Improving effect of lyophilization on functional properties of resistant starch preparations formed by acid hydrolysis and heat treatment

In this study, effects of lyophilization on the functional properties of acid modified and autoclaved corn starch preparations were investigated. RS contents and pasting properties of these starch preparations were also determined. Significant increases in solubility were observed as the hydrolysis level of the lyophilized samples increased. All of the acid-modified gelatinized–autoclaved–lyophilized samples had higher water binding values than those of native starch and heat treated oven-dried native starch. Acid-modified gelatinized–autoclaved–lyophilized samples (with storage at 95°C: GASL or without storage: GAL, before lyophilization) improved emulsion properties of soy protein solution significantly. Acid modification seems to be a prerequisite to achieve improving effect of lyophilization. While native starch did not contain any RS, the level increased to 8.1% due to gelatinization, autoclaving and oven-drying (Control 2). The RS content of Control 2 was higher than that of gelatinized–autoclaved–lyophilized native starch (N-GAL, 2.9%). The samples stored prior to lyophilization had higher RS contents as compared to the corresponding unstored samples. The highest RS content (12.4%) was observed in 2h-GASL sample. Cold viscosity was observed in the RVA curves of N-GASL, 2h-GASL, N-GAL and 2h-GAL samples. A possible mechanism/model is suggested to explain the lack or existence of a cold viscosity.     

Gluten free rice cookies with resistant starch ingredients from modified waxy rice starches: Nutritional aspects and textural characteristics

Experimental gluten-free (GF) rice cookies were formulated with 100% rice flour (CTR) or by substituting 50% of rice flour with native waxy rice starch (WRS) or with three different resistant starch (RS) ingredients obtained from debranched, annealed or acid and heat-moisture treated WRS (RS_a, RS_b and RS_c, respectively). Chemical composition, in vitro starch digestibility and physical and textural characteristics were carried out. Among cookies, RS_a-cookies had the highest total dietary fibre content, the lowest rapidly digestible starch and the highest RS contents. All the three RS preparations have proved effective in increasing the proportion that tested as RS with respect to native WRS. However, the estimated RS loss for each applied RS ingredients caused by the baking process followed the order of RS_a < RS_c < RS_b. Last, the lowest vitro glycaemic index value was measured for RS_a-cookies. Among cookies, differences in colour and hardness were reported. The partial replacement of commercial rice flour with RS_a could contribute to formulate GF cookies with higher dietary fibre content and likely slowly digestible starch properties more than equivalent amounts of RS_b and RS_c.     

Starch digestibility and the estimated glycemic score of different types of rice differing in amylose contents

Three types of rice cultivars (indica, japonica and hybrid rice) with four levels of amylose were selected for assessing variability in starch digestibility. A vitro enzymatic starch digestion method was applied to estimate the glycemic index in vivo based on the kinetics of starch hydrolysis in vitro. The results indicated that significant differences in term of glycemic response were observed in three types of rice. Amylose content had an obviously impact on the estimated glycemic score (EGS) value and resistant starch (RS) content. The contents of RS were increased with the increasing amylose in the same type of rice. Japonica rice was significantly lower in RS content compared to indica rice and hybrid rice with similar amylose. The high amylose rice cultivar ZF201, which was characterized by low major RVA parameters, i.e. peak viscosity (PKV), hot paste viscosity (HPV) and cool paste viscosity (CPV), were obviously higher in RS content and lower in EGS. The retrogradation of cooked rice led to a reduction of HI and EGS of all varieties. Starch hydrolysis tends to be more quick and complete for the waxy and low amylose rice than for the intermediate and high amylose rice.     

Cause of varietal difference in insulin and glucose responses to ingested rice

Combined data on four rices differing in amylose content suggested that difference in the response or the increase in blood plasma insulin and glucose in man to ingested rice was a result of difference in Amylograph cooked paste consistency and amylose content rather than to difference in starch lipids and starch gelatinization temperature.     

Muffins with resistant starch: Baking performance in relation to the rheological properties of the batter

The effect on baked muffins of progressively replacing wheat flour with resistant starch (RS) was studied. Muffin volume and height and the number and area of gas cells decreased significantly when the RS level reached about 15% (by weight of total formulation) or higher. Rheological properties of the raw batters were studied: the mechanical spectra of batters at 25 °C, the evolution of the dynamic moduli (G′ and G″) with rising temperatures (from 25 to 85 °C) and the mechanical spectra at 85 °C were obtained from oscillatory rheological tests. The decrease in the viscosity and in the elastic properties of the muffin batter as the flour was increasingly replaced by RS was related to the baking performance of the final baked products.     

Root response to aerobic conditions in rice,estimated by Comair root length scanner and scanner-based image analysis

Precise evaluation of root system architecture is important for understanding how rice plants are adapted to non-puddled and non-flooded conditions in aerobic culture. The objective of this study was to compare estimates of root length by the Comair root length scanner and a flat bed scanner and image analysis software in rice grown in aerobic, near-saturated and flooded fields. Fine roots (diameter < 0.2 mm) accounted for >80% of root length in all hydrological conditions. The Comair root length scanner detected fewer fine roots than the software; root length estimated by the Comair scanner was between that of roots wider than 0.1 mm and roots wider than 0.2 mm estimated by image analysis software. Importantly, total root length under aerobic and near-saturated conditions was 10–30% of that under flooding by image analysis software, but not by the Comair scanner. Digital image analysis detected genotypic differences in fine root development in the subsurface layer in aerobic culture that the Comair root length scanner would have missed. Although root length measurement by image analysis software is still under development, this new tool will facilitate the phenotyping of root system architecture and shed light on the roles of fine roots in water-saving rice cultivation.     

Changes in gelatinization and rheological characteristics of japonica rice starch induced by pressure/heat combinations

Rice starch suspensions of 10% dry matter (DM) were treated by heat (0.1 MPa at 20–85 °C) or pressure/heat combinations (100–600 MPa at 20, 40 and 50 °C) for 15 min to investigate their gelatinization and rheological characteristics. The maximum swelling index of about 12 g water per gram of DM was obtained by thermal treatment at 85 °C, meanwhile, that of 7.0 g was observed by 600-MPa pressurization at 50 °C. The higher temperatures or pressures resulted in the higher degrees of gelatinization. Furthermore, treatments of 0.1 MPa at 85 °C, 500 MPa at 50 °C and 600 MPa at various temperatures caused complete gelatinization of rice starch. The consistency index (K) and storage modulus (G′) dramatically increased from 70 °C or 400 MPa. The G′ values were higher in pressure-treated samples than those in thermal-treated samples. Therefore, an application of pressure/heat combinations as a processing method to improve the quality of rice starch products would be possible.     

Dietary fibre,sugar, starch and amino acid content of kale,ryegrass and seed of rape and field beans as influenced by S- and N-fertilization

In pot experiments, S-deficiency decreased the seed weight of rape from 4.30 to 2.44 g/1000 seeds at highest N-level. N/S ratios varied from 5.8 to 45.0 and from 3.7 to 21.6 in ryegrass and kale. S-deficiency tended to decrease the fat(oil) content. In kale and ryegrass, it was increased by N-applications, but decreased in rape. S-deficiency had very little effect on starch and sugar content, whereas N-deficiency in kale greatly increased starch (eightfold) and sugar content. Soluble (SDF) and insoluble dietary fibre (IDF) content was hardly affected by S-deficiency. In kale and ryegrass N-deficiency decreased SDF-content, but increased IDF-content. Cystine and methionine concentrations (g/16 g N) were affected by S-deficiency, most strongly at high N-levels, where decreases in kale, ryegrass, rape and field beans amounted to respectively 18,39,40 and 17% for cystine and 27,59,24 and 6% for methionine. Also, lysine, threonine and tryptophan were decreased. S-deficiency increased aspartic acid (asparagine) content of ryegrass (fourfold) and of arginine in rape and kale. In N-balance trials with rats, S-deficiency reduced the biological value (BV) of the protein of kale from 65 to 40 and of field bean seed from 70 to 61. Corresponding decreases in digestible energy (DE) were from 56 to 48 and from 82 to 78, respectively.     

Effect of various drought stresses and subsequent recovery on proline,total soluble sugar and starch metabolisms in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties

ABSTRACT

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most important staple foods in the world, however most improved rice varieties are susceptible to drought stress. A two-year study was conducted to explore the effects of various drought stresses and subsequent recovery on the accumulation and degradation of proline, total soluble sugar and starch in different rice varieties at vegetative stage. The results showed that relative water content in the leaves and sheaths of rice varieties significantly decreased under drought stresses, but not at the same rate. Under control and drought conditions, the water content in sheaths was higher than that in leaves. Interestingly, under severe drought stress in 2015, the leaf water content was higher than the sheath water content. The water distribution between leaves and sheaths might be a response of plants to protect leaf system from devastation by drought. Proline was highly accumulated under drought stress but rapidly decreased after re-watering. The drought tolerant variety DA8 expressed higher ability in accumulation of proline than susceptible varieties. In general, total soluble sugar and starch contents in leaves and sheaths of varieties decreased under drought stress conditions. Total soluble sugar and starch content of DA8 were less affected than other varieties under drought conditions. Our study indicated that metabolisms of total soluble sugar and starch in rice were affected by both environmental conditions and characteristics of varieties. Proline accumulation ability of varieties can be used as a useful indicator for drought tolerant potential in rice breeding for water-limited environments.     

Agronomic,molecular and antioxidative characterization of red- and purple-pericarp rice (Oryza sativa L.) mutants in Taiwan

Pigmentation of rice grain is controlled by Ra, Rc and Rd genes, and the expressions of these genes differ among red-, purple- and white-pericarp varieties. The present study examined the grain yield and the expression of Ra, Rc and Rd genes in non-waxy white-pericarp rice SA418 and waxy white-pericarp rice SA419 and their respective red-pericarp and purple-pericarp mutants with waxy or non-waxy endosperm. Significant variations in 100-grains weight and grain yield were observed among the tested mutants. The Ra was expressed in purple-pericarp mutants, while the Rc was expressed in red-pericarp mutants. The total phenolics, total flavonoids, total anthocyanins and total proanthocyanidins contents and antioxidant activities in the bran part also differed among the mutants. Non-waxy red-pericarp mutant M-69 had heavier 100-grains weight (2.86 g), contained more total phenolics (49.37 mg g⁻¹ bran dry weight) and produced higher grain yield (6.93 t ha⁻¹) than white-pericarp rices SA418 (2.43 g, 2.89 mg g⁻¹ bran dry weight and 2.80 t ha⁻¹, respectively) and SA419 (2.62 g, 2.20 mg g⁻¹ bran dry weight and 6.73 t ha⁻¹, respectively). Thus, the polished rice grain of M-69 can be used for staple food consumption, and its bran parts are useful for producing health-promoting by-product.     

Characterisation of starch during germination and seedling development of a rice mutant with a high content of resistant starch

To acquire a better understanding of whether RS influences the dynamics of in vivo starch digestion and seed vigour, the high-RS rice mutant RS4 (RS ca. 10%) and the wild type R7954 were used to investigate total amylase activity, seedling vigour, starch content and starch granule structure during germination. RS4 exhibited similar seed vigour to R7954. Amylose and amylopectin in R7954 showed synchronous degradation throughout the whole process, while amylopectin was hydrolysed significantly faster than amylose in RS4 during the earlier germination stages. The starch residues of RS4 after germination (GD) lost endotherm peaks and showed a special X-ray diffraction pattern with only two peaks at around 16.90° and 21.62°, probably due to remnants of amylopectin and its tight crosslinking with the cell wall. The remaining starch after 10 GD, primarily amylopectin may make a critical contribution to total resistant starch content. These results indicated that RS had no negative impact on seed vigour in rice lines, although RS cannot be hydrolysed by α-amylase from human and animal in vitro. By appropriately increasing the special amylopectin fraction, a new breeding programme of high RS crops and improvement in the eating quality of high RS rice varieties might be achieved.     

Properties of maize starch modified by ball milling in ethanol medium and low field NMR determination of the water molecular mobility in their gels

Ethanol as moisturizing agent and ball-milling treatment, has been combined in order to determine their impacts on the improvement of the properties of physically modified maize (Zea mays) starch granules. The content of ethanol has been set respecting a ratio of starch to ethanol varying from 1:0 to 1:3 (w:v), and the ball-milling time varied between 0 and 72 h. We observed that the increase of the amylose content varied in a more effective way with increase of the milling time (p < 0.05) than with the variation of the starch to ethanol ratios. As expected, modified starches were more transparent, more soluble, less crystalline, and presented damaged structures. In all cases, the starch granule sizes were better distributed at ratios of starch to ethanol of 1:0 and 1:3 (w:v) respectively. In addition, the impact of the combination of these treatments on the mobility of water molecules in starch gels characterized by the transverse relaxation time (T₂), as well as the abundance of protons (¹H T₂) in each populations were determined by low field NMR. Mobility of water molecules within starch gels increased at high temperature. Nonetheless, the proton population at T₂ > 10 ms (characterized by T₂₂) for the modified starch (starch/ethanol, 1:3 w:v) was fundamental in the different water concentrations, and accounts for 70 to 90% of total protons, at temperatures >60 °C.     

Effect of nitrogen fertilizer application on grain phytic acid and protein concentrations in japonica rice and its variations with genotypes

Thirty-one japonica cultivars with contrasting agronomic traits were used and 5 nitrogen (N) fertilizer treatments of level and timing were performed to determine the effects of N application on grain phytic acid and proteins including albumin, globulin, prolamin, and glutelin. Variance analysis showed a large effect of N and a smaller effect of cultivar on grain phytic acid and proteins. With increased N level, grain phytic acid concentrations progressively reduced whereas concentrations of the 4 proteins and ratios of glutelin to total protein increased, indicating that N level has a beneficial effect on rice nutritional quality. In addition, substantial genotypic differences in response of grain phytic acid and proteins to N treatments were detected. Some cultivars such as Xiushui09, Zhendao10, and Yanjing5 exhibited more stability of grain proteins under contrasting N treatments, and the significance of this stability is discussed in regard to its use in rice quality improvement.     

Gene response in rice plants treated with continuous fog influenced by pH,was similar to that treated with biotic stress

Background

Throughout Asia, including Japan, rice plants are cultivated in a wide range of areas from lowlands to highlands and are frequently exposed to fog, including acid fog. Some physiological studies have shown that acid fog can be a stress factor for plants. We analyzed the gene expression profiles of rice plants treated with artificially prepared simulated acid fog (SiAF) or simulated neutral fog (SiNF) for 1 or 7 days.

Results

Microarray analysis results suggested that both the SiAF and the SiNF treatments induced the expression of genes involved in the defense and stress responses in rice plants. Induction of such genes was detected in plants treated with SiAF for 1 day, and the number of induced genes increased in plants treated with SiAF for 7 days. The genes for defense and stress responses were also induced by SiNF for 7 days, although they were not induced by SiNF for 1 day. The gene expression profiles of the SiAF-treated and the SiNF-treated plants were compared to those of plants treated with other stress factors. The comparison revealed that both SiAF and SiNF treatments have similar effects to biotic stresses and ozone stress. The genes encoding NADPH oxidase and germin, which function in apoplasts, were also induced by SiAF, SiNF and biotic stresses.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that both the SiAF and the SiNF treatments may result in oxidative stress through the apoplastic production of reactive oxygen species.     

Effects of salt and low light intensity during the vegetative stage on susceptibility of rice to male sterility induced by chilling stress during the reproductive stage

We tested whether exposing rice plants to abiotic stress (salt or shade) during vegetative growth affects the chilling tolerance of reproductive organs, which is one of the most important traits for rice growing in a cool climate; we used two rice cultivars with different tolerance in two growing seasons. We divided the vegetative growth into three phases to clarify the most sensitive period: 7–22 days after transplanting (DAT), 23–38 DAT and 39–54 DAT. Chilling tolerance of the pre-stressed plants was based on the male sterility induced by low temperatures. Shade and salt stress during all three vegetative growth phases significantly reduced stomatal conductance. Shade decreased the specific leaf weight and the leaf sugar and starch contents, but salt had no significant effect, despite causing leaf damage. Low temperatures during the reproductive stage induced spikelet sterility in all plants, but the magnitude was greater in the salt- and shade-stressed plants of both cultivars, especially those stressed late during vegetative growth. The increased spikelet sterility caused by chilling was closely related to the reduction of the total spikelet number per panicle. This is the first study to show that salt and low light stress during vegetative growth increased the susceptibility of rice plants to chilling damage during panicle development.     

Phytic acid,in vitro protein digestibility,dietary fiber,and minerals of pulses as influenced by processing methods

The objective of this project was to determine the effect of various types of processing on selected nutrition related parameters of commonly consumed Indian pulses and soybean. Germination reduced the phytic acid content of chickpea and pigeonpea seeds by over 60%, and that of mung bean, urd bean, and soybean by about 40%. Fermentation reduced phytic acid contents by 26–39% in all these legumes with the exception of pigeonpea in which it was reduced by more than 50%. Autoclaving and roasting were more effective in reducing phytic acid in chickpea and pigeonpea than in urd bean, mung bean, and soybean. Germination and fermentation greatly increased the in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD). IVPD was only slightly increased by roasting and autoclaving of all legumes. Germination and fermentation also remarkably decreased the total dietary fiber (TDF) in all legumes. Autoclaving and roasting resulted in slight increases in TDF values. All the processing treatments had little effect on calcium, magnesium and iron contents.     

齐穗至乳熟期不同温度对水稻南粳9108籽粒激素含量、淀粉积累及其合成关键酶活性的影响

【目的】为了明确灌浆结实前中期不同温度对晚粳稻籽粒灌浆、总淀粉及其组分含量的影响特征及其机理,【方法】以优质食味粳稻南粳9108为材料,利用植物培养箱控温,于水稻灌浆结实期设置高温(HT,日均温度31℃)、中温(MT,日均温度26℃)和低温(LT,日均温度21℃)三个处理,以自然温度为对照(CK),研究灌浆结实前中期持续高低温对晚粳稻籽粒灌浆、内源激素含量、淀粉及其及合成关键酶活性的影响。【结果】随温度上升(21℃～31℃),晚粳稻结实率和千粒重降低;灌浆前中期籽粒总淀粉积累速率加快,但持续时间短,总含量降低,而直链淀粉含量及其所占比例在整个灌浆期均呈降低趋势;灌浆前中期脱落酸(ABA)含量显著增加,赤霉素(GA3)含量降低,玉米素核苷(ZR)含量呈"先增先降"趋势;MT处理有利于提高灌浆结实期籽粒生长素(IAA)含量,HT和LT处理均降低籽粒IAA含量,LT处理下,IAA含量先降后升,而HT处理籽粒IAA含量一直处于较低水平;籽粒可溶性淀粉合成酶(SSS)活性与ZR变化规律相似,也呈"先增先降"趋势,但二者在灌浆结实期并不同步;淀粉分支酶(SBE)活性增加而淀粉脱分支酶(DBE)活性降低。【结论】不同温度显著影响晚粳稻籽粒内源激素含量和淀粉合成关键酶活性的变化,进而影响晚粳稻籽粒灌浆、总淀粉及其组分的积累。     

Simultaneous fortification of rice with folic acid and β-carotene or vitamin A by limited-water parboiling

Rice fortification by parboiling has been used to fortify rice with a single or a combination of multiple nutrients. While several studies have demonstrated the success of rice fortification with minerals by the parboiling technique, the number of studies that used vitamins as fortificants is limited with varying results. A limited-water soaking method has been introduced as a feasible and more sustainable alternative to the conventional excess-water soaking in parboiling. This study investigated the application of limited-water soaking in the simultaneous fortification of rice with water- and fat-soluble vitamins. Pure and water-soluble forms of β-carotene and vitamin A were first compared to identify a more effective form to be combined with folic acid. Water-soluble forms of β-carotene and vitamin A were easy to incorporate into the soaking water and presented effective fortification without affecting rice milling quality, the amount of wastewater and solids in wastewater. Milled rice fortified with folic acid combined with water-soluble forms of β-carotene or vitamin A in the limited-water soaking method contributed to about 75% of the recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) for folic acid, about 173% (female) and 134% (male) of the RDAs for β-carotene, and to about 58% (female) and 45% (male) of the RDAs for vitamin A. Rice fortified with β-carotene showed a greater uptake and a more orange color compared to the others. Thus, fortification of rice with vitamins by limited-water parboiling is an efficient process to obtain fortified rice that can significantly increase vitamin intake with limited environmental impacts.     

Influence of high temperature during filling period on grain phytic acid and its relation to spikelet sterility and grain weight in non-lethal low phytic acid mutations in rice

Low phytic acid (lpa) crop is considered as an effective strategy to improve crop nutrition. However, the inferior agronomic performance of lpa crops and their environmental growth adaptation have not yet been fully understood. Three rice lpa lines and their corresponding wild-types were used to compare their differences in grain phytic acid (PA) in response to high temperature (HT) and its relation to spikelet sterility and grain weight at a controlled temperature at the filling stage. Results showed that HT caused an increase in grain PA and inorganic phosphate contents, with more substantial increase of PA content for lpa lines compared with corresponding wild-types. This increase in PA content in high temperature-ripened grains was not simply attributed to the reduction in grain weight and relatively enhanced proportion of aleurone-layer fraction to whole grains. Significant increase in PA contents was also detected in milled rice. Moreover, spikelet sterility and grain plumpness of lpa lines were more susceptible to HT stress than those of wild-types. Exogenous PA spraying with an appropriate concentration could increase grain PA content, but it had only a slight contribution to the enhancement of heat-tolerance and injury alleviation for rice exposed to stressful HT.     

Systemic induced resistance to late blight in potato by treatment with salicylic acid andPhytophthora cryptogea

Summary Tests for systemic induced resistance (SIR) to late blight were performed with different potato cultivars in field trials and in growth chamber experiments. The non-pathogenPhytophthora cryptogea (Pc) and salicylic acid (Sa) were used as inducer agents. In the field, plants were naturally infected byPhytophthora infestans while the indoor plants were inoculated. The degree of SIR obtained varied with the cultivar used and also with the type of inducer. For example in the field the susceptible cv. St. Cecilia had enhanced resistance with Pc whereas Sa caused increased susceptibility. Inbred resistant cvs acquired increased resistance after treatment with Sa. In a separate pilot experiment in a growth chamber, Sa at two different concentrations was injected into potato seed tubers before planting. The higher Sa concentration increased resistance in genetically resistant cultivars while the lower Sa concentration brought about increased susceptibility.