Development of high-yielding white maize hybrids with better chapatti-making quality compared to traditionally used local landraces.

Introduction: The present research focuses on the chapatti making quality of high-yielding white maize hybrids compared to available low-yielding local yellow and white landraces in India. Materials and methods: In this study, the top nine superior hybrids were selected for testing the physical properties of the maize kernels, proximate composition of flours and chapattis, physical parameters of chapatti, textural properties, sensory evaluation of chapattis and pasting properties of maize flour. Results and discussion: The results revealed the superiority of white maize hybrids (WMH), viz., WHM 1, WHM 2, and WHM 8 over the local yellow and white landraces for most of the parameters studied. In sensory analysis, though, the yellow landrace was considered superior by the panellists in terms of colour but the white maize hybrids outperformed in overall sensory analysis and were more acceptable than the yellow and white maize landraces. These high yielding white maize hybrids with good consumer acceptance may cater for the needs of rural and tribal populations in India who prefer white maize as a staple food.

Synthesis, optimization, and characterization of precipitation derived starch nanoparticles from guinea seeds.

Guinea starch nanoparticles (GS-SNP) were developed using ultrasound and nanoprecipitation techniques. The physicochemical, thermal, structural, morphological, pasting, and rheological properties of GS-SNP were examined and compared with native starch. The particle size of GS-SNP was 391.50-206.00 nm, with a PDI of 0.35-0.23 and a zeta potential of -37.5 to -13 mV. The amylose content of GS-SNP increased with a decrease in relative crystallinity, and a VH-type crystalline structure was observed. The GS-SNP were in round shape with some self-aggregated granules. The water and oil absorption capacity, solubility, and gelatinization temperature of GS-SNP increased, but the swelling power was restricted. The viscosity of the GS-SNP dispersion remained almost constant throughout the heating but slightly increased after cooling. A higher degree of shear thinning was observed due to a fluid-like gel network and weak gel structure. The optimum conditions were: 50 % amplitude, 30 min time, and a starch to ethanol ratio (1:4) with 85 % maximum desirability. Overall, the findings suggest that GS-SNP have promising potential for application in a liquid system where viscosity of the system cannot be significantly influenced by temperature.

Valorization of guinea grass seed (Megathyrsus maximus): Synthesis and utilization of cellulose microfiber to reinforce esterified and cross-linked guinea starch films.

The present study extracts starch from guinea grass seed and fiber from the starch extraction residue. The fibrous residue was chemically converted into cellulose microfiber (CMF) and used to reinforce the native, esterified and crosslinked guinea starch films. The films were developed with 5 % starch, 40 % glycerol and 0, 2.5, 5, and 10 % CMF based on the dry matter of starch. SEM images of all film samples showed good compatibility of CMF with starch molecules, and no fractures or pores were observed. Adding filler materials to modified starch films slightly increased the film thickness (0.24 to 0.30 mm) due to the high dimensions of CMF, which comprise a significant amount of the composite's volume. A synergetic effect of starch modification and CMF in films decreased the moisture content (21.98 to 9.21 %), water solubility (25.65 to 15.47 %), water vapor permeability (6.96×10-7 to 1.65×10-7g∙mm2∙day∙Pa), and elongation at the break (33.51 to 16.79 %) while increasing the tensile strength (1.84 to 3.85 MPa) and Young's modulus (5.49 to 22.93 MPa). The L* and a* values of the films decreased, and the b* and opacity values of the films increased with the addition of CMF. The XRD graph showed that all films have semicrystalline structures with peaks at 18°, 20°, and 22°, and the degree of crystallinity increases (32.3 to 55.1 %) with CMF. All film samples showed good thermal stability up to 315 °C. In conclusion, esterified starch-based films exhibited superior barrier properties and flexibility. On the contrary, cross-linked starch films demonstrated higher tensile strength and lower water solubility.

Advances in isolation, characterization, modification, and application of Chenopodium starch: A comprehensive review.

The Chenopodium genus includes >250 species, among which only quinoa, pigweed, djulis, and kaniwa have been explored for starches. Chenopodium is a non-conventional and rich source of starch, which has been found effective in producing different classes of food. Chenopodium starches are characterized by their smaller granule size (0.4-3.5 µm), higher swelling index, shorter/lower gelatinization regions/temperature, good emulsifying properties, and high digestibility, making them suitable for food applications. However, most of the investigations into Chenopodium starches are in the primary stages (isolation, modification, and characterization), except for quinoa. This review comprehensively explores the major developments in Chenopodium starch research, emphasizing isolation, structural composition, functionality, hydrolysis, modification, and application. A critical analysis of the trends, limitations, and scope of these starches for novel food applications has also been provided to promote further scientific advancement in the field.

Functional, thermal and structural properties of fractionated protein from waste banana peel.

Defatted banana peel powder was fractionated using the Osborne method to extract albumin, globulin, prolamin, and glutelin for physicochemical and functional characterization. The total recovery of protein was ∼89.76%. Albumin was the dominant one in terms of yield (62.4%) and protein content (65.15%) among all the fractions. The mean diameter of albumin (635.05 µm) and glutelin (642.62 µm) were significantly smaller than globulin (726.81 µm) and prolamin (986.45 µm). The highest water (1.86 ± 0.12 g/g), oil (1.97 ± 0.12 g/g) holding capacity, and emulsion capacity (59.27 ± 1.25%) were found for the albumin fraction. In contrast, the glutelin fraction showed the highest foaming capacity (19.13 ± 0.41%) and dispersibility (951.55 ± 3.83 g/kg). The denaturation temperature of protein fractions was found in the range of 30.31-82.08 °C. FTIR confirmed low carbohydrates and protein richness of albumin fraction. XRD revealed the crystalline nature of albumin (65%) and the amorphous nature of other fractions (41-45%). The morphology of all fractions was different, which influenced the functional characteristics.

Valorization of unpopped Foxnut starch in stabilizing Pickering emulsion using OSA modification.

Starch was isolated from unpopped fox nut (Euryale ferox) and the effect of octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA) concentration (1, 2 and 3%) on physiochemical, functional, pasting, rheological and structural properties of was examined. The amylose content of native starch (22.9%) was higher than the modified starch (13.7%) for 3% OSA treatment. The water absorption capacity (1.29-0.9 g/g) significantly reduced, while oil absorption capacity (0.15-0.61 g/g), solubility (5-48%) and swelling power (2.77-13.60 g/g) increased after modification. The modification also altered the pasting properties by increasing the peak viscosity and reducing the pasting temperature. The cooked gel of all starch showed shear-thinning flow behavior and dynamic rheology confirmed reduction in storage and loss modulus after modification. Modified starch became rougher and irregular in shape and showed type A pattern as confirmed by SEM and XRD. Soybean oil-in-water Pickering emulsions were prepared by ultrasonication (US, 30 and 40% amplitude for 2 and 4 min) using starch as particle stabilizer and major factors influencing emulsion stability were investigated. Pickering emulsions prepared at 30 and 40% amplitude for 4 min US, produced the smaller droplet size, stable up to 15 days. However, all OSA modified starches were able to separate the oil and water even after the size of droplets increased with storage. The microstructure of the Pickering emulsions confirmed that starch particles aggregated in a tightly packed layer at the oil-water interface.

Experimental and modeling studies of the flow, dynamic and creep recovery properties of pearl millet starch as affected by concentration and cultivar type.

Starch from pearl millet varieties viz. ProAgro 9444 and HHB 67, selected on the basis of amylose content was studied for steady, dynamic and creep recovery characteristics as affected by concentration (3-15%). ProAgro 9444 and HHB 67 possess amylose content of 20.21% and 15.05%, respectively. Starch gel exhibited shear thinning behavior with flow behavior index <1, well described by Herschel Bulkley model (R2 > 0.969) at all the concentrations. The starch pastes were thixotropic and the extent increased with increasing concentration and amylose content. Dynamic shear properties obtained within the linear viscoelastic region suggested weak gel like behavior at all concentrations, except 3% starch from HHB 67 which was categorized as dilute solution. Weak gel like behavior at other concentrations was supported by tan δ < 1, and the gel from ProAgro 9444 was more elastic. Power law analysis of data from mechanical spectra also reflected weak gel behavior except for 3% HHB 67. High amylose and increasing concentration favored gel formation as magnitude of temperature at peak G' and G″ were lower. Creep compliance followed Burger model at higher concentrations whereas 3% HHB 67 exhibited Newtonian behavior. The strain recovery increased with increase in starch concentration and amylose content.

Influence of alkali treatment on physicochemical, pasting, morphological and structural properties of mango kernel starches derived from Indian cultivars.

Present investigation was aimed to characterize the influence of alkali treatment on physicochemical, pasting, morphological and structural properties of mango kernel starches from three cultivars viz. Safeda, Chausa, Dussheri when treated with 0.1, 0.25 and 0.5% NaOH for 0, 5 and 10 days at 25 °C. Alkali treated starches have shown significant reduction (p < 0.05) in water binding capacity and amylose content whereas significant increase was observed in solubility and swelling power when compared with their native counterparts. Pasting properties of modified starches have shown significant changes from their respective native ones with highest reduction observed in Dussheri. Morphology was slightly affected by alkali treatment reflected as dents and grooves on the surface of starch granules. X-ray diffraction patterns were typically A-type, similar to native starches with decrease in crystallinities. IR spectra remained unaffected even after prolonged treatment. Thus, the time duration and concentration of alkali had played critical role in changing the physicochemical, pasting and morphological properties of mango kernel starches that could be potentially utilized for application in innovative products to enhance their textural and sensory attributes.

Comparative study of raw and germinated Chenopodium (Chenopodium album) flour on the basis of thermal, rheological, minerals, fatty acid profile and phytocomponents.

This study determined the effects of germination on the minerals, fatty acids, pasting, thermal, rheological and phytocomponents contents of Chenopodium album flour. The predominant fatty acids in raw flour were palmitic (0.83%), oleic (0.99%) and linoleic acids (1.96%), which increased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) with germination. Minerals (Na, Cu and Zn) and dietary fiber (soluble and insoluble) were increased with germination, while pasting and gelatinization properties were reduced significantly. Scanning electron micrographs showed destruction of the continuous composite structure of starch embedded in the dense protein matrix of flour following germination. Quantitative analysis of C. album flour by GC-MS revealed that germinated flour contained more phytocompounds than raw flour. This research suggests the potential of germination in enhanced product development and utilization of valuable bioactive compounds.

Wheats developed for high yield on stored soil moisture have deep vigorous root systems.

Many rainfed wheat production systems are reliant on stored soil water for some or all of their water inputs. Selection and breeding for root traits could result in a yield benefit; however, breeding for root traits has traditionally been avoided due to the difficulty of phenotyping mature root systems, limited understanding of root system development and function, and the strong influence of environmental conditions on the phenotype of the mature root system. This paper outlines an international field selection program for beneficial root traits at maturity using soil coring in India and Australia. In the rainfed areas of India, wheat is sown at the end of the monsoon into hot soils with a quickly receding soil water profile; in season water inputs are minimal. We hypothesised that wheat selected and bred for high yield under these conditions would have deep, vigorous root systems, allowing them to access and utilise the stored soil water at depth around anthesis and grain-filling when surface layers were dry. The Indian trials resulted in 49 lines being sent to Australia for phenotyping. These lines were ranked against 41 high yielding Australian lines. Variation was observed for deep root traits e.g. in eastern Australia in 2012, maximum depth ranged from 118.8 to 146.3cm. There was significant variation for root traits between sites and years, however, several Indian genotypes were identified that consistently ranked highly across sites and years for deep rooting traits.

Engineering and functional properties of biodegradable pellets developed from various agro-industrial wastes using extrusion technology.

Different agro-industrial wastes were mixed with different plasticizers and extruded to form the pellets to be used further for development of biodegradable molded pots. Bulk density and macro-porosity are the important engineering properties used to determine the functional characteristics of the biodegradable pellets viz., expansion volume, water solubility, product colour, flowability and compactness. Significant differences in the functional properties of pellets with varying bulk densities (loose and tapped) and macro-porosities (loose, tapped) were observed. The observed mean bulk density of biodegradable pellets made from different formulations ranged between 0.213 and 0.560 g/ml for loose fill conditions and 0.248 to 0.604 g/ml for tapped fill conditions. Biodegradable pellets bear a good compaction for both loose and tapped fill methods. The mean macro-porosity of biodegradable pellets ranged between 1.19 and 54.48 % for loose fill condition and 0.29 to 53.35 % for tapped fill condition. Hausner ratio (HR) for biodegradable pellets varied from 1.026 to 1.328, indicating a good flowability of biodegradable pellets. Pearson's correlation between engineering properties and functional properties of biodegradable pellets revealed that from engineering properties functional properties can be predicted.

Physicochemical, pasting, rheological, thermal and morphological properties of horse chestnut starch.

Indian Horse chestnuts contain high content of starch which can be explored to be used in various applications in food industry as encapsulating agent, stabilizer, binder, thickener, gelling agents and many more. Horse chest nut is locally available and can be a boon for food industry if the inherent properties are explored. Hence, horse chest nut starch can be a better option for the replacement of conventional starches to meet the industrial demand of starch. Physicochemical, pasting, rheological, thermal and morphological properties of starch isolated from Indian Horse chestnut (HCN) were determined. Amylose content was found to be 26.10 %. Peak viscosity obtained from RVA profile was 4110 cP. Hardness, cohesiveness, adhesiveness and gumminess were determined by Texture Profile Analyser. Particle size analysis showed a typical Uni modal size distribution profile with particle distribution ranging from 7.52 to 27.44 µm. The shape of starch granules varied from round, irregular, oval, and elliptical with smooth surface. X- ray diffraction revealed that HCN starch showed a typical C-type pattern with characteristic peaks at 5.7, 15.0, 17.3 and 22.3°. The transition temperatures (To, Tp, and Tc) and enthalpy of gelatinization (ΔH) values were 53.35, 58.81, 63.57 °C and 8.76 J/g, respectively. The rheological properties were determined in terms of variation of storage modulus (G (/)), loss modulus (G (//)) and loss factor (tan δ) at different temperatures. Peak G (/), peak G (//) and peak tan δ values were observed as 10,400 Pa, 1,710 Pa, and 0.164, respectively.

Acute and chronic dose of alcohol affect the load carrying capacity of long bone in rats.

In the present investigation, the effects of acute and chronic dose of alcohol were evaluated on mechanical properties of long bones of Sprague Dawley rats. In "acute study", 18 animals were divided into three groups containing six animals each, i.e. Group A: control animals, normal saline was given to them intraperitoneally for the period of 5 days; Group B: treated animals, given 20% (v/v) absolute alcohol and Group C: treated animals, given 30% (v/v) absolute alcohol, by same route and time duration. In "chronic study", also, 18 animals were divided into three groups containing six animals each, i.e. Group A: control animals, normal saline was given to them intraperitoneally for the period of 6 weeks; Group B: treated animals, given 20% (v/v) absolute alcohol and Group C: treated animals, given 30% (v/v) absolute alcohol by same route and time duration. A significant increase was observed in bone weight of animals taking 20% alcohol but there was decrease in the same for 30% alcohol in case of acute study. For chronic study, there was a decrease in bone weight for both treated groups. During acute study, breaking strength of bone was increased in case of 20% alcohol administration but a slight decrease was shown in the same for 30% alcohol group as compared to control animals. Breaking strength of long bone in the case of chronic study was decreased in case of both groups taking alcohol, i.e. 20% and 30%. The present document is useful in understanding the functional load carrying capacity of bone during alcoholism.