High-amylose Starch Research Articles

Acetylated rice starches films with different levels of amylose: Mechanical, water vapor barrier, thermal, and biodegradability properties.

Biodegradable films from native or acetylated starches with different amylose levels were prepared. The films were characterized according to the mechanical, water vapor barrier, thermal, and biodegradability properties. The films from acetylated high amylose starches had higher moisture content and water solubility than the native high amylose starch film. However, the acetylation did not affect acid solubility of the films, regardless of the amylose content. Films made from high and medium amylose rice starches were obtained; however low amylose rice starches, whether native or acetylated, did not form films with desirable characteristics. The acetylation decreased the tensile strength and increased the elongation of the films. The acetylated starch-based films had a lower decomposition temperature and higher thermal stability than native starch films. Acetylated starches films exhibited more rapid degradation as compared with the native starches films.

One-step method to prepare starch-based superabsorbent polymer for slow release of fertilizer

Here we report the use of a one-step process of reactive melt mixing to prepare starch-based superabsorbent polymers (SBSAPs) for the slow release of urea as a fertilizer. A modified twin-rotor mixer, with improved sealing to establish an oxygen-free environment, was used to study the chemical and physical reactions during the melt-processing through monitoring the temperature and torque. The effects of the initiator (ceric ammonium nitrate, or CAN), crosslinker (N,N′-methylene-bisacrylamide, or N,N′-MBA) and saponification agent (NaOH) under different reaction conditions (time, temperature, and shear intensity) were systematically studied. Also investigated was the effect of starch with different amylose content. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) confirmed that using this simple technique, SBSAPs were successfully prepared from either high-amylopectin starch (waxy corn starch) or high-amylose starch (Gelose 50) grafted with AM and crosslinked by N,N′-MBA. Gel strength was evaluated by rheometry, which revealed a significant increase in storage modulus (G′) obtained in the crosslinked high-amylose SBSAP gels. Also, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed a more sophisticated structural network with a smaller pore size in the crosslinked high-amylose gels. Urea as a fertilizer was embedded in the SBSAP gel network, and this network controlled the urea release in water. The release rate of urea depended on the gel strength, gel microstructure and water absorption capacity (WAC) of SAP, which was affected by the reaction conditions and degree of saponification.

Development of EMS-induced mutation population for amylose and resistant starch variation in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) and identification of candidate genes responsible for amylose variation.

BackgroundStarch is a major part of cereal grain. It comprises two glucose polymer fractions, amylose (AM) and amylopectin (AP), that make up about 25 and 75 % of total starch, respectively. The ratio of the two affects processing quality and digestibility of starch-based food products. Digestibility determines nutritional quality, as high amylose starch is considered a resistant or healthy starch (RS type 2) and is highly preferred for preventive measures against obesity and related health conditions. The topic of nutrition security is currently receiving much attention and consumer demand for food products with improved nutritional qualities has increased. In bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), variation in amylose content is narrow, hence its limited improvement. Therefore, it is necessary to produce wheat lines or populations showing wide variation in amylose/resistant starch content. In this study, a set of EMS-induced M4 mutant lines showing dynamic variation in amylose/resistant starch content were produced. Furthermore, two diverse mutant lines for amylose content were used to study quantitative expression patterns of 20 starch metabolic pathway genes and to identify candidate genes for amylose biosynthesis.ResultsA population comprising 101 EMS-induced mutation lines (M4 generation) was produced in a bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) variety. Two methods of amylose measurement in grain starch showed variation in amylose content ranging from ~3 to 76 % in the population. The method of in vitro digestion showed variation in resistant starch content from 1 to 41 %. One-way ANOVA analysis showed significant variation (p < 0.05) in amylose and resistant starch content within the population. A multiple comparison test (Dunnett’s test) showed that significant variation in amylose and resistant starch content, with respect to the parent, was observed in about 89 and 38 % of the mutant lines, respectively. Expression pattern analysis of 20 starch metabolic pathway genes in two diverse mutant lines (low and high amylose mutants) showed higher expression of key genes of amylose biosynthesis (GBSSI and their isoforms) in the high amylose mutant line, in comparison to the parent. Higher expression of amylopectin biosynthesis (SBE) was observed in the low amylose mutant lines. An additional six candidate genes showed over-expression (BMY, SPA) and reduced-expression (SSIII, SBEI, SBEIII, ISA3) in the high amylose mutant line, indicating that other starch metabolic genes may also contribute to amylose biosynthesis.ConclusionIn this study a set of 101 EMS-induced mutant lines (M4 generation) showing variation in amylose and resistant starch content in seed were produced. This population serves as useful germplasm or pre-breeding material for genome-wide study and improvement of starch-based processing and nutrition quality in wheat. It is also useful for the study of the genetic and molecular basis of amylose/resistant starch variation in wheat. Furthermore, gene expression analysis of 20 starch metabolic genes in the two diverse mutant lines (low and high amylose mutants) indicates that in addition to key genes, several other genes (such as phosphorylases, isoamylases, and pullulanases) may also be involved in contributing to amylose/amylopectin biosynthesis.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12870-016-0896-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Anaerobic biodegradation, physical and structural properties of normal and high-amylose maize starch films

Abstract: Biodegradable plastics have attracted considerable attention in recent years due to their biodegradability, biocompatibility and non-toxicity. In this study, normal maize starch (containing 25% amylose) and high-amylose maize starch (containing 80% amylose) were served as model materials to prepare starch/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) blends. To comprehensively study the effects of amylose contents on the film performances, the mechanical properties, water resistance and anaerobic biodegradability of the two films were examined. Moreover, the processes of anaerobic degradation were investigated by evolutions of biogas production, pH in reactors and the changes of film structures and compositions. The results indicated that amylose content played an important role in the microstructures of starch film as well as mechanical properties and water resistance, whereas it had no significant influence on anaerobic biodegradability of the films. Nonetheless, the structure of high-amylose maize starch/PVA film was more suitable and beneficial to the anaerobic biodegradation than that of the normal maize starch/PVA film, because it could effectively avoid accumulation of volatile fatty acids, which contributed to the stable biogas production, short fermentation period and non-souring in the reactor. Keywords: maize starch film, anaerobic biodegradation, polyvinyl alcohol(PVA), amylose content, biopolymer DOI: 10.3965/j.ijabe.20160905.2005 Citation: Liu W W, Xue J, Cheng B J, Zhu S W, Ma Q, Ma H. Anaerobic biodegradation, physical and structural properties of normal and high-amylose maize starch films. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2016; 9(5): 184－193.

Polysaccharide-based films and coatings for food packaging: A review

The accumulation of synthetic plastics, mainly from food packaging, is causing a serious environmental problem. It is driving research efforts to the development of biodegradable films and coatings. The biopolymers used as raw material to prepare biodegradable films should be renewable, abundant and low-cost. In some cases, they can be obtained from wastes. This review summarizes the advances in polysaccharide-based films and coatings for food packaging. Among the materials studied to develop biodegradable packaging films and coatings are polysaccharides such as cellulose, chitosan, starch, pectin and alginate. These polysaccharides are able to form films and coatings with good barrier properties against the transport of gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide. On the other hand, tensile strength and percentage of elongation are important mechanical properties. Desirable values of them are required to maintain the integrity of the packed food. The tensile strength values showed by polysaccharide-based films vary from each other, but some of them exhibit similar values to those observed in synthetic polymers values. For example, tensile strength values of films based on high amylose starch or chitosan are comparable to those values found in high-density polyethylene films. The values of percentage of elongation are the main concern, which are far from the desirable values found for synthetic polymers. Researchers are studying combinations of polysaccharides with other materials to improve the barrier and mechanical properties in order to obtain biopolymers that could replace synthetic polymers. Functional polymers with antimicrobial properties, as that the case of chitosan, are also being studied.

Development and characterization of cross-linked gellan gum and retrograded starch blend hydrogels for drug delivery applications

The retrogradation of high amylose starch (5% or 10%), by isothermal cycles at 4°C (method 1) or by alternating thermal cycles (method 2) was efficient and promoted important structural modifications. Hydrogels of gellan gum and starch retrograded blends, containing or not ketoprofen, were prepared by ionic and dual cross-linking, at different concentrations of polymer and cross-linkers, and characterized by texture and rheological analysis, X-ray diffraction and morphological analysis. The ionic cross-linking and starch retrograded by method 1 contributed to the improvement of hardness and cohesiveness of hydrogels while the dual cross-linking and starch retrograded by method 2 favored the adhesiveness. The rising of polymer concentration lead to the improvement of all mechanical parameters. Rheological data demonstrated that non-cross-linked dispersions showed a behavior of weak gels and the cross-linked hydrogels presented a predominantly elastic behavior (G′≫G″), peculiar of strong gels. X-ray diffraction, rheological data and the scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM) revealed that the increase of polymers and cross-linkers concentration and the presence of drug resulted in stronger and more stable tridimensional structures. The suitable adhesiveness and high strength and elasticity of hydrogels H253IC-KT, H255IC-KT, H21053DC-KT and H21055DC-KT make them more promising materials for the design of mucoadhesive drug delivery systems.

Mechanical properties and solubility in water of corn starch-collagen composite films: Effect of starch type and concentrations

This study investigated the possibility of enhancing the properties of collagen with three different maize starches: waxy maize starch, normal starch, and high amylose starch. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed that starch-collagen films had a rougher surface compared to pure collagen films which became smoother upon heating. Amylose starch and normal starch increased the tensile strength of unheated collagen films in both dry and wet states, while all starches increased tensile strength of collagen film by heating. Depending upon the amylose content and starch concentrations, film solubility in water decreased with the addition of starch. DSC thermograms demonstrated that addition of all starches improved the thermal stability of the collagen film. Moreover, X-ray diffraction results indicated that except for high amylose starch, the crystallinity of both starch and collagen was significantly decreased when subject to heating. FTIR spectra indicated that intermolecular interactions between starch and collagen were enhanced upon heating.

The effect of starch amylose content on the morphology and properties of melt-processed butyl-etherified starch/poly[(butylene succinate)-co-adipate] blends

In this study, butyl-etherified waxy and high amylose starches were melt-processed with biodegradable poly[(butylene succinate)-co-adipate] (PBSA) to improve the long-term stability of the starch-based materials. Butyl-etherification was believed to improve the compatibility of starch with PBSA matrix. Scanning electron microscopy results demonstrated that highly branched amylopectin structures in butyl-etherified starch have better chemical interaction with the PBSA matrix compared to linear amylose structures. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the thermal stability of the blends decreased with increasing starch loading for all starch types with varying amylose content; however, the nature of the starch controlled the mechanical properties of the blends. Furthermore, the differential scanning calorimetric and polarised optical microscopic results demonstrated that the degree of crystallinity of PBSA decreased with increasing loading of amylopectin content in starch. Therefore, this work reveals the possibility of improving the inherent properties of starch by blending with PBSA through careful selection of the amylose content in starch.

Acrylic bone cement and starch: Botanical variety impact on curing parameters and degradability

Acrylic bone cements are a conventional solution to heal bone defects. Starch is often added to the cement to improve its degradability and resorbability. The most used botanical variety is corn starch; few studies or applications deal with other varieties. This study focuses on classical formulations based on 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate but incorporating different starches: waxy maize, corn, amylo maize, wheat, pea or potato, with or without enzyme (α-amylase).A thermocouple is used to determine the curing parameters: setting time and maximal temperature. The water uptake depends on the cement immersion time in a biological fluid and it is studied through sample mass variation analysis. The weight loss is determined after immersion (function of the time) and drying.Starch botanical variety and enzyme presence do not impact curing parameters and water uptake but strongly influence degradability. Water uptake involves advantageous swelling in situ filling the defect. This study shows that starch accessibility by the enzyme explains this impact. Grain spatial configuration, specific surface area and starch distribution in cement give a complementary explanation of the well-known influence of the ratio amylopectin/amylose. Acrylic cements incorporating starch can be classified according to their degradability.

Poly(vinyl alcohol) composite films with high percent elongation prepared from amylose‐fatty ammonium salt inclusion complexes

ABSTRACTAmylose inclusion complexes prepared from cationic fatty ammonium salts and jet‐cooked high amylose starch were combined with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH) to form glycerol‐plasticized films. For the octadecylammonium salt complexes, elongation was significantly higher than the PVOH control when the amount of complex incorporated was from 20% to 70%. For the dodecyl‐ and hexadecylammonium salt complexes, elongation was significantly higher than PVOH films for 20% to 40% incorporation of cationic complex. Tensile strength declined with increasing levels of amylose‐ammonium salt complex, and surface hydrophobicity (contact angle) was significantly higher than PVOH films. Microscopy showed no phase separation or phase inversion, suggesting intimate mixing due to ionic interactions between cationic ammonium salt complexes and the hydroxyl groups of PVOH. The high elongations of these films and increased water contact angles are marketable advantages, along with the lower cost and increased biodegradability of the starch‐based component. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 44110.

Dietary butyrylated high-amylose starch reduces azoxymethane-induced colonic O6-methylguanine adducts in rats as measured by immunohistochemistry and high-pressure liquid chromatography

O6-methyl guanine (O6MeG) adducts are major toxic, promutagenic, and procarcinogenic adducts involved in colorectal carcinogenesis. Resistant starch and its colonic metabolite butyrate are known to protect against oncogenesis in the colon. In this study, we hypothesized that a dietary intervention that specifically delivers butyrate to the large bowel (notably butyrylated high-amylose maize starch [HAMSB]) would reduce colonic levels of O6MeG in rats shortly after exposure to the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) alkylating agent azoxymethane (AOM) when compared with a low-amylose maize starch (LAMS). A further objective was to validate an immunohistochemistry (IHC) method for quantifying O6MeG against a high-performance liquid chromatography method using fluorescence and diode array detection. Rats were fed either LAMS or HAMSB diets for 4 weeks followed by a single injection of AOM or saline and killed 6 hours later. After AOM exposure, both IHC and high-performance liquid chromatography method using fluorescence and diode array detection measured a substantially increased quantity of DNA adducts in the colon (P<.001). Both techniques demonstrated equally that consumption of HAMSB provided a protective effect by reducing colonic adduct load compared with the LAMS diet (P<.05). In addition, IHC allowed visualization of the O6MeG distribution, where adduct load was reduced in the lower third of the crypt compartment in HAMSB-fed rats (P=.036). The apoptotic response to AOM was higher in the HAMSB-fed rats (P=.002). In conclusion, the reduction in O6MeG levels and enhancement of the apoptotic response to DNA damage in the colonic epithelium through consumption of HAMSB provide mechanistic insights into how HAMSB protects against colorectal tumorigenesis.

Preparation and characterization of aqueous dispersions of high amylose starch and conjugated linoleic acid complex

Crystalline starch-CLA complexes were prepared by blending an alcoholic solution of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in an aqueous high-amylose maize starch dispersion. Recovery yield of CLA in the precipitates obtained by centrifuging the dispersion was dependent on reaction conditions such as temperature, time and pH. The CLA recovery reached a maximum when the reaction was performed at 90°C for 6h at neutral pH, with 67.7% of the initial CLA being co-precipitated with starch. The precipitates contained amylose-CLA complex exhibiting a V6I-type crystalline structure under X-ray diffraction analysis and a type II polymorph under DSC analysis. Ultrasonic treatment for the re-dispersed starch-CLA complex in water resulted in the reduction of hydrodynamic diameter of the complex particles to 201.5nm. The dispersion exhibited a zeta potential of −27.0mV and remained stable in an ambient storage without forming precipitates for more than 4weeks.

Spray-dried high-amylose sodium carboxymethyl starch: impact of α-amylase on drug-release profile

Spray-dried high-amylose sodium carboxymethyl starch (SD HASCA) is a promising pharmaceutical excipient for sustained-release (SR) matrix tablets produced by direct compression. The presence of α-amylase in the gastrointestinal tract and the variations of the gastric residence time of non-disintegrating dosage forms may affect the presystemic metabolism of this excipient and, consequently, the drug-release profile from formulations produced with SD HASCA. In this study, the influence of α-amylase and the residence time in acidic conditions on the drug-release profile was evaluated for a once-daily acetaminophen formulation (Acetaminophen SR) and a once-daily tramadol hydrochloride formulation (Tramadol SR). Both formulations were based on SD HASCA. α-Amylase concentrations ranging from 0 IU/L to 20000 IU/L did not significantly affect the drug-release profiles of acetaminophen and tramadol hydrochloride from SD HASCA tablets (f2 > 50) for all but only one of the studied conditions (f2 = 47). Moreover, the drug-release properties from both SD HASCA formulations were not significantly different when the residence time in acidic medium was 1 h or 3 h. An increase in α-amylase concentration led to an increase in the importance of polymer erosion as the main mechanism of drug-release instead of drug diffusion, for both formulations and both residence times, even if release profiles remained comparable. As such, it is expected that α-amylase concentration and residence time in the stomach will not clinically affect the performance of both SD HASCA SR formulations, even if the mechanism of release itself may be affected.

Understanding the structure and digestibility of heat-moisture treated starch

To rationalize the effects of heat-moisture treatment (HMT) on starch digestibility, the HMT-induced alterations in the mesoscopic and molecular scale structures of regular and high-amylose maize starches, as well as in their digestibility, were evaluated. Accompanying the supramolecular structural disorganizations and certain molecular degradation induced by HMT, somewhat molecular rearrangements occurred to probably form densely packed starch fractions, which eventually weakened starch digestion and thus transformed RDS into SDS and RS for regular and high-amylose starches. Interestingly, due to its larger amount of inter-helical water molecules that could be induced by HMT, B-polymorphic high-amylose starch was more susceptible to HMT (relative A-polymorphic regular starch), causing more prominent structural evolutions including molecular re-assembly and thus increasingly slowed digestion. In particular, the treated high-amylose starch with 30% moisture content showed a high SDS+RS content (48.3%). The results indicate that HMT-treated starch may serve as a functional ingredient with adjustable enzymatic digestibility for various food products.

Insights into the hierarchical structure and digestion rate of alkali-modulated starches with different amylose contents

Combined analytical techniques were used to explore the effects of alkali treatment on the multi-scale structure and digestion behavior of starches with different amylose/amylopectin ratios. Alkali treatment disrupted the amorphous matrix, and partial lamellae and crystallites, which weakened starch molecular packing and eventually enhanced the susceptibility of starch to alkali. Stronger alkali treatment (0.5% w/w) made this effect more prominent and even transformed the dual-phase digestion of starch into a triple-phase pattern. Compared with high-amylose starch, regular maize starch, which possesses some unique structure characteristics typically as pores and crystallite weak points, showed evident changes of hierarchical structure and in digestion rate. Thus, alkali treatment has been demonstrated as a simple method to modulate starch hierarchical structure and thus to realize the rational development of starch-based food products with desired digestibility.

Covalent immobilization of α-amylase on magnetic particles as catalyst for hydrolysis of high-amylose starch

Enzyme immobilized on magnetic particles can be used as efficient recoverable biocatalysts under strong magnetic response. To enable re-use of enzyme, modified Fe3O4 particles were used as carrier to immobilize α-amylase in this paper. Firstly, the surface of Fe3O4 particles were coated with amino groups by direct using TEOS (tetraethoxysilane) followed by treatment with APTES (3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane) and then carboxylated by reacting it with succinic anhydride. In addition, the effect of the immobilization condition on enzyme activity recovery and immobilization efficiency were investigated. The results showed that the optimal immobilization occurred under following conditions: pH 5.5, 40°C, enzyme concentration of 20mgmL−1, reaction time for 36h. Using immobilized α-amylase as biocatalyst, the optimum pH and temperature for hydrolysis were observed to be 6.5 and 60°C. The kinetics of hydrolysis reaction were studied using Michaelis–Menten equation. The affinity constant (Km) and maximum reaction rate (vmax) of magnetic particles immobilization α-amylase (MPIA) was 0.543mgmL−1 and 1.321mgmin−1 compared to those of 0.377mgmL−1 and 6.859mgmin−1 of free enzyme. After immobilization, enzymatic activity, storage stability, thermo-stability, and reusability of MPIA were found superior to those of the free one. MPIA maintained 86% enzyme activity after 30 days and maintained 78% enzyme activity after recycling six times.

Molecular structure and enzymatic hydrolysis properties of starches from high-amylose maize inbred lines and their hybrids

High-amylose maize starch has health benefits and special industrial uses. In this study, starches were isolated from normal maize and high-amylose inbred and hybrid maizes. Their molecular structure and enzymatic hydrolysis properties were investigated and analyzed. The high-amylose hybrid maize starch contained lower amylose, intermediate component, amylopectin long branch-chains, and amylopectin average chain length, and higher amylopectin short branch-chains than did high-amylose inbred maize starch. High-amylose maize starch was more resistant to α-amylase and amyloglucocidase hydrolysis and had a significantly lower hydrolysis rate coefficient than normal maize starch did. The native, gelatinized and retrograded starches of the high-amylose hybrid maize had significantly higher rapidly digestible starch and lower resistant starch than those of the high-amylose inbred maize. The retrogradation of gelatinized starch markedly increased the resistance of high-amylose starch to in vitro digestion. The high contents of amylose and intermediate component and the long branch-chains of amylopectin increased the resistance of maize starch to enzymatic hydrolysis and in vitro digestion.

Heat Production and Energy Efficiency of Broilers Infected With Necrotic Enteritis.

Necrotic enteritis (NE) in poultry is the most important bacterial disease in terms of economic losses. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of an experimental challenge with necrotic enteritis on respiration and heat production in birds pretreated with dietary acylated starch or antibiotics (AB) zinc bacitracin (50 mg/kg) plus salinomycin (60 mg/kg). In total, 48 1-day-old Ross 308 male broilers were assigned to floor pens until day 10. On day 11, birds were randomly placed into 16 calorimetric chambers with four replicates of three birds per treatment. Treatments were: control, AB, acetylated high-amylose maize starch (SA), or butyrylated high-amylose maize starch (SB). Birds were NE challenged by inoculation with 5000 sporulated oocysts each of Eimeria maxima and Eimeria acervulina and 2500 sporulated oocysts of Eimeria brunetti on day 9 and Clostridium perfringens (3.8 × 10(8) colony-forming units) on day 14. The results showed that heat production (HP), respiratory quotient (RQ), heat increment, weight gain (WG), feed intake (FI), and livability (LV) of birds fed control, SA, and SB diets were lower than birds fed AB at 19 and 42 hr postinoculation (P < 0.05). At 65 hr postchallenge, increased FI and WG of birds were observed, indicating recovery from NE. During the entire period, from day 14 to day 17, birds fed control, SA, and SB had lower WG, FI, HP, RQ, metabolizable energy intake (MEI), and metabolizable energy (P < 0.01) than those fed AB. The data demonstrate that Eimeria sp. and C. perfringens challenge reduces growth performance, HP, RQ, metabolizable energy, and MEI of birds fed control, SA, and SB but not AB diets.

Sorption Study of a Starch Biopolymer as an Alternative Desiccant for Energy Wheels

The sorption of water vapor on high amylose starch was investigated as an alternative desiccant for air-to-air energy exchangers used in ventilation units. Sorption performance of micron-sized mesoporous high amylose starch (HAS15, dp = 15 μm, Pw = 46 A) and two mesoporous silica gel samples (SG13, dp = 13 μm, Pw = 62 A; Pw = 62 A; SG55, dp = 55 μm, Pw = 77 A) were studied and compared. Transient water vapor sorption tests were performed using small-scale energy exchangers coated with HAS15 and silica gel. Although N2 gas adsorption tests showed lower sorption capacity for HAS15 compared to the silica gel samples, higher sorption rates and uptake capacity were shown for HAS15 when measured by water vapor transient sorption results. In addition, the latent effectiveness, an indicator of moisture recovery efficiency for exchangers, was calculated for each exchanger. With the same amount of desiccant coated on the energy exchanger channels, the latent effectiveness of the HAS-coated material was 2%–13% great...

Effects of dietary starch types on rumen fermentation and blood profile in goats

The objective of the present study was to investigate how feeding a diet containing a type of puri- fied starch entirely produced from normal or high amylose maize grains would affect rumen fermentation and blood profile in goats. Twenty rumen-cannulated growing goats were assigned equally to one of two dietary treatments according to a randomized controlled trial design and fed two total mixed rations with similar ingredients and chemical composition except for the types of purified maize starch. One type was the high amylose starch (HAS), and the other was the normal amylose starch (NAS). Compared to goats fed the NAS diet, goats fed the HAS diet had significantly higher ruminal pH (P = 0.00), molar proportions of acetate (P = 0.00), butyrate (P = 0.01) and isobutyrate (P = 0.00), acetate to propionate ratio (P = 0.00), plasma concentra- tions of glucose (P = 0.02) and C-reactive protein (P = 0.03), and plasma levels of insulin (P = 0.03) and gastrin (P = 0.04), but had significantly lower ruminal concentrations of lactate (P = 0.04) and total volatile fatty acids (P = 0.04), propionate molar percentage (P = 0.00), whole blood ammonia concentration (P = 0.02), plasma concentrations of urea nitrogen (P and creatinine (P = 0.02), plasma levels of glucagon (P = 0.02) and motilin (P = 0.04), and plasma activities of glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (P = 0.02) and creatine kinase (P = 0.03). In addition, the HAS diet in comparison to the NAS diet tended to raise whole blood hematocrit (P 0.08), plasma concentrations of albumin (P branched-chain amino acids (P valine (P = 0.09), phenylalanine (P = 0.08) and proline (P = 0.07), plasma levels of growth hormone (P = 0.06) and interleukin-2 (P = 0.07), and plasma α-amylase (P = 0.05) activity in goats. In conclusion, results showed that feeding goats the HAS diet instead of the NAS diet had multiple beneficial effects.