The bread baking quality of six wheat starches differing in composition and physical properties

Starch was isolated from six types of wheat and separated into large A-granule and small B-granule fractions which exhibited a suitable range of properties. Respective amylose contents were 28.6–31.0% and 25.1–31.5%, lysophospholipids 707–1014mg 100 g^?1, and 1058–1398 mg 100 g^?1, and gelatinisation temperatures (GT) by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) 58.4–62.7°C and 60.5–64.5°C. The A- and B-granule fractions were remixed in various proportions and reconstituted with freeze-dried gluten and freeze-dried water-solubles from flour to test the effects of changes in the properties of the total starch, A-granule or B-granule fractions, and the effects of various proportions of B-granules on the quality of bread. The specific volumes of the loaves were not affected by starch amylose or lipid content, but were significantly correlated with either the GT of the total starches or their A-granules. The optimum proportion of B-granules was 25–35% by weight, but their GT had no effect on loaf specific volume. Staling changes were quantified from crumb compressibility measurements and the enthalpy of the endotherm for gelatinisation of retrograded amylopectin in stored breadcrumb, measured by DSC. Initial and limiting moduli of crumb firmness were correlated with loaf specific volume and starch GT, but rate and time constants calculated from the Avrami equation were independent. Rate and time constants and limiting enthalpy values calculated from the DSC results were independent of all other measured parameters.     

Micronutrients (B,Co, Cu,Fe, Mn,Mo, and Zn) content in made tea (Camellia sinensis L.) and tea infusion with health prospect: A critical review

Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) is a perennial acidophilic crop, and known to be a nonalcoholic stimulating beverage that is most widely consumed after water. The aim of this review paper is to provide a detailed documentation of selected micronutrient contents, viz. boron (B), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), and zinc (Zn) in made tea and tea infusion. Available data from the literature were used to calculate human health aspect associated with the consumption of tea infusion. A wide range of micronutrients reported in both made tea and tea infusion could be the major sources of micronutrients for human. The content of B, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, and Zn in made tea are ranged from 3.04 to 58.44 μg g^?1, below detectable limit (BDL) to 122.4 μg g^?1, BDL to 602 μg g^?1, 0.275 to 13,040 μg g^?1, 0.004 to 15,866 μg g^?1, 0.04 to 570.80 μg g^?1 and 0.01 to 1120 μg g^?1, respectively. Only 3.2 μg L^?1 to 7.25 mg L^?1, 0.01 μg L^?1 to 7 mg L^?1, 3.80 μg L^?1 to 6.13 mg L^?1, 135.59 μg L^?1 ?11.05 mg L^?1, 0.05 μg L^?1 to 1980.34 mg L^?1, 0.012 to 3.78 μg L^?1, and 1.12 μg L^?1 to 2.32 μg L^?1 of B, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, and Zn, respectively, are found in tea infusion which are lower than the prescribed limit of micronutrients in drinking water by World Health Organization. Furthermore, micronutrient contents in tea infusion depend on infusion procedure as well as on the instrument used for analysis. The proportion of micronutrients found in different tea types are 1.0–88.9% for B, 10–60% for Co, 2.0–97.8% for Cu, 67.8–89.9% for Fe, 71.0–87.4% for Mn, 13.3–34% for Mo, and 34.9–83% for Zn. From the results, it can also be concluded that consumption of three cups of tea infusion per day does not have any adverse effect on human health with respect to the referred micronutrients rather got beneficial effects to human.     

Variability in starch physicochemical and functional properties of yam (Dioscorea sp) cultivated in Ivory Coast

An Erratum has been published for this article in Journal Of the Science of Food and Agriculture 85(5), 889 (2005). Native starches were extracted from 21 cultivars of four yam species representative of the yam population of Ivory Coast. They were first characterized for their proximate composition, starch physico‐chemical properties (amylose content, particle size distribution, crystallinity, thermal properties and intrinsic viscosity). Some functional properties (swelling, solubility and pasting behaviour and paste clarity) were then determined. Analysis of variance and principal component analysis showed that three homogenous groups could be distinguished, mainly based on starch physico‐chemical properties. The first group contained all yam starches of the D alata and the D cayenensis‐rotundata complex species. It was characterized by a large diameter grain (approximately 25 µm), a high amylose content (around 25% db), a high intrinsic viscosity (mean of 190 cm³ g^?1), and a high apparent viscosity and clarity of the paste. The second group contained the D esculenta varieties, characterized by a small granule size (diameter 6 µm), a low intrinsic viscosity (121 cm³ g^?1), a high gelatinization enthalpy change (19 J g^?1) and a low paste viscosity. The D dumetorum sample differed from the D esculenta group by having a pure A‐type crystalline form and an opaque paste. A multiple regression showed that the volume fraction of the dispersed phase and native granule size (or amylose content) could account for close to 80% of the variability of paste apparent viscosity. Gel clarity appeared mainly linked to granule size, small granules from D dumetorum and D esculenta giving the most opaque gels. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

In vitro availability of starch in heat‐treated potatoes as related to genotype,weight and storage time

The objective of the study was to determine the influence of potato variety, weight and storage time after lifting on the glycaemic index (GI) and resistant starch (RS) content predicted from measurement of the rate and extent of in vitro starch hydrolysis, respectively. The potatoes were either boiled, or boiled and subjected to different heat‐cycling conditions selected to promote retrogradation of amylose or amylopectin, respectively. The hydrolysis indices (HI) and predicted GIs of all 19 potato products were high and fell within narrow ranges of 122–144 and 118–138, respectively. No correlation between average weight of the potato tuber and HI was found. Furthermore, there was no difference in HI between potatoes stored for 1–3 or 8–10 months, nor between varieties of new potato and winter potato. However, the HI was significantly lowered by temperature cycling at conditions known to promote retrogradation of amylopectin (6 °C, 48 h) compared with 6 °C for 24 h followed by 70 °C for 24 h. RS content was already substantial in boiled potatoes, 4.5 g 100 g^?1 (starch basis), and could be increased further by temperature cycling, the highest yield obtained, 9.8 g 100 g^?1 (starch basis), following heat treatment at 6 °C for 24 h followed by 70 °C for 24 h; that is at conditions known to favour amylose retrogradation. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Physicochemical characterisation and oxidative stability of refined hoki oil,unrefined hoki oil and unrefined tuna oil

Physicochemical characterisation and oxidative stability of refined hoki oil, unrefined hoki oil and unrefined tuna oil were carried out in the present study. Tuna oil contains a higher percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids (42.57%) than the hoki oils (28.79–30.13%), which have higher percentages of monounsaturated fatty acids (45.02–47.16%). All oils showed a good ratio of n‐3 to n‐6 fatty acid (7.01–8.10). Cholesterol contents in the unrefined hoki (5149.40 μg g^?1) and tuna (2045.48 μg g^?1) oils were higher than the refined hoki oil (1411.27 μg g^?1). Tuna has a higher concentration of natural α‐tocopherol (752.49 μg g^?1) but lower concentration of vitamin A (110.99 μg g^?1) than unrefined hoki oil (151.44 μg g^?1 and 997.60 μg g^?1, respectively). Higher percentages of unsaponifiable matter were found in the hoki oils (4.90–7.24%) compared with the tuna oil (0.56%). The hoki oils appear more yellow than the tuna oil, which is darker by comparison. Moisture, p‐anisidine value and free fatty acid contents in the hoki oils were lower than the tuna oil. Other indicators of oxidative stability showed that the hoki oils were more stable than the tuna oil.     

Validation of analytical method for α‐dicarbonyl compounds using gas chromatography–nitrogen phosphorous detector and their levels in alcoholic beverages

This study aimed to establish an analytical method for α‐dicarbonyl compounds (α‐DCs) including glyoxal, methylglyoxal and diacetyl, to determine the content of α‐DCs in 101 various alcoholic beverages using gas chromatography–nitrogen phosphorous detector (GC‐NPD) and to perform exposure assessment. The limit of detection and limit of quantification for α‐DCs were 0.05–0.22 and 0.15–0.70 μg g^?1, respectively. The accuracy and precision were validated in five matrices. The raspberry fruit wine had the highest value at 139.74 μg g^?1 total α‐DCs. The lowest α‐DC concentration among the beverages was detected in rice wine (Makgeolli) at 1.59 μg g^?1. The levels of α‐DCs in various samples were detected as follows: 1.59–56.68 μg g^?1 in rice wine (Makgeolli), 2.73–16.77 μg g^?1 in beer, 8.22–139.74 μg g^?1 in fruit wine and 8.17–91.56 μg g^?1 in rice wine (Cheongju). The estimated daily intake of α‐DCs in the intake‐only group and population group was calculated as 4.22–97.94 μg kg^?1 bw day^?1 and 0.28–7.13 μg kg^?1 bw day^?1, respectively.     

Ultrasound‐induced changes in physical and functional properties of whey proteins

Use of high‐intensity ultrasound to modify certain functional properties of whey proteins is an alternative to traditional method in food industry. Whey protein isolate (WPI) solutions were treated with an ultrasound probe (20 kHz) at different intensities (20% or 30% amplitude) and durations (10 or 20 min). Results showed that ultrasound treatment changed physical and several functional properties of whey proteins including decreased particle size (from 190.4 nm to 138.0 nm), increased surface hydrophobicity (from 5.13 × 10⁵ to 5.77 × 10⁵), free sulphydryl groups (from 52.64 μmol SH g^?1 to 53.64–58.77 μmol SH g^?1), solubility (from 74.95% to 89.70%), emulsion activity index (from 3.18 m² g^?1 to 3.59–5.32 m² g^?1) and emulsion stability index (from 62.26 min to 71.44–104.83 min), and changed viscosity (from 5.51 mPa.s to 4.81–5.64 mPa.s). Therefore, we conclude that high‐intensity ultrasound can be potentially applied to whey proteins to improve its specific functions during food processing.     

Composition of the seeds of some Amaranthus species

The seeds of the five commonly consumed Amaranthus species have been analysed for their chemical composition and starch characteristics. A notably high fat, protein and ash content in the seeds of a sample of A. teunifolious as compared with other species has been demonstrated. All the samples analysed had a high oxalate and phytic acid content. The size of the starch granules from all the samples was in the range 08.2.3μm and the circular shape of granules from all the species was strikingly similar. Amaranthus polygamous and A. gracilis had low amylose starches (111.7 and 97.1 g kg^?1, respectively), and A. spinosus and A. teunifolious had appreciable proportions of amylose (166.7 and 245.0 g kg^?1, respectively).     

Food properties of egg white protein modified by rare ketohexoses through Maillard reaction

d ‐psicose (Psi), a rare ketohexose, improves food properties of proteins through the Maillard reaction (MR) much more than d ‐fructose (Fru). This encouraged us to investigate the improvement of food properties of proteins through MR with various rare ketohexoses (d ‐psicose, Psi; d ‐tagatose, Tag; and d ‐sorbose, Sor). The food properties of egg white protein (EWP) after reaction with Psi, Tag, Sor and Fru were studied. Psi‐EWP (43.3 μmol TE g^?1) and Tag‐EWP (43.4 μmol TE g^?1) had the highest antioxidant activity, followed by Sor‐EWP (38.4 μmol TE g^?1) and Fru‐EWP (38.9 μmol TE g^?1). MR enhanced the breaking stress of heat‐induced EWP gels by 224–267%. The breaking stress was higher in Psi‐EWP (81.1 kN m^?2), Tag‐EWP (80.0 kN m^?2) and Sor‐EWP (77.8 kN m^?2) than in Fru‐EWP (71.6 kN m^?2). Furthermore, the foaming capacity was highest in Psi‐EWP and Sor‐EWP. Rare ketohexoses improved food properties of EWP more than Fru. Overall, Psi offered the greatest functional improvement.     

Popping of amaranth grain (Amaranthus caudatus) and its effect on the functional,nutritional and sensory properties

The popping of amarunth grain (Amaranthus caudatus var INIAP‐Alegría) by hot air processing was studied. A household corn popper adapted to control heating and airflow was used. The effects of temperature, load, airflow and moisture on the popping capacity and on the functional properties, nutritional quality, crude protein content, lysine content and sensory texture of the poppei grain were investigate. The yield, expansion volume and density of popped grain showed that the optimal conditions for the popping process were 240 °C, 22 g load, 0.013 m³ s^?1 airflow and 12% grain moisture. The proportion of popped grain with butterfly shape was highest (p < 0.05) at 220 °C, 22 g load, 0.014 m³ s^?1 airflow and 14% grain moisture. The functional and physic‐chemical properties of popped grain obtained by various treatments showed completely gelatinised starch. The total, available and resistant starch contents were similar among the different treatments. The enzymatic degradation of starch was 65% within 5–15 min of incubation with α‐amylase. The crude protein content was almost 15% for all the treatments, while the total lysine content was 45.2–48.0 mg g^?1 protein. The in vitro availability of protein of popped grain obtained at 0.013 m³ s^?1 airflow and 14% grain moisture was above 84%. The highest available lysine value was found for popped grain obtained at 0.014 m³ s^?1 airflow, 18–22 g load and 12–14% grain moisture. However, six of the eight treatments had available lysine contents that varied between 41.2 and 47.4 mg g^?1 protein. Sensory analyses showed that the treatments with the highest popping capacity produced grains with high crunch and expansion capacities. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of oligosaccharides on phase transition temperatures and rheological characteristics of waxy rice starch dispersion

BACKGROUND: The creation of starch‐based foods incorporated with functional ingredients such as probiotics is of great current interest in the food industry. This study aimed to investigate the effects of prebiotic oligosaccharides on the phase transition temperatures and rheological characteristics of waxy rice starch dispersions. Four oligosaccharides were applied to the rice starch dispersions: chitooligosaccharides, fructooligosaccharides, isomaltooligosaccharides and xylooligosaccharides. RESULTS: The addition of 125 g kg^?1 oligosaccharides elevated the onset and peak temperatures for gelatinisation of 200–400 g kg^?1 waxy rice starch dispersions. The temperature of the storage modulus (G′) for gelatinisation increased markedly on adding fructooligosaccharides to 200–300 g kg^?1 waxy rice starch. For gelatinisation of 300 g kg^?1 rice starch dispersion the effectiveness of the oligosaccharides in changing the above parameters was as follows: chitooligosaccharides > fructooligosaccharides > isomaltooligosaccharides > xylooligosaccharides. Moreover, their effectiveness was dependent on the amylose content, as illustrated by comparing waxy and non‐waxy rice starches (amylose contents 9–256 g kg^?1). Importantly, the logarithmic G′₉₅ change was linearly and negatively correlated with amylose content. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that oligosaccharide‐containing rice starch dispersions may potentially be used for the formulation of oligosaccharide‐containing starchy functional foods owing to the rheological changes of these starch dispersions. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis and in vitro digestion of resistant starch type III from enzymatically hydrolysed cassava starch

Resistant starch type III (RS III) was synthesised from cassava starch by autoclaving followed by debranching with pullulanase, at varied concentrations (0.4–12 U g^?1) and times (2–8 h), and recrystallisation (?18 to 90 °C for 1–16 h). The highest RS III yield (22 g/100 g) was obtained at an enzyme concentration of 4 U g^?1 after 8 h incubation, followed by recrystallisation at 25 °C for 16 h. Varying the recrystallisation conditions indicated that higher RS III yields (30–35 g/100 g) could be obtained at 90 °C within 2 h. Thinning cassava starch using α‐amylase prior to debranching using pullulanase did not further increase the RS III content. In vitro digestion data showed that whereas 44% RS III was digested after 6 h, the corresponding value for cassava starch was 89%.     

Functional and structural properties and in vitro digestibility of acylated hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) protein isolates

The effects of succinylation and acetylation on some functional, structural properties and in vitro trypsin digestibility of hemp protein isolate (HPI) were investigated. The extent of acylation gradually increased from 0 to 60–70%, with the anhydride‐to‐protein ratio increasing from 0 to 1.0 g g^?1. Size exclusion chromatography showed that succinylation led to formation of more soluble protein aggregate than acetylation, especially at anhydride levels higher than 0.1 g g^?1. Succinylation led to gradual increase in protein solubility (PS) from 30 to 85–90%, while in the acetylation case, the PS was improved only at low anhydride levels, increasing from 30 to about 50% with anhydride‐to‐protein ratio increasing from 0 to 0.2 g g^?1. At neutral pH, the emulsifying activity indexes (EAI) of HPI was 22.1 m² g^?1, and the EAI linearly and significantly increased with the extent of acylation. The EAIs of succinylated and acetylated HPI (1.0 g g^?1) were 119.0 and 54.4 m² g^?1, respectively. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and intrinsic fluorescence spectrum analyses indicated gradual structural unfolding of proteins, or exposure of hydrophobic clusters to the solvent, especially at higher anhydride levels. Additionally, the in vitro trypsin digestibility was significantly improved by the succinylation. The results indicated that the chemical acylation treatment (especially succinylation) could be applied to modify some selected functional properties of hemp proteins, especially PS and emulsifying ability.     

Ochratoxin A in red pepper flakes commercialised in Turkey

The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of Ochratoxin A (OTA) in red pepper flakes commercialised in Turkey. A total of 75 samples were collected from different supermarkets and traditional bazaars in Istanbul during 2012–2013. OTA analysis was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with fluorescence detection after immunoaffinity column clean-up. The method was linear in the range 0.05–40 μg kg^?1 (r² = 0.9997). Twenty-seven out of 31 (87.1%) packed red pepper flake samples contained OTA at concentrations ranging from 0.6 to 1.0 μg kg^?1, whereas 100% of the unpacked red pepper flake samples contained OTA, in the range 1.1–31.7 μg kg^?1. Overall, only 4 unpacked samples (5.3%) contained OTA, with a mean value of 23.4 μg kg^?1, which is higher than the European Union limit. It is suggested that OTA content should be carefully considered in red pepper flake samples especially marketed in unpacked form.     

Evaluation of short chain chlorinated paraffins in human milk and their intake by infants in Hebei Province,China

ABSTRACT

Short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) have drawn increasing interest worldwide since they were included in the list of controlled persistent organic pollutants in Annex A of the Stockholm Convention in 2017, and the potential health risk they pose to humans must be evaluated. In this study, 86 human milk samples were collected from 55 healthy Chinese mothers living in the Shijiazhuang region of Northern China in 2014–2015. Advanced online gel permeation chromatography–gas-chromatography-coupled mass spectrometry with negative-ion chemical ionisation was used to quantify the SCCPs in the samples. The estimated mean level of SCCPs was 2.51 μg g^?1 lipid weight (range 0.21–16.12). The SCCP concentration correlated positively with the mother’s bodyweight at the end of pregnancy (P < 0.05). The mean SCCP intake by infants via breast milk was 13.0 μg kg^?1 day^?1 at 1 month, 7.1 μg kg^?1 day^?1 at 3 months, and 2.5 μg kg^?1 day^?1 at 6 months after birth. This study provides initial data on the levels of SCCPs in human milk in a chlorinated-paraffin-manufacturing area in China, and indicates a high health risk for infants.     

Effects of molecular characteristics of on konjac glucomannan glass transitions of potato amylose, amylopection and their mixtures

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to explore further the functions of konjac glucomannan (KGM) in starch‐based foods. Experiments were carried out using the mixed amylose/amylopectin/KGM system as a model. High‐speed differential scanning calorimetry (hyper‐DSC) with the support of high‐performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) equipped with multi‐angle laser light scattering (MALLS) and differential refractive index (RI), X‐ray diffractometry (XRD) and viscosimetry was used to investigate the effects of KGM on glass transition temperatures (T_gs) of mixtures with different amylose/amylopectin ratios. RESULTS: Hyper‐DSC results showed that the T_gs of amylose, amylopection and their mixtures decreased with increasing concentration of KGM. Based on the molecular characteristics of KGM, HPSEC‐MALLS‐RI, viscosimetry and XRD results showed that the molar masses of KGM ranged from 1.023 × 10⁶ to 1.329 × 10⁶ g mol^?1; the root mean square (RMS) radii were distributed from 110.5 to 129.6 nm, and M_w/M_n was 1.017. KGM was a linear molecule with random‐coil conformation in solution and the crystallinity was 0.00%. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that the addition of KGM has plasticizing effects on the structures of amylose and amylopectin, which can increase free volume and molecular movement of amylose and amylopectin chains, resulting in a decrease in their T_gs. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Nutritional composition and sensory attributes of Alaskan flatfishes compared to plaice (Pleuronectes platessa)

Proximate composition, fatty acids profiles and other nutritional values were evaluated for fillets of Limanda aspera (yellowfin sole), Lepidopsetta bilineata (southern rock sole) and Lepidopsetta polyxystra (northern rock sole) and compared to North Sea plaice (Pleuronectes platessa). Additional information is given on the composition of fillets from arrowtooth flounder (Atheresthes stomias). Plaice (0.8% lipid) and Alaska soles (1.0–1.2% lipid) can be classified as lean species, resulting in low 0.3–0.5 g ∑EPA+DHA/100 g muscle, although the fatty acid profiles of the extracted lipids were characterised by high amount of n‐3 fatty acids (33.2–47.3%). Arrowtooth flounder belong to the medium‐fat species (4.3%). Taurine was the most prevalent free amino acid; mean values ranging between 221 mg100 g^?1 and 247 mg100 g^?1 wet weight. The selenium content varied between 130 and 310 μg kg^?1 ww. Sensory attributes of Southern and Northern rock sole were comparable to plaice.     

Mycoflora and natural occurrence of aflatoxin,cyclopiazonic acid,fumonisin and ochratoxin A in dried figs

Mycoflora, the mycotoxigenic properties of moulds, and natural contamination with mycotoxins such as aflatoxins (AFs), cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), fumonisin B₁ (FB₁) and ochratoxin A (OTA) were investigated in dried figs. Dry fig samples were collected from orchards during the drying stage in the Aegean Region of Turkey. Fungal isolates were identified using morphological, chemical as well as molecular methods. Mycotoxigenic characteristics of moulds were assessed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Mycotoxins except CPA (by TLC) were determined by HPLC. All the fig samples were contaminated with moulds and 94.7% contained one or more mycotoxigenic species. The most prevalent moulds present in dried figs belong to the Aspergillus section Nigri members, being 93.9% positive for the samples, followed by Fusarium spp., Aspergillus section Flavi and Penicillium spp. On the other hand, Fusarium spp. had the highest count and the number of fumonisin producing Fusarium was also high. A total of 48% of 115 dried fig samples contained OTA (range?=?0.1–15.3?ng?g^?1), 74.7% of the samples had FB₁ (range?=?0.05–3.65?mg?kg^?1), 10.0% of the samples had aflatoxin (range?=?0.1–763.2?ng?g^?1) and 24.3% of the samples were tentatively identified as being contaminated with CPA (range?=?25–187?ng?g^?1). Dried fig samples were contaminated with one (33.0%), two (47.0%), three (5.2%) and four mycotoxins (3.5%). A total of 11.3% of dried fig samples were not contaminated with any of the four mycotoxins. To the best of our knowledge, CPA and fumonisin have been found for the first time in dried figs.     

Metal levels in Trachurus trachurus and Cyprinus carpio in Turkey

Concentrations of five toxic metals were determined in two fish species from Turkish cities during 2010–2011. The obtained lead concentrations for all of the studied Trachurus trachurus (mean 777 μg kg^?1) and Cyprinus carpio (mean 439 μg kg^?1) samples were found to be higher than the maximum level (ML) of 300 μg kg^?1, while Cd concentrations in the same samples were lower than the ML. Mean chromium (501 μg kg^?1), Ni (272 μg kg^?1) and Cu (785 μg kg^?1) concentrations in T. trachurus were significantly higher than in C. carpio (336 μg Cr kg^?1, 229 μg Ni kg^?1 and 394 μg Cu kg^?1), similar to those of Pb and Cd. Measured Pb concentrations in T. trachurus tissues are significantly higher than the ML, while those of Cd in both T. trachurus and C. carpio species were lower than the ML values.     

Effect of phosphoric acid treatment on physicochemical,functional, and structural properties of starch extracted from yam (Dioscorea rotundata)

This work was designed to elucidate selected physicochemical, functional, and structural properties of native and modified yam (Dioscorea rotundata) starch. The isolated starch was chemically modified using 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25% phosphoric acid solution at 50°C for 1 h, and yield, swelling power, gelation, water holding capacity, paste clarity, blue value, and amylose and amylopectin content of the native and modified yam starch were determined. Structural changes in the native and starch modified with 25% phosphoric acid were evaluated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and optical microscopy. The result showed that the yield, swelling power, water holding capacity, paste clarity, blue value and amylose and amylopectin content of native yam starch was 33.38% (217 g), 3.84 g/g, 1.0 v/g, 10%, 0.52 and 25.96, respectively, whereas gelation study of the native and modified starch indicated that native starch was viscous and modified starch firm. However, yield, swelling power, water holding capacity, paste clarity, blue value, and amylose content of modified yam starch reduced in a dose dependent manner with phosphoric acid. The reduction in the values of the various functional properties could be associated with the effect of phosphoric acid on the starch granular structure. The result of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and optical microscopy revealed that the yam starch was modified by phosphoric acid with changes in functional groups spectra such as –OH stretch (3177 cm^?1), H₂O absorbed (1644 cm^?1) (amorphous region), C-H stretch (2923 cm^?1), CH₂O (1253 cm^?1), and C-O-C (1078 cm^?1) when compared to native starch. The morphology of native and modified yam starch granules ranged from oval to eliptical. However, modified starch granules were rough in surface. In conclusion, the characterized physicochemical and functional properties and structure exhibited by native and modified yam starch indicated that, yam could be a cheap and valuable source of starch for industrial application.