Modification of Electrode Using Arrowroot Starch Membrane for Uric Acid Determination

Arrowroot starch membrane-modified glassy carbon electrode were constructed for the determination of uric acid. The membrane consist of arrowroot starch, polyvinyl alcohol, uric acid, and crosslinker. The crosslinker used was sodium tripolyphosphate, citric acid, and glutaraldehyde. Carbon material was added to increase the sensitivity. The composition of membrane influences the electrodes sensitivity. The best composition of arrowroot starch membrane is UA1 using 0.1% uric acid in membrane and STPP as crosslinker. The linearity concentration, sensitivity, and detection limit were 100-500 µM, 0.0509 A/M and 76 µM, respectively.

Biodegradable Sheet from Chitosan and Arrowroot Starch by Compression Moulding and its Properties

This research work entitled preparation and properties evaluation of biodegradable sheet from arrowroot starch and chitosan. It was carried out through compression moulding method by using Arrowroot starch, Chitosan, Glycerol, Citric acid, water. Functional properties like Tensile strength, Elongation at break (%), biodegradability were evaluated. There were two treatments T1 and T2 with varying composition of arrowroot starch and chitosan. Tensile strength was observed as 4.80MPA (T1) and 3.74 MPA (T2). Elongation at break % was 155.6% (T1) and 203.3% (T2). Soil burial method was used for evaluation of biodegradability of sheet. T2 had better percentage of decomposition in 30 days. The biodegradable sheet can be used for various packaging applications and safety to environment as they are biodegradable.

A Case of Arrowroot Starch Adulteration: Importance of Independent Testing of Dietary Supplements in Clinical Nutrition Research

Objectives Adulteration of dietary supplements is widespread and can affect the quality and credibility of clinical nutrition research. In this case report, we describe the difficulties encountered with identity testing of one of our dietary supplements – arrowroot starch – chosen as the placebo for our nutrition intervention trial. Methods To test the effect of protein and alkali on skeletal muscle health, we planned a randomized controlled trial using a high protein diet supplement with or without an alkaline salt supplement. The study selected Maranta arundinacea L. (arrowroot) starch as placebo because of its neutral potential renal acid load compared to some other starches. Commercially available samples of arrowroot starch were purchased from three different US distributors. Independent identity testing was conducted by digital microscopy by Alkemist Labs (Garden Grove, CA). Results All three commercially available arrowroot starch samples came with an authentication certificate stating that the starch was derived from the Maranta arundinacea L. plant. On gross examination, the appearance, odor, and consistency of all three samples was similar. On microscopy with digital photo documentation, starch granules from the Maranta arundinacea L. plant range in shape from ovoid, pear-shaped to triangular. The expected size would be 40–75 um and the distinct pattern would have concentric striations and a hilum that resembles a bird or “M”. Surprisingly, we found that only one of the three commercially available arrowroot starch samples was characteristic of Maranta arundinacea L. granules on microscopy. The starch granules from samples from the other two US distributors could not be identified. Conclusions This case study reveals the extensive adulteration of commercially available arrowroot starch in the US. It also highlights the importance of third-party, independent testing of dietary supplements to confirm authentication of the product composition especially for clinical nutrition trials. Funding Sources NIA R01AG055443–03 (Ceglia).

Edible Films and Coatings Formulated with Arrowroot Starch as a Non-Conventional Starch Source for Plums Packaging

Increasing environmental awareness has promoted an interest in alternative strategies to common plastics obtained from fossil sources, stimulating research on the use of biodegradable and edible films/coatings obtained from renewable sources such as arrowroot starch. This research work aimed to evaluate the use of arrowroot starch on the formation of edible films and coatings. Increasing the concentration of arrowroot starch (from 1% to 5%, mass/mass) in the film produced by casting resulted in increased water vapor permeability (from 2.20 to 3.68 g mm/m2 day kPa), moisture content (3.22% to 7.95%), increased thickness (from 0.029 to 0.101 mm), and decreased solubility in water (from 22.45% to 13.89%). The films were homogeneous, transparent and manageable, with the exception of the film with 1% starch. Film-forming solutions at concentrations of 0%, 2%, and 4% (mass/mass) of arrowroot starch were prepared and applied to plums to evaluate post-harvest behavior when stored at 25 and 5 °C for 35 days. The 2% coating adhered well to the plums’ surfaces, was bright and was effective in reducing mass loss and respiratory rate, associated with storage temperature of 5 °C. The 4% coating presented an opaque and flocculated appearance.