Physicochemical and Functional Characterization of Baby Lima Bean (Phaseolus lunatus) Starch

One potential source of starch is the tropical legume baby lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus) that contains around 56—60% of starch. The objectives of this work were to evaluate this starch's physicochemical and functional properties and compare it with the properties of other starches. The chemical composition of lima bean starch was: 10.16% moisture, 0.20% protein, 0.67% fiber, 0.14% ash, 0.54% fat, 98.43% starch and 0.013% phosphorus. The amylose content was higher (32.7%) than that of other cereal and tuber starches but similar to other legume starches. The average granule size (diameter 17.9 μm) was comparable to that of corn starch and of other legume starches. The granule was heterogeneous, presenting an oval shape. The gelatinization temperature was 80.16 °C (range 75—87 °CC), which is similar to other legume starches but higher than that of corn starch. The molecular size (alkali number 3.22), was smaller than that of potato starch but similar to that of corn starch. Compared to corn starch, the gels were firmer and presented a higher degree of retrogradation even at high concentrations. The water solubility was positively correlated with the temperature: i.e., 1.8, 3.4, 8.5 and 12.3% at 60, 70, 80 and 90 °C, respectively. The swelling power had the same behaviour: 2.6, 3.3,12.8 and 19.9 g of water/per gram of starch at 60, 70, 80 and 90 °C, respectively. The amylogram showed that the viscosity (680 Brabender units) and stability were higher than those of commercial corn starch (252 Brabender units). The use of this starch in the preparation of syrups with high glucose contents, as well as in baked and canned products that require heating, is suggested.     

Isolation of Velvet Bean (Mucuna pruriens) Starch: Physicochemical and Functional Properties

The velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) is an excellent potential starch source as it contains approximately 52 % of this carbohydrate. The physicochemical and functional properties of velvet bean starch were evaluated and compared to those of other starches. The chemical composition was: moisture 10.78 %; solid matter: protein 0.71 %; fiber 0.54 %; ash 0.28 %; fat 0.40 %; starch 98.1 %; and phosphorus 0.015 %. Amylose content was higher (39.21 %) than in tuber and cereal starches but similar to other legume starches. Average granule size was 23.6 μm, granules having an oval shape. Paste properties were: gelatinization temperature, 74.82 °C; gelatinization temperature range, 70—80 °C; and alkali number, 3.22. Gels produced with velvet bean starch were firmer than those produced with corn starch, and had a higher degree of retrogradation, even at high concentrations. At 90 °C, solubility was 16.2 % and swelling power was 16.17 g of water/g of starch. Given these properties, velvet bean starch has potential applications in food products requiring high temperature processing, such as jams, jellies and canned products.     

Amylose content,molecular structure,physicochemical properties and in vitro digestibility of starches from different mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) cultivars

Physicochemical and in vitro digestibility characteristics of starches isolated from six cultivars of mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) were studied. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed between the cultivars with respect to amylose content (29.9–33.6%), relative crystallinity (29.0 to 31.7%), particle diameter (16.2–17.1 µm) and molecular weight of amylopectin (260–289 × 10⁶ g/mol). The scanning electron micrographs revealed the presence of large oval to small round shape granules with average particle diameter of 16.2–17.1 µm. The X‐ray diffraction pattern was of the C‐type. The enthalpies of gelatinization and retrogradation were 8.9–10.3 and 4.6–6.3 J/g, respectively. The amounts of slowly digesting and resistant starch of mung bean followed the order: PBM‐1 > SML‐32 > ML‐613 > SML‐134 > ML‐267 > ML‐5 and ML‐5 > ML‐267 > SML‐134 > ML‐613 > SML‐32 > PBM‐1, respectively. The six starches exhibited significant (p < 0.05) differences in their pasting parameters. Correlation analysis showed that amylose content, granule diameter and relative crystallinity values were important in determining thermal, pasting and in vitro digestibility of starches.     

Structural characteristics and in vitro digestibility of Mango kernel starches (Mangifera indica L.)

Structural characteristics and digestibility of starches isolated from the kernels of two mango cultivars (Chausa and Kuppi) were studied and compared with those of a commercial normal corn starch. Mango kernel starches showed an A-type X-ray diffraction pattern, with relative crystallinities of 35.4% and 38.3%, respectively for Kuppi and Chausa cultivars. The structural characterisation obtained, using high performance size exclusion column chromatography connected to multi-angle laser light scattering and refractive index detectors (HPSEC-MALLS-RI), revealed that the mango kernel starches had lower molecular weight (M_w) and radius of gyration (R_g) of amylopectin and amylose compared to those of corn starch. The M_w of amylopectin for Chausa and Kuppi starches were 179 × 10⁶ and 140 × 10⁶ g/mol, respectively. The amounts of readily digestible starch (RDS) and slowly digestible starch (SDS) were lower for mango kernel starch than those of corn starch. Resistant starch (RS) contents in the mango kernel starches (75.6% and 80.0%, respectively) were substantially higher than those of corn starch (27.3%). The glycemic index (GI) values for mango kernel starches were 48.8 and 50.9 (for Chausa and Kuppi, respectively), whereas that of corn starch was 74.8, indicating that the mango kernel starch granules were highly resistant to digestion with significant contents of RS.     

Physicochemical properties and in vitro digestibility of resistant starch from mung bean (Phaseolus radiatus) starch

RS from mung bean starch was prepared by autoclaving, pullulanase debranching, and retrogradation. Physicochemical properties, crystalline structure, and in vitro digestibility of selected RS samples with different RS content were investigated. Compared to native starch, AAM content of RS increased but MW decreased greatly. SEM clearly showed RS samples exhibited irregular shaped fragments with compact structure. XRD pattern indicated that RS samples had typical B‐type pattern with sharp peaks at 17.0°, 22.2°, and 23.9° 2θ. The relative crystallinity, gelatinization temperatures, and enthalpy increased with increasing RS content. The α‐amylase digestibility of RS was lower than that of native starch. The results suggested that the decrease in enzymatic digestion of RS might due to compact and ordered crystalline structures after debranching and recrystallization.     

Effect of acetylation,oxidation and annealing on physicochemical properties of bean starch

Black and Pinto bean starches were physically and chemically modified to investigate the effect of modification on digestibility and physicochemical properties of bean starch. The impact of acetylation, oxidation (ozonation) and annealing on the chemical composition, syneresis, swelling volume, pasting, thermal properties and digestibility of starches was evaluated. The physicochemical and estimated glycemic index (eGI) of the Black and Pinto bean starches treated with ozone were not significantly (P > 0.05) different than that of their respective control starches. Annealed starches had improved thermal and pasting properties compared to native starches. Acetylated starches presented reduced syneresis, good pasting properties and lower eGI. Also, all modified starches had increased levels of resistant starch (RS). Therefore, the digestibility and physicochemical properties of bean starch were affected by the type of modification but there were no significant (P > 0.05) differences between the Black and Pinto bean starches.     

Starch enzymatic hydrolysis,structural, thermal and rheological properties of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) and dolichos bean (Dolichos lab-lab) legume starches

Cajanus Cajans and Dolichos lab-lab legume starches from Argentine cultivars were investigated under a technological and nutritional point of view. Their physico-chemical, structural, thermal and the rheological properties of their gels were evaluated. Rice (RS) and potato (PS) starches were included as references. In vitro digestibility from Englyst method was also evaluated. Legume starches had the highest amylose content and the most stable chemical structure. Their rapidly digestible starch and starch digestibility rate index were very low, similar to PS, and fivefold lower than RS. They had a much higher slowly digestible starch content than PS. Legume starches showed the highest gel stability versus heating and stirring and an intermedium pasting temperature between RS and PS. They formed viscoelastic gels at 6% concentration with stronger elastic-like behaviour and higher yield stress than references. Our results indicate these legumes represent an efficient starch source to provide tailor-made properties to food/industrial applications.     

Effect of extrusion on nutritional quality of maize and Lima bean flour blends

Maize flour (Zea mays) (M), Lima bean flour (Phaseolus lunatus) (B) and blends of these in proportions of 75M/25B, 50M/50B and 25M/75B (w/w) were extruded and their nutritional quality evaluated. Extrusion was done with a single screw extruder at 160 °C, 100 rpm and 15.5% moisture. In vitro protein digestibility (87%) was higher in the extruded products. Available lysine and resistant starch were highest in 50M/50B raw flour (59.5 g kg⁻¹ protein, 67.9 g kg⁻¹, respectively) but decreased after extrusion (45.5 g kg⁻¹ protein, 16.6 g kg⁻¹, respectively). The same treatment had the lowest available starch (561.6 g kg⁻¹ flour, 507.9 g kg⁻¹ extrudate). Total dietary fiber in the 50M/50B raw flour blend was 144 g kg⁻¹ versus 176 g kg⁻¹ in its extrudate. This was most noticeable for soluble dietary fiber, which increased from 10.6 g kg⁻¹ to 79.4 g kg⁻¹ after processing. Extrusion of blends is feasible up to a 50% bean inclusion level, which improves the nutritional value of the expanded product.Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Physicochemical properties,resistant starch content and enzymatic digestibility of unripe banana,edible canna,taro flours and their rice noodle products

Unripe banana, edible canna and taro flours, which have been reported to contain significant amounts of fibre, were investigated for their physicochemical properties, resistant starch (RS) content and in vitro starch digestibility, and compared with commercial high‐fibre‐modified starches from corn and tapioca. Differential scanning calorimetry showed a single endothermic peak located around 70–83 °C for the samples except the modified starches, which exhibited no transition enthalpy. The samples showed different pasting behaviours in the Rapid Visco‐Analyser (RVA) ranging from full to restricted swelling. The RS content varied from 1–26 g per 100 g dry sample, and the estimated glycaemic indices (GIs) of the samples were from 67% to 99%. Generally, samples with high RS were low in GI values. The starches produced acceptable rice noodles but with reduced rate of starch digestion and GI. The effects of the unripe banana, edible canna and taro flours on starch digestibility were either comparable or better than the commercial modified starches. These flours can substitute commercial modified starches to lower GIs of noodles and identical foods.     

Effect of various processing techniques on digestibility of starch in Red kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and two varieties of peas (Pisum sativum)

The effect of common domestic processing methods, such as splitting, soaking, boiling and pressure-cooking on the nutritionally significant starch fractions such as rapidly and slowly digestible starches (RDS and SDS), resistant starch (RS) and total starch (TS) in two legumes, Red kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and Yellow and Green peas (Pisum sativum) were studied. The legumes had comparatively high amount (>30%, dry basis) of RS. Soaking of all legumes resulted in reduced starch fractions, possibly due to leaching of soluble fractions. Ordinary cooking of soaked as well as unsoaked seeds led to a significant (P < 0.01) decrease in RS and increase in RDS, SDS and TS. Pressure-cooking led to even greater reduction in RS and a greater increase in RDS. Cooking of legumes gelatinizes the starch and opens up the starch structure which makes them vulnerable to α-amylase hydrolysis. Splitting of legumes markedly affects the digestibility as well as RS content of raw as well as processed legumes indicating that the seed coat plays a key role in the digestibility of starches in these seeds. Overall, the enzyme resistant starch fraction of legumes was rendered more digestible by all the domestic cooking methods used.     

Functional properties and retrogradation behaviour of native and chemically modified starch of mucuna bean (Mucuna pruriens)

Mucuna bean (Mucuna pruriens) starch was isolated and subjected to chemical modification by oxidation and acetylation. The proximate analysis of the non‐starch components of the native starch on a dry weight basis was 92 g kg^?1 moisture, 5 g kg^?1 ash, 2 g kg^?1 fat, 7 g kg^?1 crude fibre and 19 g kg^?1 protein. Chemical modification reduced the values for all the non‐starch components except the moisture level. For all the samples, swelling power and solubility increased as the temperature increased in the range 50–90 °C. The swelling power of mucuna native starch (MNS) and mucuna acetylated starch (MAS) increased with increasing acidity and alkalinity, while that of mucuna oxidised starch (MOS) only increased with increasing pH in the acidic range. The maximal solubility of all the starches was observed at pH 12. All the starch samples absorbed more oil than water. The lowest gelation concentration followed the trend MAS < MNS < MOS. Chemical modification reduced the gelatinisation temperature (Tp), while peak viscosity (Pv), hot paste viscosity (Hv) and cold paste viscosity (Cv) decreased after oxidation but increased following acetylation. The setback tendency of the native starch was reduced significantly after chemical modification. However, the breakdown value of MNS, 65 BU (Brabender units), was lower than that of MOS (78 BU) but higher than that of MAS (40 BU). Differential scanning calorimetry studies of gelatinisation and retrogradation revealed that chemical modification reduced the onset temperature (T_o), peak temperature (T_p) and conclusion temperature (T_c). Oxidation and acetylation reduced the gelatinisation and retrogradation enthalpies of the native starch. The enthalpy of retrogradation of the starches increased as the length of storage increased. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Digestibility and Pasting Properties of Rice Starch Heat‐Moisture Treated at the Melting Temperature (Tm )

Non‐waxy and waxy rice starches adjusted to 20% moisture (wet based, w.b.) were heated in a differential scanning calorimeter to determine the optimum parameters for producing slowly digestible starch (SDS). Starches heated to the temperature of melting (T_m) and held for 60 min in the calorimeter showed a slow digestibility compared to unheated samples. Digestibility decreased by 25 and 10%, respectively, for non‐waxy and waxy rice starches relative to non‐treated starches. Heat‐moisture treatment of waxy corn, non‐waxy corn and wheat starches at the T_m determined for non‐waxy rice starch did not result in significant decreases in digestibility. For waxy rice starches heat‐treated in microwave or conventional ovens at the T_m , there were slight but significant increases in digestibility of the treated starches compared to non‐treated starches at all incubation times. Digestibility was higher for starches heated for 30 min than for 60 min. Non‐waxy rice starches did not show any significant changes in digestibility. Heat‐moisture treatment at the T_m and the holding time of sample at that temperature in a differential scanning calorimeter were found to be significant to the formation of slowly digestible heat‐moisture treated starch.     

Production and characterization of digestion‐resistant starch by the reaction of Neisseria polysaccharea amylosucrase

Recombinant amylosucrase (200 U/mL) from Neisseria polysaccharea was used to produce digestion‐resistant starch (RS) using 1–3% (w/v) corn starches and 0.1–0.5 M sucrose incubated at 35°C for 24 h. Characterization of the obtained enzyme‐modified starches was investigated. Results show that the yields of the enzyme‐modified starches were inversely proportional to the original amylose contents of corn starches. After enzymatic reaction, insoluble RS contents increased by 22.3 and 20.7% from 6.9% of waxy and 7.7% of normal corn starches, respectively, using 3.0% starch as acceptor and 0.3 M sucrose as donor, while amylomaize VII showed the lowest increase (8.5%) in RS content. The crystalline polymorph of these enzyme‐modified starches resulted in the B‐type immediately after enzymatic reaction. The enzyme‐modified starches displayed higher melting peak temperatures (85.6–100.6°C) compared to their native starch counterparts (70.1–78.4°C). After enzymatic reaction, pasting temperature increased in waxy (71.9 → 77.6°C) and normal corn starches (75.3 → 80.6°C), and the peak viscosity of waxy corn starches increased from 264 to 349 RVU, whereas that of normal corn starches decreased from 235 to 66 RVU.     

Physicochemical properties of acetylated starches from some Indian kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars

Starches separated from four kidney bean cultivars were modified by acetylation to reduce retrogradation and increase gel stability and compared with respective native starches (data of native starch reported by Wani et al., 2010 ). Acetylation was carried out by treating starches with 0.04 and 0.08 g of acetic anhydride per gram of starch dry weight basis (dwb) at 25 °C and pH between 8.0 and 8.5. The extent of acetylation increased proportionally with the concentration of acetic anhydride used. The pasting curves of 10.7% starch determined by Rapid Visco Analyzer at 160 rpm showed that acetylation decreased the setback viscosity values by 0.64–34.58% and pasting temperature by 4.4–9.2 °C when compared with the native starch. Differential scanning calorimetry observations also revealed significant (P ≤ 0.05) decrease in gelatinisation temperature of acetylated starches than the corresponding native starches. Hardness of starch gels varied between 14.3 and 44.0 g, which was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) lower than the corresponding native starch gels.     

Effect of hydrothermal treatment of runner bean (Phaseolus coccineus) seeds and starch isolation on starch digestibility

The study investigated the effect of traditional soaking and cooking, storage after cooking and freezing (? 18 °C, 21 days) and autoclaving of two varieties of runner bean on starch digestibility. Results achieved were compared with digestibility of isolated starch subjected to similar treatments. The digestibility of native starch from Nata var. seeds was lower after isolation than in raw flour. This starch was characterized by a higher content of fat and lower values of swelling power (SP) and amylose leaching (AML). After the thermal treatment, a significantly higher content of rapidly digestible starch (RDS) was observed both in seeds and starch. It was accompanied by reduced contents of resistant starch (RS) and slowly digestible starch (SDS). In flours from cooked seeds, the content of RDS was observed to be higher than in flours from autoclaved seeds, despite similar changes in contents of other constituents (ash and protein). It was probably due to better starch gelatinization owing to the long-lasting soaking of seeds. This resulted in a greater decrease of amylose content of starch compared to the other flours. Differences in SP, AML and thermal properties between starches isolated from two bean varieties had no influence on their digestibility after cooking. The storage of starch pastes at a temperature of ? 18 °C, unlike that of seeds, resulted in a significant increase in RS content, which shows the importance of other flour components in the process of starch retrogradation.     

Formation of Resistant Starch in Corn Starch and Estimation of its Content from Physicochemical Properties

The effect of autoclaving temperatures (100‐120°C) on yields of enzyme‐resistant starch (RS) from normal corn starch and the physicochemical properties of autoclaved‐cooled starches were studied. The RS content increased linearly with increasing autoclaving temperature (R² = 0.993) and the number of autoclaving‐cooling cycles at an autoclaving temperature of 120°C. The effect of the number of autoclaving‐cooling cycles was more pronounced than that of temperature. The swollen starch weight measured at 60°C slightly increased as the RS content increased, and then drastically decreased with the continous increase of the RS content (R² = ‐0.969). As the RS content increased, all parameters of Rapid Visco Analyser (RVA) viscosity except breakdown decreased. Log RVA peak viscosity showed a negative correlation with the RS content (R² = ‐0.986). The enthalpy in the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) endotherm corresponding to the transitions of RS linearly increased as the RS content increased (R² = 0.988). The RS content of the heat‐treated starch estimated from the relationship between RS content and swollen starch weight at 60°C, log RVA peak viscosity or DSC enthalpy was in good agreement with that determined with the standard method.     

Legume seed vicilins (7S storage proteins) interfere with the development of the cowpea weevil (Callosobruchus maculatus (F))

Vicilins (7S storage proteins) isolated from the seeds of the legumes Vigna unguiculata (cowpea), Vigna angularis (adzuki bean), Canavalia ensiformis (jack bean), Glycine max (soybean), Phaseolus vulgaris (common bean) and Phaseolus lunatus (lima bean) were shown to be immunologically related and to bind to a chitin matrix. The effect of the isolated vicilins on the development of the cowpea weevil Callosobruchus maculatus was examined. Vicilins from all non-host seeds, including those of the C maculatus-resistant cowpea line IT81D-1045, strongly inhibited larval development (ED₅₀ of 1·07±0·32% to 2·22±0·64%). Vicilins from the C maculatus-susceptible cowpea CE-31 and adzuki bean seeds were the exception with ED₅₀ of 6·25±0·75% and 5·40±1·54%, respectively. These results correlate well with the host range of C maculatus and are possibly a reflection of the low digestibility of vicilins by insect midgut proteinases in addition to the ability they show in binding to chitin-containing structures like the ones found in the bruchid midguts. © 1998 SCI.     

Effect of heat-moisture treatment on the formation and physicochemical properties of resistant starch from mung bean (Phaseolus radiatus) starch

Mung bean starch was subjected to a range of heat-moisture treatments (HMT) based on different moisture contents (15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, and 35%) all heated at 120 °C for 12 h. The impact on the yields of resistant starch (RS), and the microstructure, physicochemical and functional properties of RS was investigated. Compared to raw starch, the RS content of HMT starch increased significantly, with the starch treated at 20% moisture having the highest RS content. After HMT, birefringence remained at the periphery of the granules and was absent at the center of some granules. The shape and integrity of HMT starch granules did not change but concavity was observed under scanning electronic microscopy. Apparent amylose contents of HMT starch increased and the HMT starch was dominated by high molecular weight fraction. Both the native and HMT starches showed A-type X-ray diffraction pattern. Relative crystallinity increased after HMT. The gelatinization temperatures (To, Tp, and Tc), gelatinization temperature range (Tc–To) and enthalpies of gelatinization (ΔH) increased significantly in HMT starch compared to native starch. The solubility increased but swelling power decreased in HMT starches. This study clearly shows that the HMT exhibited thermal stability and resistance to enzymatic hydrolysis owing to stronger interactions of starch chains in granule.     

Effect of the Addition of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Flour on the In Vitro Digestibility of Starch and Undigestible Carbohydrates in Spaghetti

Abstract: Spaghetti is considered to be a slowly digestible starch food, a feature ruled by the particular physical properties of the product. Several studies have been reported to increase nutritional value of spaghetti, using legumes. We have studied the addition of common bean flour on the starch in vitro digestibility. Spaghetti was prepared with semolina and different concentrations of common bean flour (0%, 15%, 30%, and 45%, w/w). Proximate analysis, optimal cooking time, and cooking loss were estimated in crude spaghetti. Total, available, and resistant starches, indigestible fractions, and in vitro starch hydrolysis kinetics were accomplished in cooked spaghetti. Pasta with 30% and 45% of common bean flour showed higher values of protein. Particularly, the lowest cooking time was observed for composite spaghetti with 45% of common bean flour. There was a significant increase in cooking loss when common bean flour in the composite was added. Composite spaghetti samples with increasing common bean flour showed decreasing values of total starch but an important increase in the resistant starch (RS) level and indigestible insoluble fraction values. Plain pasta made with semolina showed the highest enzymatic hydrolysis rate, which decreased when common bean flour was added to the spaghetti. Spaghetti with a higher level of common bean flour was more slowly available, which may have positive implications for human health.     

Indigestible Starch of P. lunatus Obtained by Pyroconversion: Changes in Physicochemical Properties

Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus) starch was modified using pyroconversion to produce non‐digestible starch and the functional properties of the pyrodextrinized starches were evaluated. Reaction conditions included: starch/2.2 M HCl ratio (80:1 and 160:1, w/v); temperature (90°C and 110°C) and reaction time (1 and 3 h). “In vitro” indigestible starch and color difference (ΔE) were determined and used as response variables. The optimum product was recovered from native starch treated with a 160:1 starch/HCl ratio, at 90°C for 1 h, which produced modified starches containing 49.5% indigestible starch and ΔE of 18.86. Starch pyrodextrinization decreased the amount of enzymatically available starch through formation of atypical glycosidic bonds that are not digested by the amylases and maltooligosaccharidases in the small intestine of humans. Compared to the P. lunatus native starch, the pyrodextrinized starch exhibited increased paste and gel clarity (52.7%T), solubility (88.7%), and swelling power (26 g water/g starch), a higher gelatinization temperature range (72.5–89.8°C) and lower viscosity. This process can be considered a promising treatment for production of resistant starch (RS) from P. lunatus.