compared to native starch.     

Variation in polar lipids located on the surface of wheat starch

It is unknown whether starch isolated before dough development has the same surface lipid composition as starch isolated after dough development. The abundance of starch surface polar lipids is related to the physical hardness of the endosperm, but the variation in specific lipid classes and molecular species is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the variation in polar lipids present on the surface of wheat starch granules. The experimental wheat lines used are, within each set, near-isogenic to each other but vary in endosperm hardness. Starch was isolated using two different processes: a dough and a batter method. Direct infusion electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry was used to identify and quantitatively determine the polar lipid species in wheat flour and on starch. Wide ranges in starch surface polar lipid concentrations were observed between the starch isolation methods. Starch isolation method provided a greater source of variation than did wheat kernel hardness. When dough is optimally mixed, lipids originally on the surface of wheat starch are dissociated, whereas in a batter system, starch surface lipids stay associated with the starch surface. The predominant starch surface polar lipids were digalactosyldigylcerol (DGDG), monogalactosyldigylcerol (MGDG) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) polar lipid classes.     

Effect of repeated heating and cooling cycles on the pasting properties of starch

The properties of starch and starch–lipid pastes have been explored using a novel extended Rapid Visco Analyser (RVA) profile, in which the heating and cooling cycles are repeated five times. Starches from four wheat varieties with amylose content ranging from 23 to 27%, and waxy starches of wheat, rice and maize were tested, alone and in mixtures with lauric acid and monopalmitin (glyceryl-1-monopalmitin). Gels of all of the starches formed and melted reproducibly during repeated heating and cooling in the RVA. The addition of lauric acid to the waxy starches had no effect on the multiple RVA profile. Monopalmitin caused an increase in viscosity during the heating stage of the second to the fifth cycles with the waxy starches, which was attributed to the presence of monopalmitin aggregates. Changes in the multiple cycle viscosity traces observed when monopalmitin or lauric acid was added to the amylose-containing starches were complex. It was concluded that RVA paste viscosities were determined by starch–lipid interactions, as well as by free lipid in the starch mixtures. The water solubility of the lipid and association of proteins with starch granules influence these interactions.     

Impact of re-grinding on hydration properties and surface composition of wheat flour

The combination of two analytical methodologies (water vapor sorption isotherm by using the DVS and chemical surface composition by using the XPS) has been used to enhance the understanding of the impact of re-grinding on the wheat flour hydration mechanism. A controlled atmosphere microbalance was used to construct water sorption isotherms at 25 °C of different samples of wheat flours obtained by successive re-grinding of native wheat flour.     

Hydrothermal modification of wheat starch part 1. Effect of particle size on the viscosity of formed pastes

Aqueous starch suspensions (8 g/100 g) were prepared in a measuring flask of a Brabender viscograph and heated to temperatures of 74.0, 76.5, 79.0, 81.5, 84.0, 86.5, 89.0, 91.5 or 94.0 °C under continuous stirring. The resultant solution was cooled and frozen, and then defrosted and subjected to re-pasting in the Brabender viscograph.The heating and freezing of wheat starch suspension evoked changes in its properties, with the tendency and extent of these changes dependent on the pre-heating temperature. During re-pasting of the produced starch preparations in a Brabender viscograph, an increase occurred in particle size of the granules—and 8-fold increase in paste viscosity—compared with pastes produced from native starch. The viscosity of pastes was positively correlated with the size of formed gel sacks determined using a laser particle size analyzer. This was also found to depend on pre-heating temperature and changed according to a determined quadratic function. The strength of produced gels, measured with the oscillating–rotating viscometer, was higher than that of the gel produced from native starch and depended on the pre-heating temperature; however, these changes followed a determined quadratic function.     

Rheological properties of wheat flour processed at low levels of hydration: Influence of starch and gluten

The rheological properties of wheat flour under processing such as extrusion (with 28% moisture content, wet basis) are influenced by the molecular changes its components undergo during processing. But, there was no simple relationship between the wheat-flour characteristics and their rheological properties. In order to investigate the quantitative and qualitative effects of the individual flour components on rheological properties, model blends of wheat starch and wheat gluten with different starch/gluten ratios were studied. The effects of gluten and starch quality were also investigated by using different gluten types and by modifying the amylose content of starch, respectively. The shear viscosity of the blends, determined by capillary rheometry under controlled conditions (35% moisture content, 140 °C), was observed to be modified by both gluten and amylose content. The changes undergone by wheat gluten under these conditions were analysed by HPLC, to determine the levels of unextractable polymeric proteins, and by Lab-on-a-Chip analysis of protein composition, to follow the polymerisation of protein under processing. This study indicated that in low hydrated products in the molten state, shear viscosity is affected by the structure of the blends as determined by fluorescence microscopy and by the molecular changes occurring during processing.     

Effects of region and cultivar on alkylresorcinols content and composition in wheat bran and their antioxidant activity

This study evaluated the effects of cultivar and region on the composition of alkylresorcinols (ARs) of 24 wheat bran samples from 6 cultivars grown in four locations (Bath, Nairn, Palmerstone and Ridgetown) in Ontario (ON), Canada, using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Total phenolic content (TPC) of wheat bran extracts was determined by the Folin–Ciocalteau method and the antioxidant activity of wheat bran extracts was measured by 2, 2-Dipheny-1-picryhydrazyl radical (DPPH) scavenging activity and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). The highest ARs content (μg/g) was found in cultivars Emmit (1522), Harvard (1305), Warthog (1170), and Superior (853), grown in Ridgetown. The relative saturated and unsaturated ARs (%) were 89 and 11, respectively. Total ARs content, their composition, TPC and antioxidant activity of wheat bran extracts were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by location and cultivar and their interaction. TPC, %DPPH_dis, and ORAC values for different wheat bran sample extracts ranged from 3 to 58 (mg FAE/g), 5 to 68 (%), and 6 to 94 (μmol TE/g), respectively. Our work provides a detailed examination of region and cultivar effects on potential of ARs in wheat bran and the results can be used for screening and breeding purposes.     

The effect of gluten on the retrogradation of wheat starch

The retrogradation of amylopectin in a wheat starch and a wheat starch/gluten (10:1) blend prepared by extrusion and containing 34% water (wet weight basis) was studied using X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry and NMR relaxometry during storage at constant water content and temperature (25 °C). For both samples, amylopectin ‘fully’ retrograded after 2–3 days storage, i.e. the different parameters monitored with time to follow the retrogradation had reached their maximum value, and crystallised predominantly into the A polymorph. Under the experimental conditions used, there was no evidence of any significant effects of the presence of gluten on the kinetics, extent or polymorphism of amylopectin retrogradation.     

Combined nitrogen and sulphur fertilisation and its effect on wheat quality and protein composition measured by SE-FPLC and proteomics

Soil sulphur deficiency, which is increasingly prevalent in Western Europe, lowers wheat yields, and also affects the gluten quality of the flour. Differences in S availability may change the proportion of S-poor to S-rich gliadins and glutenin subunits. This may cause unpredictable and unwanted variations in wheat quality. The combined effects of nitrogen (N) and sulphur (S) fertilisers and split application of S and N on wheat gluten quality and composition were investigated. The results revealed effects of S fertilisation on dough quality. At high N fertilisation levels significant responses to S fertilisation were found which emphasised the need for precision application of S in intensive wheat production systems. Protein fractionation by SE-FPLC showed that quality differences were associated with changing proportions of high M_r polymeric proteins. Changes in protein composition of salt soluble proteins were also confirmed by proteomics. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and one of the serpin protein spots increased at high N, combined with the lower S level. The enzymes also increased in samples with increased S fertilisation combined with low N, but was not changed at higher N levels. Furthermore, at high N the serpin protein spot, and also a 27 K protein and one unidentified protein spot decreased with increasing S.     

Influence of reducing agents on properties of thermo-molded wheat gluten bioplastics

The present work aims to study the influence of reducing agents of sodium bisulfite, sodium sulfite and thioglycolic acid on the equibiaxial extensional deformation of glycerol plasticized wheat gluten and the properties of gluten bioplastics thermo-molded at 125 °C. Moisture absorption, weight loss and water uptake, uniaxial tensile properties (Young's modulus, tensile strength, elongation at break and tensile set), and morphology observations were performed to characterize the physical properties of the thermo-molded gluten bioplastics. The results showed that reducing agents facilitated the viscous flow and restrained the elastic recovery of the plasticized gluten while not hindering the crosslinking reaction of gluten proteins during thermo-molding. On the contrary, reducing agents do not significantly influence moisture absorption, Young's modulus, tensile strength and the morphology of the gluten bioplastics thermo-molded at 125 °C. It is shown that reducing agents are highly effective for tailoring the flow viscosity of the plasticized gluten dough and the mechanical properties of thermo-molded gluten bioplastics.     

Enhancement of the pasting properties of teff and maize starches through wet–heat processing with added stearic acid

This study determined the effects of stearic acid on the functional properties of teff starch, a compound granule starch in comparison to maize, a simple type granule starch. Stearic acid was incorporated into teff and maize starches and pasted (held for 5 or 120 min at 91 °C) with an RVA (Rapid Visco Analyser). Teff starch with added stearic acid (0.25 and 1.5% starch basis) did not produce a pasting peak viscosity within short holding time (5 min) compared to maize starch. The paste viscosity of both teff and maize starches with stearic acid increased by about three times with long pasting (120 min). This increase in paste viscosity occurred earlier for teff starch than maize starch. Teff starch with stearic acid was more viscous and was non-gelling. Confocal laser scanning microscopy showed that stearic acid did not diffuse in teff starch granules, but seemed to coat them. However, stearic acid diffused inside maize starch granules through channels. This microstructural difference may explain the different pasting behavior. The early high paste viscosity and non-gelling properties of the teff starch modified with stearic acid could have promising applications in foods, for example better mouthfeel with lower starch concentration.     

The effect of different nixtamalisation processes on some physicochemical properties,nutritional composition and glycemic index

The objective was to evaluate corn tortillas made from three nixtamalisation processes including Traditional with lime (TNP), Classic with ashes (CNP) and Ecological with Ca salts (ENP), and their effect on mineral content (Ca, Fe, K, and Mg), chemical composition, resistant starch (RS), and glycemic index (GI). ENP with calcium propionate and carbonate had higher fat values than tortillas from CNP. EPN and CNP presented the higher dietary fibre, explained by the highest pericarp retention. In TNP the pericarp and external layers were lost during the cooking, steeping and washing steps and had lower crude fiber. The amount of RS increased in nixtamal and tortillas independently of nixtmalisation processes. Annealing of starch was shown by the increase of onset, peak and final gelatinisation temperatures in nixtamalised products compared with untreated maize. Gelatinisation was higher for calcium propionate ENP and 1% ash CNP. Native maize changed from A-type to V-type pattern in nixtamalised products denoting the formation of amylose-lipid complexes. Overall, nixtamalisation processes and salts used increased RS. The GI was affected by chemical composition in tortillas and amount of RS. Tortillas made from ENP Ca propionate and ENP 1% ash CNP can be classified as low GI foods.     

Studies on the chemical composition and physico-chemical properties of seeds of some wild plants

The Seeds of the fruits of some wild plants were analysed to establish their proximate compositions and the physico-chemical characteristics of the oils. The iodine values of the oils were not greater than 88 but the saponification values were in the range 157–261 mg KOH. Proximate values of the protein, oil and carbohydrate contents of the seeds suggest that they may be adequate for the formulation of animal feeds, subject to a knowledge of the levels of possible toxic substances. The Storage property of the oil fromLophira lanceolata seed were studied over a period of four weeks under conditions of light (ambient), darkness (ambient) and refrigeration. The iodine value of the oil decreased in all cases but much more so on exposure to light. In contrast, the peroxide value of the oil showed very little change under conditions of darkness and refrigeration over the same period but increased by seven fold for the photo-exposed oil.