Effect of highland barley treated with heat-moisture on interactions between gluten and starch granules in dough.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of heat-moisture treatment (HMT)-modified highland barley (HB) on interactions between gluten and starch granules in dough. The results demonstrated that HB addition increased the water absorption, weakened the extensibility, increased the storage modulus (G') and loss modulus (G″), decreased tan δ (G"/G') of dough. The textural and stress relaxation results showed that HB increased the hardness and elastic modulus (E2) of the dough, requiring more stress to compress the dough. Also, the increase in sulfhydryl and surface hydrophobicity all confirmed the addition of HB induced the deterioration of gluten network structure. Furthermore, HMT-HB improved farinograph quality number of flour, decreased tan δ of dough compared with HB. The E2, coefficient of viscosity (η) and hardness increased, while the relaxation time (τ) decreased with increasing HMT strength of HB, suggesting the formation of a tighter dough structure. The secondary structure and microstructure analyses revealed that the HMT could reduce the damage of HB to dough quality. These results indicated that HMT had the potential to enhance the interaction between starch and protein, leading to a denser dough matrix. This study facilitates the basic theory for the comprehensive utilization of HB in the food industry.

Effect of heat treatment on conformation and aggregation properties of wheat bran dietary fiber-gluten protein.

To understand the heat mediated cross-linking mechanism of gluten in the presence of wheat bran dietary fiber (WBDF), the effect of heat treatment on conformation and aggregation properties of wheat bran dietary fiber-gluten protein was comparatively investigated in this study. The results showed G' and G" increased after adding WBDF, then decreased after heating. The SE-HPLC, chemical interaction and surface hydrophobicity analysis revealed the WBDF participated in the rearrangement of intermolecular interactions and induced depolymerization behavior behavior of gluten via disulfide and non-covalent bonds at low temperatures (25 °C and 60 °C), but heating (at 95 °C) promoted these interactions via disulfide bonds. Besides, changes in the secondary structure of gluten protein induced by WBDF during heating were correlated with the steric hindrance and hydroxyl groups on WBDF. These results suggested that WBDF impeded the cross-linking and aggregation of gluten through the rearrangement of chemical bonds and physical entanglements, then this effect was weakened at high temperatures, most likely by improving the disulfide bonds among gluten proteins. This study consummates the understanding of the cross-linking mechanisms of gluten with WBDF during heating, and provides the theoretical basis for improving the quality and acceptability of whole wheat-based products.

Effect of synergistic fermentation of Lactobacillus plantarum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae on thermal properties of wheat bran dietary fiber-wheat starch system.

A synergistic fermentation system was constructed using single strains of Lactobacillus plantarum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae cultured separately; wheat starches containing different wheat bran dietary fiber (WBDF) levels (0, 3, 6, 9 & 12%) were fermented in this system. The thermal properties of materials were measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and rapid viscosity analysis (RVA). The results showed that WBDF may alter the thermal behavior of starch by forming hydrogen bonds with the leached starch chains and limit the available water of starch. The viscosity properties (peak, trough, and final viscosity) and setback decreased, and they were negatively correlated with the WBDF levels. In addition, dynamic rheological measurements showed that the addition of WBDF significantly enhanced the elasticity of fermented starch gels while slightly improving the mechanical strength, and 6% level of WBDF had the largest contribution. This study provides some data for the production of high dietary fiber fermented flour products, both common and gluten-free.

Effect of wheat bran dietary fiber on structural properties of wheat starch after synergistic fermentation of Lactobacillus plantarum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

This study investigated the changes in the structure of wheat starch after synergistic fermentation of Lactobacillus plantarum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae at different wheat bran dietary fiber (WBDF) levels. The results showed that WBDF was slightly resistant to the decrease in acidity within the fermentation system. The amylose content decreased from 32.12% to 19.92% (P < 0.05), amylose/amylopectin ratio decreased from 0.47 to 0.25 (P < 0.05), and relative crystallinity decreased from 12.17% to 9.40% (P < 0.05) in the samples containing WBDF compared with the control. Scanning electron microscopy showed more eroded starch as the WBDF level increased. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy revealed a decrease in the starch-hydrogen binding absorbance in the 3600-3000 cm-1 wavemumber; and the 1047/1022 and 995/1022 cm-1 data indicated an increase in the degree of order and degree of double helix of the samples containing WBDF. The results of the study might help understand the interaction between dietary fibers and starch during fermentation and guide the production of fermented high-fiber flour products.

Effects of thermal properties and behavior of wheat starch and gluten on their interaction: A review.

Starch and gluten, the most important macromolecules in wheat flour, vary in thermal properties. The thermal behavior of starch, gluten and their complexes during the manufacture and quality control of flour products need to be accurately understood. However, the high complexity of starch-gluten systems impedes the accurate description of their interactions. When heated within varying temperature ranges and when water molecules are involved, the behaviors of amylose and amylopectin change, and the properties of the starch are modified. Moreover, important indicators of starch granules such as gelatinization temperature, peak viscosity, and so on, which are encapsulated by the gluten matrix, are altered. Meanwhile, the high-temperature environment induces the opening of the intrachain disulfide bonds of gliadin, leading to an increase in the probability of interchain disulfide bond formation in the gluten network system. These behaviors are notable and may provide insights into this complex interaction. In this review, the relationship between the thermal behavior of wheat starch and gluten and the quality of flour products is analyzed. Several methods used to investigate the thermal characteristics of wheat and its flour products are summarized, and some thermal interaction models of starch and gluten are proposed.

Expression and biochemical characterization of a novel type I pullulanase from Bacillus megaterium.

OBJECTIVES: To identify novel pullulanases from microorganisms and to investigate their biochemical characterizations. RESULTS: A novel pullulanase gene (BmPul) from Bacillus megaterium WW1210 was cloned and heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli. The gene has an ORF of 2814 bp encoding 937 amino acids. The recombinant pullulanase (BmPul) was purified to homogeneity and biochemically characterized. BmPul has an MW of approx. 112 kDa as indicated by SDS-PAGE. Optimum conditions were at 55 °C and pH 6.5. The enzyme was stable below 40 °C and from pH 6.5-8.5. The Km values of BmPul towards pullulan and amylopectin were 3.3 and 3.6 mg/ml, respectively. BmPul hydrolyzed pullulan to yield mainly maltotriose, indicating that it should be a type I pullulanase. CONCLUSIONS: A novel type I pullulanase from Bacillus megaterium was identified, heterologously expressed and biochemically characterized. Its properties makes this enzyme as a good candidate for the food industry.

Effect of mechanically damaged starch from wheat flour on the quality of frozen dough and steamed bread.

The influence of damaged starch (DS) on the quality of frozen dough and steamed bread were investigated. Characterization of the farinographical properties showed that DS levels affected water absorption, development, weakness, falling number and gluten index. Flour viscosity profiles indicated that pasting temperatures increased, but peak viscosity, low viscosity, breakdown, final viscosity and setback increased and then decreased with increasing amounts of DS. Compared to leavened dough, unleavened dough had significantly higher peak times, of T21 and T22, and was also affected by DS concentration. Steamed bread had a higher specific volume, relatively lower hardness, exhibited more whiteness, and a higher degree of gumminess and chewiness with higher DS levels. We compared two methods of making steamed bread and assessed the quality of the product. We found that an appropriate DS content improved the quality of frozen dough and steamed bread. This study provides the basis for future development and improvements to methods for making frozen dough products.

Extraction, characterization and spontaneous emulsifying properties of pectin from sugar beet pulp.

The effects of organic acid extractants on the yield and characteristics of pectin from sugar beet pulp were investigated with citric acid, malic acid and lactic acid at different pH (1.5 and 2.0) and time (1 h and 2 h). The results demonstrated that the yields of pectins were directly correlated with the decrease of pH and reaction time, and the optimum yield of 17.2% was obtained at pH 1.5 and 2 h. Furthermore, the acid type also affected the physicochemical characteristics of pectin, especially on the esterification degree (42-71), galacturonic acid content (60.2-77.8%), emulsion activity (35.2-40.1%) and emulsion stability (62.1-79.4%), and a relatively single pectin mainly consisted of homogalacturonan could be obtained under a suitable reaction condition, which was an excellent crude material for the production of emulsion activity.