Characterization of amylose and amylopectin fractions separated from potato, banana, corn, and cassava starches.

Analytical techniques such HPSEC, DSC, and TGA have been employed for amylose determination in starch samples, though spectrophotometry by iodine binding is most commonly used. The vast majority of these techniques require an analytical curve, using amylose and amylopectin standards with physicochemical properties similar to those found in the original starch. The current study aimed to obtain the amylose and amylopectin fractions from potato, banana, corn, and cassava starches, characterize them, and evaluate their behavior via thermogravimetric curves. Blue amylose iodine complex and HPSEC-DRI methods have obtained high purity amylose and amylopectin fractions. All molecular weights of the obtained amylose and amylopectin fractions were similar to those presented in other reports. Different results were obtained by deconvolution of the amylopectin polymodal distribution. All amyloses presented as semi-crystalline V-type polymorphs, while all amylopectin fractions were amorphous. The Tg of all Vamyloses presented were directly proportional to their respective crystalline index. TGA evaluations have shown that selective precipitation of amylose with 1-butanol strongly changes its thermal behavior. Therefore, the separation procedure used was an ineffective pathway for obtaining standards for thermal studies.

Innovative functional nanodispersion: Combination of carotenoid from Spirulina and yellow passion fruit albedo.

The nanoencapsulation of carotenoids is presented as a positive alternative to broaden the application of these pigments in the food industry. In this study, we investigated the use of yellow passion fruit albedo flour as an encapsulating material for the production of nanodispersions of carotenoid extract obtained from Spirulina sp. LEB 18. Nanodispersions were characterized for their physicochemical properties, antioxidant activity, stability, and retention of carotenoids after 60 days of storage (4 °C). The nanodispersions made from yellow passion fruit albedo flour and microalgae carotenoid extract presented an average particle diameter at the nanometer scale, high antioxidant activity, and carotenoid retention compared to nanodispersions containing synthetic ß-carotene. Yellow passion fruit albedo flour as a polymeric material in the production of carotenoid nanodispersions is an alternative to commercial polymers and allows greater stability and broader application of these pigments.

Validation of analytical method for rhynchophorol quantification and stability in inorganic matrix for the controlled release of this pheromone.

A fast method for the identification and stability evaluation of the aggregation pheromone rhynchophorol, which is the main substance used for chemical communication by the beetle Rhynchophorus palmarum L., was validated. In addition, the technique was applied to the evaluation of two inorganic matrices, with the objective of using them as controlled-release devices. The analytical method showed good linearity (R2 = 0.9978), precision (CV% < 1.79), recovery (84-105%) and limits of detection (0.2 mg mL-1) and quantification (0.3 mg mL-1); in compliance with the validation legislation established by ANVISA. In the interaction study, the inorganic matrices zeolite L and Na-magadiite showed high rates of pheromone recovery without promoting its degradation for a period of 180 days, which is not reported in the literature for other matrices. The structures of the zeolite L/rhynchophorol and Na-magadiite/rhynchophorol composites showed slower release kinetics during the storage period when compared with pure pheromone, which is desirable since it extends the period of rhynchophorol release and decreases the negative effects caused by the environmental parameters.