Effect of superheated steam treatment on enzyme inactivation, morphostructural, physicochemical and digestion properties of sand rice (Agriophyllum squarrosum) flour.

The lipase (LA) and peroxidase (POD) activities, as well as morphological structure, physicochemical and digestion properties of sand rice flour (SRF) treated with superheated steam (SS), were investigated. SS treatment at 165 °C completely deactivated LA and resulted in a 98% deactivation of POD activities in SRF. This treatment also intensified gelatinization, induced noticeable color alterations, and decreased pasting viscosities. Furthermore, there was a moderate reduction in crystal structure, lamellar structure, and short-range ordered structure, with a pronounced reduction at temperatures exceeding 170 °C. These alterations significantly impacted SRF digestibility, leading to increased levels of rapidly digestible starch (RDS) and resistant starch (RS), with the highest RS content achieved at 165 °C. The effectiveness of SS treatment depends on temperature, with 165 °C being able to stabilize SRF with moderate changes in color and structure. These findings will provide a scientific foundation for SS applicated in SRF stabilization and modification.

Effect of endogenous protein and lipid removal on the physicochemical and digestion properties of sand rice (Agriophyllum squarrosum) flour.

The study investigated the effect of removing protein and/or lipid on the physicochemical characteristics and digestibility of sand rice flour (SRF). Morphological images showed that protein removal had a greater impact on exposing starch granules, while lipids acted as an adhesive. The treatment altered starch content in SRF samples, leading to increased starch crystallinity, denser semi-crystalline region, lower onset gelatinization temperature (To), higher peak viscosity and gelatinization enthalpy (ΔH), where Protein removal showed a more pronounced effect on altering physicochemical properties compared to lipid removal. The research revealed a positive correlation between rapidly digestible starch (RDS), maximum degree of starch hydrolysis (C∞), digestion rate constant (k) values and 1047/1022 cm-1 ratio, showing a strong connection between short-range structure and starch digestibility. The presence of endogenous proteins and lipids in SRF hinder digestion by restricting starch swelling and gelatinization, and physically obstructing enzyme-starch interaction. Lipids had a greater impact on starch digestibility than proteins, possibly due to their higher efficacy in reducing digestibility, higher lipid content with greater potential to form starch-lipid complexes. This study provides valuable insights into the interaction between starch and proteins/lipids in the sand rice seed matrix, enhancing its applicability in functional and nutritional food products.

Outcomes of structure, function and flavor of pea protein isolate treated by AC, DC and pulsed electric fields.

Based on the standpoint of low carbon footprint processing and less denaturation of plant protein ingredient, the effects of pulsed electric field (PEF), direct current electric field (DCEF), and alternating current electric field (ACEF) treatments on the structure, functional properties and volatile compounds of pea protein isolate were investigated. The results showed that the electric fields (EFs) caused both blueshifts (max. âˆ¼8 cm-1) and redshifts (max. âˆ¼7 cm-1) in the IR spectra and blueshifts (max. âˆ¼5 nm) in the UV spectra. PEF caused an increase of emulsifying activity index and a decrease of emulsion stability index to DCEF and ACEF. A total of 27 volatile compounds were identified and the EFs could cause emerging of new volatiles and disappearing of inherent volatiles potentially to modify the flavor of products. Alterations were significantly observed among the types of EF, but seldomly among the operating parameter levels in the same EF.

Relationship between starch fine structure and simulated oral processing of cooked japonica rice.

Background: Simulated oral processing can be used to evaluate the palatability of cooked rice. Previously, we established a simulated oral processing method using a texture analyzer equipped with a multiple extrusion cell probe (TA/MEC). However, the relationship between oral processing and starch fine structure remains unknown. Methods: In this study, we analyzed the oral processing properties using TA/MEC and characterized the starch fine structure of japonica rice by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) and fluorophore-assisted capillary electrophoresis (FACE). The relationship between starch fine structure and oral processing of cooked japonica rice was further investigated. Results: Cooked rice structure contains fast-breakdown (Type I structure), slow-breakdown (Type II structure) and unbreakable structures (Type III structure). Fast-breakdown and slow-breakdown structure were positively correlated with the content of amylose and shorter amylopectin branches. The content of longer amylopectin branches was positively correlated with the contribution of unbreakable structure. Conclusion: The results indicated that cooked japonica rice varieties with more amylose and shorter amylopectin branches tend to form a harder texture and need more work to break down the fast and slow breakdown structures related to rice kernel fragmentation. Meanwhile, cooked japonica rice varieties possess stronger molecular entanglements due to their longer amylopectin branches and contribute more to the breakdown of unbreakable structures. These results can guide breeders to select rice varieties with desirable eating qualities for cultivation.

Understanding the influence of pullulan on the quality changes, water mobility, structural properties and thermal properties of frozen cooked noodles.

Pullulan is widely applied in the food industry due to its unique physicochemical properties, but little information is known about its effects on the quality of frozen cooked noodles (FCNs), nor the underlying mechanism. In this study, the addition of 0.3% and 0.5% pullulan resulted in better texture and cooking properties, and minor chrominance differences, and it significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the freezable water content and retarded the water migration. Pullulan inhibited the depolymerization of the glutenin macropolymer during 0-8 weeks of frozen storage. Meanwhile, pullulan caused slightly decreased α-helixes and increased ß-turns, as well as decreased degradation temperature, further suggesting that pullulan influenced the gluten network. A more compact microstructure was shown in the pullulan-fortified FCNs. This study provides a theoretical basis for the positive effects of pullulan on the quality of FCNs from the perspectives of water state and protein structure.

Impact of frozen storage on whole wheat starch and its A-Type and B-Type granules isolated from frozen dough.

The physicochemical properties of whole wheat starch and its A-Type and B-Type granules isolated from frozen dough at 0, 4 and 8 weeks of storage were investigated. Results showed that profiles of A-Type granules were more or less constant while significant differences of B-Type granules involving in irregular edges, increased relative crystallinities and decreased Viscosities were observed after 8 weeks of storage, suggesting that B-Type granules were more sensitive to freezing. These were mainly attributed to the release of leaching materials from starches, resulting in the ratio of amylose to amylopectin, protein and lipid content decreased by 25.93%, 12.05% and 31.65%, respectively. Whole wheat starch remained essentially unchanged during freezing. It seemed that B-Type granules, as a small part of whole wheat starch, had less influence on whole wheat starch than A-type granules in spite of their significant deterioration upon storage.

Roles of dextran, weak acidification and their combination in the quality of wheat bread.

Dextran-containing sourdoughs have been widely employed in baking, obtaining products with higher quality instead of adding additives. This study investigated effects of dextran of a high weight-average molecular weight (Mw) and linear structure, sourdough and their combination on wheat bread quality. The underlying mechanism was explored from properties of pasting, amylopectin retrogradation and water distributions of starch systems. Bread characteristic analyses showed that both dextran and weak acidification due to addition of sourdough improved bread quality, especially crumb softness. Dextran decreased moisture migration due to high water-binding capacity. Enhancements of amylose aggregation by weak acidification contributed to retardation of amylopectin recrystallization. A synergy existed between dextran and weak acidification. Dough rheology demonstrated that weak acidification was fundamental for dextran-induced positive dough viscoelasticity. This study indicates a combined anti-firming performance of high Mw dextran and weak acidification, possibly being a promising strategy to prolong shelf life of wheat bread.

Effects of dextran with different molecular weights on the quality of wheat sourdough breads.

This research aimed at investigating the effects of different weight-average molecular weights (Mw: T10, T70, T250, T750, T2000) of dextran (α-(1 → 6)-linked linear backbone, α-(1 → 3)-linked branching) on wheat sourdough bread qualities. Texture analyzer showed that dextran contributed to a significant inhibition of bread staling, particularly dextran T2000. Pasting profiles (Rapid visco-analysis) and steady rheological properties (steady shear measurements) of samples indicated that dextran T2000 suppressed the swelling and gelatinization of wheat starch granules and bound a great amount of water, thus retarding the aging process. Dextran T2000 markedly improved the elastic properties of sourdough-containing dough. Wheat sourdough breads containing dextran T10 exhibited unexpected less firm crumb structure. The improvement of bread qualities was a function of the Mw of dextran. Dextran with high Mw values has the potential for improving the quality of wheat sourdough breads, especially extending shelf life.

Structural and physicochemical changes in guar gum by alcohol-acid treatment.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of alcohol-acid degradation on the structural and physicochemical characteristics of guar gum. Guar gum (50wt.%) was treated with methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol, or 1-butanol containing 1 or 2mL 36% hydrochloric acid at 75°C for 30-240min. The linear relationship between 1/Mw and time suggested that alcohol-acid degradation followed first-order kinetics with rate constants varying directly with the number of alcohol carbon atoms and acid concentration. Alcohol-acid treatment exerted no effect on the chemical and crystal structure of guar but significantly decreased shear viscosity, slightly increased solubility, mildly reduced thermostability, and dramatically darkened colour. This study extended the knowledge of the effect of alcohol on the acid hydrolysis of guar and will contribute to the development of a large-scale procedure for guar gum degradation.

Continuous-flow electro-assisted acid hydrolysis of granular potato starch via inductive methodology.

The induced electric field assisted hydrochloric acid (IEF-HCl) hydrolysis of potato starch was investigated in a fluidic system. The impact of various reaction parameters on the hydrolysis rate, including reactor number (1-4), salt type (KCl, MgCl2, FeCl3), salt concentration (3-12%), temperature (40-55°C), and hydrolysis time (0-60h), were comprehensively assessed. Under optimal conditions, the maximum reducing sugar content in the hydrolysates was 10.59g/L. X-ray diffraction suggested that the crystallinity of IEF-HCl-modified starches increased with the intensification of hydrolysis but was lower than that of native starch. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that the surface and interior regions of starch granules were disrupted by the hydrolysis. The solubility of IEF-HCl-modified starches increased compared to native starch while their swelling power decreased, contributing to a decline in paste viscosity. These results suggest that IEF is a notable potential electrotechnology to conventional hydrolysis under mild conditions without any electrode touching the subject.

Electrofluid hydrolysis enhances the production of fermentable sugars from corncob via in/reverse-phase induced voltage.

To improve the economic value of lignocellulosic biomasses, an innovative electrofluidic technology has been applied to the efficient hydrolysis of corncob. The system combines fluidic reactors and induced voltages via magnetoelectric coupling effect. The excitation voltage had a positive impact on reducing sugar content (RSC). But, the increase of voltage frequency at 400-700Hz caused a slight decline of the RSC. Higher temperature limits the electrical effect on the hydrolysis at 70-80°C. The energy efficiency increased under the addition of metallic ions and series of in-phase induced voltage to promote hydrolysis. In addition, the 4-series system with in-phase and reverse-phase induced voltages under the synchronous magnetic flux, exhibited a significant influence on the RSC with a maximum increase of 56%. High throughput could be achieved by increasing series in a compact system. Electrofluid hydrolysis avoids electrochemical reaction, electrode corrosion, and sample contamination.