Development and Characterization of Active Native and Cross-Linked Pearl Millet Starch-Based Film Loaded with Fenugreek Oil

In this study, cross-linked pearl millet starch and fenugreek oil was used to develop active starch edible films to overcome the limitations of native starch and to substitute artificial preservatives with natural one. The starch was cross-linked at three levels (1%, 3% and 5%) using sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP), and physicochemical properties were studied. Moreover, a comparative study was conducted among four samples of films prepared using native starch, cross-linked starch, and native and cross-linked starch loaded with fenugreek oil for physical, thermal, mechanical, morphological, and antibacterial properties. The solubility, swelling, and amylose content of native and modified starch varied from 11.25–12.75%, 12.91–15.10 g/g, and 8.97–16.55%, respectively. The values of these parameters were reduced as the concentration of STMP increased. Cross-linked starch films showed lower moisture, solubility, water vapor permeability(WVP), and elongation at break (EB) values while having higher thickness, opacity, thermal, and tensile strength values. The microscopic images of cross-linked starch films showed smooth surfaces and the absence of ridges, pores, and cracks. The films loaded with fenugreek oil showed different results; the moisture content, water solubility, and tensile strength were decreased while thickness, opacity, WVP, and EB were increased. The onset temperature and peak temperature were lower, while enthalpy of gelatinization was increased to a greater extent than films without oil. The addition of fenugreek oil to films showed a good inhibition area of 40.22% for native+oil films and 41.53% for cross-linked+oil films % against Escherichia coli. This study confirmed the successful utilization of fenugreek oil as a very effective antimicrobial agent in preparing edible films.

Modifikasi Pati Aren dengan Crosslinking Agent STPP (Sodium Tri Poly Phospate) dan Penambahan Poli Vinil Alkohol terhadap Karakteristik Bioplastik

Modifikasi pati adalah metode yang dilakukan untuk mengatasi kelemahan pati alami diantaranya sifat hidrofilik (ketahanan air yang rendah). Modifikasi pati secara crosslinking dilakukan untuk mendapatkan swelling power rendah, kekuatan regang rendah, dan suhu granula pati untuk pecah lebih rendah. Pada penelitian ini telah dilakukan modifikasi pati aren secara crosslinking menggunakan STPP (Sodium Tripoly Phospate) dengan prinsip mengganti gugus hidroksil pati dengan gugus fosfat yang berikatan silang. Penelitian dilakukan secara eksperimental dengan metode Rancangan Acak Lengkap dua variabel, yaitu berat PVA (0; 1; 2; 2,5 gram) dan presentase STPP (1%; 3%; 4%; dan 5%) terhadap sifat ketahanan air (uji swelling) dan ketahanan degradasi bioplastik. Penelitian dilakukan dengan tiga tahapan kerja yaitu (1)pembuatan modifikasi pati aren; (2)pembuatan bioplastik, dan (3)analisa bioplastik. Dari hasil penelitian disimpulkan bahwa pati aren termodifikasi crosslinking STPP memberikan hasil ketahanan bioplastik yang lebih baik dibandingkan dengan pati aren alami (native starch). Dari berbagai perlakuan sampel, disimpulkan bahwa pati termodifikasi STPP menurunkan nilai swelling (penyerapan) bioplastik, dengan hasil terbaik pada penambahan 5% STPP dan 2 gram PVA sebesar 40%.

Protein Targeting to Starch Synthase 1, a Functional Protein of Starch Biosynthesis in Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.)

In cereal endosperm, native starch comprising amylose and amylopectin is synthesized by the coordinated activities of several pathway enzymes. Amylose in starch influences its physio-chemical properties resulting in several human health benefits. The Granule-Bound Starch Synthase I (GBSSI) is the most abundant starch-associated protein. GBSSI lacks dedicated Carbohydrate-binding module (CBM). Previously, Protein Targeting Starch Synthase 1 (PTST1) was identified as a crucial protein for the localization of GBSSI to the starch granules in Arabidopsis. The function of its homologous protein in the wheat endosperm is not known. In this study, TaPTST1, an AtPTST1 homolog, containing a CBM and a coiled-coil domain was identified in wheat. Protein-coding nucleotide sequence of TaPTST1 from Indian wheat variety ‘C 306’ was cloned and characterized. Homology modelling and molecular docking suggested the potential interaction of TaPTST1 with glucans and GBSSI. The TaPTST1 expression was higher in wheat grain than the other tissues, suggesting a grain-specific function. In vitro binding assays demonstrated different binding affinities of TaPTST1 for native starch, amylose, and amylopectin. Furthermore, the immunoaffinity pull-down assay revealed that TaPTST1 directly interacts with GBSSI, and the interaction is mediated by a coiled-coil domain. The direct protein-protein interaction was further confirmed by bimolecular fluorescence complementation assay (BiFC) in planta. Based on our findings we postulate a functional role for TaPTST1 in starch metabolism by targeting GBSSI to starch granules in wheat endosperm.

Development of Starch-Based Materials Using Current Modification Techniques and Their Applications: A Review

Starch is one of the most common biodegradable polymers found in nature, and it is widely utilized in the food and beverage, bioplastic industry, paper industry, textile, and biofuel industries. Starch has received significant attention due to its environmental benignity, easy fabrication, relative abundance, non-toxicity, and biodegradability. However, native starch cannot be directly used due to its poor thermo-mechanical properties and higher water absorptivity. Therefore, native starch needs to be modified before its use. Major starch modification techniques include genetic, enzymatic, physical, and chemical. Among those, chemical modification techniques are widely employed in industries. This review presents comprehensive coverage of chemical starch modification techniques and genetic, enzymatic, and physical methods developed over the past few years. In addition, the current applications of chemically modified starch in the fields of packaging, adhesives, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, superabsorbent and wastewater treatment have also been discussed.

Proso-Millet-Starch-Based Edible Films: An Innovative Approach for Food Industries

The present investigation searches for functional and antioxidant properties in proso millet starch and films. Proso millet starch was studied for its physical, chemical, morphological, and antioxidant properties. Furthermore, films were prepared from proso millet starch (native) and a starch–ĸ-carrageenan blend. Both films were characterized for moisture content, thickness, water-solubility, opacity, water vapor permeability, and textural and antioxidant properties. The amylose content, water absorption capacity, swelling, and solubility power of the proso millet starch were 19.19%, 87.5%, 15.32%, and 19%, respectively. Compared to aqueous extracts (0.68 mg GAE/g and 0.36 mg AAE/g), the total phenolics and total antioxidant capacity were observed to be higher in methanolic starch extracts (0.75 mg GAE/g and 0.41 mg AAE/g). Methanol extracts of native starch-based films showed higher antioxidant activity than the film prepared using a ĸ-carrageenan blend. The water vapor permeability and solubility of films prepared from native starch (2.38 g/Pa·s·m2 and 28%) were lower than those prepared using the ĸ-carrageenan blend (3.19 g/Pa·s·m2 and 42.05%). The findings may be of commercial interest to pharmaceutical and food industries in producing new antioxidant-rich drugs and food products.

Properties and Characterization of Starch as a Natural Binder: A Brief Overview

This paper was reviewed about the properties and characterization of starch as a natural binders. Starch is one of the most abundant organic compounds and applied as a binder. The efficiency of binder are affected by the characteristic and properties of starch. The characteristics of starch are determined by the biological origin. Starch is composed of D-glucose in polysaccharides and it was isolated from leaves, stems, tubers, seeds, and roots of higher plants where it serves as an energy reserve. This review concentrates the several types of characterization which are structural properties, morphology properties, viscosity and functional group of starch. The X-ray diffraction result shows that the relative crystallinity decreased for modified starch compared with native starch while scanning electron microscope shows the modified starch slightly has rough surface compared with native starch. Nowadays, the concern on eco-environmental issues is increasing and this review has shown that starch is eco-environmental friendly binder that can be used in various application.

Physicochemical Properties of Sago Ozone Oxidation: The Effect of Reaction Time, Acidity, and Concentration of Starch

The disadvantageous properties of sago starch has limited its application in food and industrial processes. The properties of sago starch can be improved by changing its physicochemical and rheological characteristics. This study examined the influence of reaction time, acidity, and starch concentration on the oxidation of sago starch with ozone, a strong oxidant. Swelling, solubility, carbonyl, carboxyl, granule morphology, thermal profile, and functional groups are comprehensively observed parameters. With starch concentrations of 10–30% (v/w) and more prolonged oxidation, sago starch was most soluble at pH 10. The swelling power decreased with a longer reaction time, reaching the lowest pH 10. In contrast, the carbonyl and carboxyl content exhibited the same pattern as solubility. A more alkaline environment tended to create modified starch with more favorable properties. Over time, oxidation shows more significant characteristics, indicating a superb product of this reaction. At the starch concentration of 20%, modified sago starch with the most favorable properties was created. When compared to modified starch, native starch is generally shaped in a more oval and irregular manner. Additionally, native starch and modified starch had similar spectral patterns and identical X-ray diffraction patterns. Meanwhile, oxidized starch had different gelatinization and retrogradation temperatures to those of the native starch.

Effect of Taro Starch, Beet Juice, Probiotic, and/or Psicose on Gut Microbiota in a Type 2 Diabetic Rat Model: A Pilot Study

Background and Objectives. The gut microbiota has been shown to be involved in the development and severity of type 2 diabetes (T2D). The aim of the present study was to test the effect of potential functional food ingredients, alone or in combination, on the gut microbiota composition in diabetic rats in a pilot study of 1 week of feeding. Methods. In a pilot study to modulate the composition of the gut microbiota, (i) native taro starch, (ii) modified taro starch, (iii) beet juice, (iv) psicose, (v) the probiotic L. plantarum IS-10506, (vi) native starch combined with beet juice, (vii) native starch to which beet juice was adsorbed, (viii) modified starch combined with beet juice, and (ix) modified starch to which beet juice was adsorbed were fed to rats in which T2D was induced with streptozotocin (STZ). After one week, the composition of the gut microbiota was evaluated by sequencing the PCR-amplified V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Results and Conclusions. The next-generation sequencing showed that 13 microbial taxa of the gut microbiota were significantly different between groups, depending on the treatment. The results of this pilot study will be used to design a 4-week intervention study in STZ-induced T2D rats to determine the best functional food for counteracting T2D, including their effects on satiety hormones. This should ultimately lead to the development of functional foods for prediabetic and diabetic individuals.