Starch Levels Research Articles

Exploring the noodle‐making potential and digestibility of native oat starch and citric acid cross‐linked resistant oat starch

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate the noodle‐making potential of oat starch and how addition of chemically modified oat starch affects quality and digestibility. An oat starch noodle preparation method was optimized and subsequently used for substituting varying levels of native oat starch (NOS) with citrate‐modified oat starch (COS) (15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%).FindingsResults indicated that NOS noodles showed similar cooking loss, cooking time, and color to commercial rice noodles. Significant differences emerged between COS and NOS noodles concerning cooking time, adhesiveness, and color values. Noodles with a 25% substitution of COS demonstrated favorable quality characteristics. In terms of in vitro digestibility, noodles with COS substituted at 25% of NOS released the least amount of glucose over the 300‐min digestion period compared to NOS and commercial noodles.ConclusionsThe partial replacement of NOS with COS significantly reduced the cooking time of noodles without affecting their adhesiveness and color compared to NOS‐only noodles. Furthermore, the in vitro digestion experiments showed that partial substitution of NOS with COS results in lower glucose release than NOS‐only noodles, which is desirable for the management of postprandial blood glucose levels.Significance and NoveltyOat starch by‐products show potential for human consumption through starch noodle preparation, presenting promising avenues for the utilization of oat starch within the food industry.

Improved engineered fungal-bacterial commensal consortia simultaneously degrade multiantibiotics and biotransform food waste into lipopeptides

Resource utilization of food waste is necessary to reduce environmental pollution. However, antibiotics can enter the environment through food waste, resulting in antibiotic residues, which pose potential risks to human health. In this study, commensal artificial consortia were constructed through intercellular adaptation to simultaneously degrade antibiotics and bioconvert food waste into lipopeptides. The biodegradation efficiency of oxytetracycline in the three-strain consortium, which contained lipopeptide-producing Bacillus amyloliquefaciens HM618, high-level proline-producing Corynebacterium glutamate, and laccase-producing Pichia pastoris, was around 100% in the food waste medium at 72 h; this was higher than that in the pure culture of P. pastoris-Lac. Sulfamethoxazole could be removed at 48 h. However, the lipopeptide level in the three-strain consortium was only 77 mg/L. The four-strain consortium containing free fatty acid-producing Yarrowia lipolytica improved the lipopeptide level to around 218 mg/L. The degradation efficiency of oxytetracycline in the four-strain consortium was 100% at 48 h; however, only 56% of the sulfamethoxazole was removed over 96 h. Three five-strain consortia were formed by introducing recombinant manganese peroxidase-producing P. pastoris, recombinant HM618 with high-level amylase, and serine-producing C. glutamicum. In low starch food waste, the highest degradation efficiency of sulfamethoxazole was 71%, while oxytetracycline could be completely removed at 48 h. However, oxytetracycline inhibited starch degradation and lipopeptide production. The high level of starch improved lipopeptide synthesis to 1,280 mg/L. The results of this study provide a feasible strategy for the resource utilization of inferior biomass food waste.

Foliar Application of Nettle and Japanese Knotweed Extracts on Vitis vinifera: Consequences for Plant Physiology, Biochemical Parameters, and Yield

Climate change is expected to affect grapevine physiology, berry quality, and yield in the Douro Demarcated Region (DDR). In this study, nettle (NE) and Japanese knotweed (JKE) extracts were tested to verify their biostimulant effect on the physiological and biochemical parameters of grapevine leaves and in vine yields. In fact, some parameters were improved after foliar application of the plant extracts, namely the photosynthetic activity and consequently, the levels of photosynthetic pigments (Clb), starch, and total soluble sugars. We also observed a reduction in lipid peroxidation, which could play a crucial role in protecting cell membranes from oxidative damage induced by the climatic conditions prevalent in this region. Therefore, we confirmed that the foliar application of plant extracts, along with the enhancement of secondary metabolites and the upregulation of plant defense genes, as previously reported, resulted in the enhancement of grapevine physiology, while also increasing the yield at harvest. In the future, these plant extracts could serve as a vital tool for winegrowers in mitigating the effects of expected changes in climatic conditions.

Effects of kelp meal (Laminaria japonica) on the growth, nutrition, and intestinal health of the largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)

Macroalgae are both highly productive and rich in bioactive molecules that have been shown to enhance growth and health of fish. Feed with high starch levels affects the health of fish. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of replacing partial starch with kelp (Laminaria japonica) meal (KM) on the growth performance, nutrient composition, and intestinal microbiota of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides, LMB). LMB (initial weight 13.00 ± 0.02 g) were fed three diets containing 0 % (K0), 5 % (K5), and 9 % (K9) kelp meal for 8 weeks. The results showed that with the addition of KM, growth performance and feed intake increased significantly, while hepatosomatic index decreased significantly. The whole body and muscle crude protein contents were significantly increased with the addition of KM. Liver catalase activity was significantly increased in K9, while serum malondialdehyde levels declined accordingly. Serum triglyceride, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels were significantly lower in K5 than in K0, suggesting that the addition of KM contributed to healthy liver function. The addition of KM to the diet significantly improved intestinal histology and amylase activity. In addition, the Chao index of the intestinal microbiome in the K5 group was significantly higher than in the K0 group. The relevant abundance of beneficial bacteria (Cetobacterium) tended to increase and that of pathogenic bacteria (Plesiomonas) tended to decrease with the addition of KM. In conclusion, partial replacement of starch with kelp meal increased growth performance, feed intake, muscle protein content, the antioxidant capacity and improved intestinal structure, as well as healthy intestinal microbiome. Kelp meal may be a beneficial substitute for starch for healthy aquaculture of M. salmoides.

Carotenoid composition and sequestration in cassava (Manihot esculentum Crantz) roots.

Cassava (Manihot esculentum Crantz) is a staple food source for many developing countries. Its edible roots are high in starch but lack micronutrients such as β-carotene. In the present study, analysis of pedigree breeding populations has led to the identification of cassava accessions with enhanced β-carotene contents up to 40 μg/g DW. This represents 0.2% of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for vitamin A. The β-branch of the carotenoid pathway predominates in cassava roots, with dominant levels of β-carotene followed by other minor epoxides of β-ring derived carotenoids. Metabolomic analysis revealed that steady state levels of intermediary metabolism were not altered by the formation of carotenoids, similar to starch and carbohydrate levels. Apocarotenoids appeared to be independent of their carotenoid precursors. Lipidomic analysis provided evidence of a significant positive correlation between carotenoid and lipid content, in particular plastid specific galactolipids. Proteomic analysis of isolated amyloplasts identified the majority of proteins associated with translation and carbohydrate/starch biosynthesis (e.g. glucose-1-phosphate adenylyltransferase). No carotenoid related proteins were detected even in the highest carotenoid containing lines. Carotenoids were associated with fractions typically annotated as plastoglobuli and plastid membranes (particularly the envelope). Proteomic analysis confirmed these structures apart from plastoglobuli, thus potentially amyloplast structures may not contain classical plastoglobuli structures.

Changes in total soluble solids concentration, fruit acidity, and yeast assimilable nitrogen in response to altered leaf area to fruit weight ratio in Pinot noir

The increasing consumer demand for lower alcohol wine and the need to mitigate against a warming climate presents new challenges for winegrowers and the desire to produce grapes with lower total soluble solids (sugar) or earlier harvesting, while preserving other wine compounds and attributes, particularly for varieties intended for red wine production. We investigated how reducing vine leaf area through shoot trimming and leaf removal, applied at different severities and timings to modify the leaf area to fruit weight (LA) ratio, affects fruit composition for producing lower alcohol quality Pinot noir wine. Shoot trimming treatments (half canopy, H in 2015/16 and 2016/17, and quarter canopy, Q in 2016/17 by alternately removing leaves after trimming shoots to half) were applied shortly before veraison (V-, E-L 34), during veraison (V, E-L 35) and post-veraison (V+, E-L 36) in three different vineyard locations (Marlborough, Canterbury and Central Otago, New Zealand). Untrimmed vines served as the control. Lateral shoots were removed during treatment application, and regrowth was removed to maintain a consistent leaf area. Results showed that reducing the LA:FW ratio delayed the accumulation and concentration of total soluble solids (reduction of 1.0 to 2.7 °Brix) at harvest in all trimmed vines over both seasons. Berry weight, malic acid concentration, titratable acidity, and pH at harvest were unaffected by trimming. At target TSS levels of 18 °Brix (10 % ethanol, v/v) in the Marlborough vineyard and 20 °Brix (11 % v/v) in the Central Otago vineyard, V+ vines showed malic acid and titratable acidity levels comparable to the control. At the Canterbury vineyard, these parameters remained similar across all treatments at 16 °Brix (8.9 % v/v). Yeast-assimilable nitrogen concentration increased (188 to 411 mg/L) in early trimmed vines. At Central Otago, roots showed lower carbohydrate reserves across all trimming treatments, likely due to the high yield at the site, while at Canterbury, trimming did not result in significant differences in carbohydrate reserves, likely due to the low yield at the site. At the Marlborough vineyard, vines trimmed early and more severely had less starch in their roots, while HV+ vines maintained similar levels of starch to controls. In conclusion, halving the canopy post-veraison (HV+, LA 0.70 m²/kg as observed in Marlborough) could be considered a viable viticultural option to lower sugar accumulation, thereby reducing potential alcohol content, without affecting titratable acidity and pH. This practice offers significant potential for adapting to a warming climate and producing lower alcohol Pinot noir wines in a sustainable manner.

Short-term organic fertilizer substitution increases sorghum yield by improving soil physicochemical characteristics and regulating microbial community structure.

Chemical fertilizer reduction combined with organic fertilizer (organic fertilizer substitution) has a positive impact on crop productivity and sustainable development. However, the effects of short-term organic fertilizer substitution on microbial community structure and functions of sorghum rhizosphere soil and on sorghum yield remain unclear. Herein, this study investigated the short-term effects of organic fertilizer substitution on sorghum soil physicochemical properties, microbial community structure and enzyme activities using Metagenomic sequencing technology. The fertilization treatment included no fertilization (CK), pure chemical fertilizer N (CF), substitution of 25% chemical fertilizer N with organic N (NF25), substitution of 50% chemical fertilizer N with organic N (NF50), substitution of 75% chemical fertilizer N with organic N (NF75), and pure organic fertilizer N (NF100); soil samples were collected and analyzed in the flowering period of sorghum. The results showed that the suitable organic fertilizer substitution rate of sorghum field was 50%, and its yield was the highest among all treatments (9789.9 kg/hm2). Compared with the CF treatment, a medium ratio (50%) of organic fertilizer substitution significantly reduced soil alkalization (by 3.05%), improved soil nutrients, enhanced soil enzyme activities, and increased sorghum yield (P < 0.05). After organic fertilizer substitution treatment, higher protein, fat, and total starch levels accumulated in sorghum grains, and the tannin content of grains decreased. The effect of organic fertilizer substitution on bacterial diversity was greater than that on fungal diversity. Among the dominant bacterial phyla, the medium ratio of organic substitution treatment significantly increased the relative abundances of Proteobacteria (by 3.57%) and Actinomycetes (by 14.94%), and decreased the relative abundances of Acidobacteria (by 5.18%) and Planctomycetes (by 7.76%) compared with no fertilization, while the dominant fungal phyla did not respond significantly to the addition of organic fertilizer. Organic fertilizer substitution also improved soil microbial metabolic pathways, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, and carbon metabolism. The biomarkers enriched in inorganic fertilizer treatment and organic fertilizer substitution treatments had similar relevant environmental elements but reversed correlation trends. Moreover, soil Alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen and L-leucine aminopeptidase were important environmental factors influencing the structure of bacterial and fungal communities in sorghum soils, respectively. Soil nutrient levels and microbial communities together explained the variation in annual sorghum yield. The results of this study provide evidence that short-term organic fertilizer substitution increases sorghum yield by improving soil properties and regulating microbial community structure.

Economic-ecological assessment of multi-crop small-scale model farms in the Republic of Armenia (piloting results from Gegharqunik region)

Background: Biogenic elements such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) are major pollutants of Lake Sevan's water, causing eutrophication and deterioration of water quality. Untreated wastewater, sewage, agriculture, fish farming, and other activities are significant sources of these pollutants. Vegetable cultivation, heavily reliant on mineral fertilizers and chemicals, and livestock breeding contribute substantially to nitrogen pollution in the lake. However, improved vegetable growing practices, including small-scale agriculture using organic fertilizers, natural soil improvers, and eco-friendly bio-liquids as growth stimulants, can enhance the socio-economic conditions for farmers in the Lake Sevan basin. These practices promote environmentally friendly, water-saving land-use methods, reducing nitrogen leaching into the lake. Objective: This study aims to demonstrate the socio-economic and environmental benefits of applying innovative agro-technology to small-scale farming in the Lake Sevan watershed (Gegharkunik region). Specifically, the study objectives are to determine the quality characteristics of crops grown in small-scale farms and compare these quality indicators between yields obtained through the proposed technology and traditional cultivation methods. Methods: Field trials of multi-crop systems were conducted on 0.25 ha land plots in four variations across four different locations in the Lake Sevan watershed. The trials were evaluated for various parameters. Nitrate content, dry matter, starch, vitamin C, and sugar levels were determined in potatoes, cabbage, broccoli, beets, and green beans, while fat content was measured in green beans and green peas. Results: Economic efficiency calculations revealed that utilizing the proposed innovative agro-technology in a multi-crop small-scale farm (0.25 ha) yielded a 20-25% increase compared to traditional cultivation with synthetic fertilizers, accompanied by notable environmental benefits. Conclusions: The study demonstrates that small-scale agricultural practices employing the proposed agro-technology have significant socioeconomic and environmental impacts on local farmers. Keywords: Cultivation of non-traditional crops, organic farming, small-scale farming, activities, economic and ecological evaluation, and food quality characteristics.

Effects of Protected Cultivation on Agronomic, Yield, and Quality Traits of Yard-Long Bean (Vigna unguiculata ssp. unguiculata cv.-gr. sesquipedalis)

Protected cultivation is the sustainable approach to horticultural crop production under adverse climates. In this study, the performance of yard-long beans under three protected cultivations, including single-span polyhouse (SSP), five-span polyhouse (FSP), and insect-proof net house (IPN), is examined and compared to open field cultivation. The above protected cultivation can extend the harvest period of pods by 6–10 days, improve their quality, and increase yield by 15.6% to 25.1%, reducing the incidence and severity of thrips and Cercospora leaf spot, rust, and powdery mildew. Among them, yard-long beans grown in SSP are longer and straighter in shape and have the lowest incidence and severity of pests and diseases and the highest levels of total polyphenols, total sugar, soluble protein, starch, and fiber. This indicates that protected cultivation has broad application in the production of yard-long beans. Through full subset regression analysis (FSRA), we report here that the yield and of yard-long bean occurrences of pests and diseases were highly impacted by climatic factors, especially UV radiation intensity and air temperature. These results have considerable implications for improving pod yield and quality and green prevention and control of pests and diseases through optimizing facility structure and fertilizer management.

Gamma wave frequency affect Microglial states

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease, and its core symptoms are memory loss and cognitive impairment. Recent studies show that gamma wave oscillation plays an important role in regulating the protein level of starch and slowing down the progress of AD. This study focuses on the effect of gamma wave oscillation on the formation of amyloid spots in AD mouse model, and evaluates its possibility as a non-invasive treatment.

The Protein/Carbohydrate Ratio in the Diet Affects Zootechnical Performance and the Regulation of Intermediary Metabolism in Juveniles Tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum).

The use of carbohydrates in animal feed is a way to save protein in the diet. This study evaluated the effect of protein/starch ratio on the performance, hepatic metabolism, and body composition of juvenile tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum). Six isoenergetic experimental diets were formulated containing three levels of digestible protein (P: 230, 260 and 290 g kg- 1) and two levels of starch (S: 180 and 280 g kg- 1): P23S18, P23S28, P26S18, P26S28, P29S18 and P29S28. Juveniles tambaqui (N = 288; initial weight = 30.0 ± 3.8 g) were fed experimental diets for 90 days and the zootechnical performance was evaluated. Nine fish from each treatment group were sampled to determine somatic indices, blood metabolites, tissue energy reserves, body composition and activity of key hepatic enzymes. Blood triglycerides, hepatosomatic index, liver and muscle lipids, and hepatic glycogen increased significantly with starch while blood glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol, muscle lipids were significantly impacted by protein levels. Fish-fed S28 had increased feed intake (1714-1829 g; p < 0.0001) and fish-fed diet P26S18 had a higher protein efficiency rate (23.62%; p = 0.0356). Fish fed P23 had lower crude protein retention in the carcass (p = 0.0018) and high lipogenesis and lipid deposition in the muscle (p = 0.0069). These results suggest that dietary carbohydrates have a protein-sparing effect. Tambaqui adapted well to diets containing starch, even at higher levels, resulting in an overall increase in lipogenesis from S18 to S28. Thus, we recommend P26S18 as a cost-effective feed that ensures both zootechnical performance and quality of the final product.

Metabolic engineering of the serine/glycine network as a means to improve the nitrogen content of crops.

In plants, L-serine (Ser) biosynthesis occurs through various pathways and is highly dependent on the atmospheric CO2 concentration, especially in C3 species, due to the association of the Glycolate Pathway of Ser Biosynthesis (GPSB) with photorespiration. Characterization of a second plant Ser pathway, the Phosphorylated Pathway of Ser Biosynthesis (PPSB), revealed that it is at the crossroads of carbon, nitrogen, and sulphur metabolism. The PPSB comprises three sequential reactions catalysed by 3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PGDH), 3-phosphoSer aminotransferase (PSAT) and 3-phosphoSer phosphatase (PSP). PPSB was overexpressed in plants exhibiting two different modes of photosynthesis: Arabidopsis (C3 metabolism), and maize (C4 metabolism), under ambient (aCO2) and elevated (eCO2) CO2 growth conditions. Overexpression in Arabidopsis of the PGDH1 gene alone or PGDH1, PSAT1 and PSP1 in combination increased the Ser levels but also the essential amino acids threonine (aCO2), isoleucine, leucine, lysine, phenylalanine, threonine and methionine (eCO2) compared to the wild-type. These increases translated into higher protein levels. Likewise, starch levels were also increased in the PPSB-overexpressing lines. In maize, PPSB-deficient lines were obtained by targeting PSP1 using Cas9 endonuclease. We concluded that the expression of PPSB in maize male gametophyte is required for viable pollen development. Maize lines overexpressing the AtPGDH1 gene only displayed higher protein levels but not starch at both aCO2 and eCO2 conditions, this translated into a significant rise in the nitrogen/carbon ratio. These results suggest that metabolic engineering of PPSB in crops could enhance nitrogen content, particularly under upcoming eCO2 conditions where the activity of GPSB is limited.

Impact of a Dual Treatment on Resistant Starch Level and Techno‐Functional Properties of Pea and Faba Bean Flours

AbstractStarch‐rich pulses’ flours, which are rich in fiber and resistant starch (RS), can be an interesting gluten‐free ingredient for the development of novel healthy foods. The study aims to increase the RS content of protein‐reduced fraction of legume flours (pea [P] and faba bean [FB]) by the application of thermal (autoclaving‐cooling) and dual (thermal plus high‐hydrostatic pressure) treatments. Both treatments enhance the RS contents, reaching 6.8% in P flour after dual treatment. The techno‐functional properties are dependent both on the type of flour and the treatment applied. A loss of water solubility (WS) and an increase in water binding capacity are observed. The WS index and emulsion activity remained unchanged or slightly changed, but emulsion stability decreased significantly. The viscosity of the samples is modified according mainly to the flour type. P flour is more affected by the dual treatment than FB flour, which is evidenced by the greater changes shown in RS, WS, and pasting properties.

Impact of the stepwise implementation of INFOGEST semi-dynamic conditions on in vitro starch and protein digestion: A case study on lentil cotyledon cells

The impact of food design parameters on digestion is mostly studied using static in vitro digestion models. In this work, the complexity of the static model was gradually increased, by implementing several dynamic gastric reactor conditions, i.e., gradual (i) acidification, (ii) pepsin addition, and (iii) emptying, as well as (iv) saliva in the oral phase. As a relevant case study, starch and protein digestion was studied in lentil cotyledon cells under these conditions. Implementation of these dynamic parameters affected gastric proteolysis, linked to the pH-dependence of pepsin, and amylolysis, linked to the pH-dependence of salivary amylase activity. Though gastrointestinal hydrolysis kinetics were affected by the applied simulation conditions, similar levels of starch and protein digestion were generally reached at the end of the simulated digestion. Salivary amylase was not completely inactivated at the low gastric pH conditions, resulting in significantly higher levels of small intestinal starch digestion upon saliva inclusion. Gastric emptying significantly affected macronutrient hydrolysis kinetics. In that regard, an approach separately considering gastric samples taken upon different gastric emptying times should be preferred over the pooling of gastric samples before simulating small intestinal digestion.

Effect of adding various supplements on physicochemical properties and starch digestibility of cooked rice

This study investigated the physicochemical modifications of cooked rice caused by adding various supplements (rapeseed oil, dried wasabi powder, and dried chili pepper powder). The physicochemical and digestive properties of treated cooked rice were analyzed using multiple techniques to determine the impact of supplements on the rice quality, including its starch digestibility. All samples with added supplements showed an increase in surface firmness (0.77–0.95 kg·m/s2 (N)) and a decrease in thickness (2.23–2.35 mm) and surface adhesiveness (1.43–7.22 J/m3). Compared to the control group, two absorption peaks at 2856 and 1748 cm−1 and new signals at 1683 and 1435 cm−1 appeared in the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Analysis of FTIR results revealed that the interaction force was mainly through noncovalent interactions. Moreover, adding supplements increased the resistant starch (RS) levels in all samples. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) suggested that oil-enriched phases, proteins, and polyphenols could cause large agglomeration and loose gel structure. These results suggested the formation of amylose-guest molecule complexes, which may influence starch functionality. Our work could provide insight into the starch–supplement interactions and the key factors affecting starch digestibility.

Investigating the role of starch in the structuring of meat alternatives from mung bean and pea protein isolates via heat-induced gelation

IntroductionThe structuring of plant-based meat alternatives is a complex process which is highly dependent on qualitative and quantitative proportion of different ingredients. In the present study, starch, protein, and oil concentrations were optimized for the formulation of meat alternative (MA) using response surface methodology (RSM).MethodsProtein isolates of mung bean and pea protein, &amp;amp; corn starch were used along with sunflower oil to formulate meat alternatives using heat-induced gelation. The protein functionality of mungbean protein isolate (MBPI) and pea protein isolate (PPI) were analyzed. In addition, the effects of constituent composition on the physicochemical properties of meat alternatives were studied using RSM.ResultsThe protein content exhibited an elevation with increased levels of MBPI and PPI in 15:15 ratio. Moisture and hardness were chiefly influenced by oil content, as they displayed a decline with increasing oil levels. The color (L*) was principally affected by starch and oil, where the L* reduced with increasing levels of both variables. Springiness was influenced by the interaction of protein ratio (MBPI:PPI) and starch, as it showed a lowest value at the lowest level of protein and the highest level of starch. Chewiness was influenced by the interaction of hardness and springiness. The microstructure analysis showed dense protein matrix in the meat alternative.DiscussionOverall, the study shows that starch facilitated the structuring of meat alternative formulated using MBPI and PPI which could be utilized as potential materials for enhanced textural properties of the meat alternatives.

Structural and Physicochemical Characterization of Resistant Starch from Sixteen Banana Cultivars across Three Genome Groups.

Banana fruits are rich in starch, and unripe banana flour is considered a beneficial ingredient in the food industry because it has high levels of resistant starch, which significantly aids in promoting gut health and regulating blood sugar and lipid levels. However, the associations between banana cultivars with various genotypes cultivated globally and their resistant starch properties remain unclear. Herein, we investigated resistant starches from 16 banana cultivars covering three genome groups (ABB, AAB, and AAA) in order to reveal the differences and similarities among these cultivars. The results showed that there was a genotype-specific pattern in banana resistant starch (BRS) degradation. The AAA genome BRS exhibited a high degree of resistant starch degradation. The genotypes of the banana cultivars also impacted the granular morphology of the resistant starch. The ABB and AAB genome BRS were more conducive to forming resistant starch. The BRS samples from the three genome groups displayed either B-type or C-type structures. Even within the same genome group, the BRS samples exhibited differences in thermal and pasting properties. These findings reveal the impact of genotypes on BRS content and characteristics, providing a basis for future breeding and resistant starch utilization.

Effect of masticatory behavior on the characteristics of biscuit bolus with different amounts of chia seed powder without compromising taste

This study investigated the impact of masticatory behavior, including variations in chewing duration (D) and chewing frequency (F), on the bolus characteristics of biscuits with different chia seed powder (CSP) additions. Five distinct biscuits were prepared with varying amounts of CSP (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%, w/w) and their physicochemical indexes and sensory properties were conducted. Subsequently, six types of bolus were obtained under different conditions of chewing duration (15, 30, or 45s) and chewing frequencies (70 or 90 times per minute). The moisture content, texture properties, and in vitro starch digestion of bolus were also determined. The findings indicated a significant decrease in the spread ratio, with a reduction of approximately 25% in biscuits enriched with 20% (w/w) CSP compared to the control (0%). And the 15% added CSP biscuits had the highest overall acceptance rating. After chewing, the particle size decreased significantly (p < 0.05), with increased surface inhomogeneity and a decline in rapidly digestible starch (RDS) levels. The moisture content, salivary uptake, and resistant starch (RS) of bolus chewed for a long duration (D45) were at least 1.3 times higher than those chewed for a short duration (D15). Nevertheless, the salivary flow rate and RDS were found to be significantly lower. Changes in chewing frequency for the bolus with CSP did not significantly alter the bolus texture and image texture properties. However, the discomfort associated with high-frequency reduced the saliva flow rate. This study discusses how CSP addition and masticatory behavior affect the characteristics of CSP biscuit bolus, providing insights for innovative chia seed nutritious food research and understanding consumer masticatory behavior.

Use of rice flour to produce plant-based yogurt alternatives.

Plant-based yogurt alternatives (YAs) are in demand due to the societal prevalence of milk sensitivities and allergies and some consumers abstaining from animal-derived products. Producing rice flour YAs has considerable potential because rice flour is hypoallergenic, more economical compared to plant milks, and there are no commercial rice-based YAs. A new higher protein variety of rice was developed, Frontière, which is sold as both brown and white rice. Therefore, the overall goals of this study were (1) to compare physicochemical properties of YAs from Frontière brown (Frontière brown rice flour [FBRF]) and white (Frontière white rice flour [FWRF]) high-protein rice flours to regular protein level rice flours and (2) to evaluate the sensory quality of Frontière YAs compared to commercial plant-based oat yogurt. Rice flours were fermented with Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus (a probiotic) to produce FBRF- and FWRF-YAs. A consumer study was conducted to compare FBRF- and FWRF-YAs to a commercially available oat-based YA. Consumers rated the YAs using 9-point hedonic and just-about-right (JAR) scales. Protein, fat, and ash levels were greater, whereas starch levels and peak viscosities were lower for BRFs than for WRFs. The use of BRF resulted in longer fermentation times but higher bacteria counts for YAs. FWRF-YA was preferred in terms of overall flavor and liking, sweetness, and tartness. Purchase intent (PI) for FWRF-YA increased 2.6 times after providing a health claim. This research showed that rice flour can be used to produce YAs with probiotic counts above the minimum recommended, which provides added health benefits for consumers. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This research provides a possible new use of Frontière high-protein rice flour to produce plant-based yogurts. This will help the rice industry by adding value, and those who are vegan, allergic to casein, or lactose-intolerant will have another option for a plant-based yogurt. Moreover, the greater levels of probiotic bacteria found in the brown rice flour YAs can potentially provide greater health benefits, making brown rice flour a better choice for making rice-based YAs.

Increased sugar content impairs pollen fertility and reduces seed-setting in high-photosynthetic-efficiency rice

Crop yield depends on biomass, which is primarily associated with photosynthesis. We previously demonstrated that two photorespiratory bypasses, i.e., GOC (glycolate oxidase + oxalate oxidase + catalase) and GCGT (glycolate oxidase + catalase + glyoxylate carboligase + tartronic semialdehyde reductase), significantly increased photosynthesis, biomass, and grain yield, but decreased seed-setting rates in rice. This study explored the underlying mechanism of how elevated photosynthetic efficiency impacted the seed-setting. First, pollen germination assessed in vivo and in vitro, revealed a reduced germination rate in GCGT rice. Subsequent analysis found that photosynthates highly accumulated in the leaves and stems; sucrose and soluble sugar levels were increased but the starch level was reduced in the anthers. Uridine diphosphate glucose (UDP-Glc) was increased but uridine diphosphate galactose (UDP-Gal) was unaltered, thus causing an imbalance in the UDP-Glc/UDP-Gal ratio in GCGT anthers. Most anthers in GCGT plants had two locules in contrast to four in the wild-type (WT). Pollen tapetum was developmentally abnormal, and genes related to sucrose synthesis, transport, and tapetal programmed cell death (PCD) were upregulated, whereas those involved in starch synthesis and conversion were downregulated in GCGT anthers. Taken together, our results demonstrated that an increase in sugar content was the primary factor causing reduced seed-setting rates in high photosynthetic efficiency rice, during which metabolic disorder of sugars and UDP sugar imbalance in anthers lead to impaired pollen fertility.