Exploring modified rice flour and supplementation approach to enhance resistant starch content: Visco thermal and structural characterization.

Supplementation of rice flour with Apple Pomace Powder (APP) and Synthetic Vinegar (SV) was investigated to reduce the glycemic potential of ready-to-eat snacks using extrusion cooking. The aim of the study was to compare the increase in resistant starch and decrease in glycemic index of modified rice flour based extrudates after supplementing the Modified rice flour with synthetic vinegar and apple pomace. The effects of independent variables-SV (3-6.5 %) and APP (2-23 %) were evaluated on resistant starch, predicted glycemic index, glycemic load, L*, a*, b*, ΔE and overall acceptability of supplemented extrudates. Design expert predicted 6 % SV and 10 % APP as desirable conditions for enhancement of resistant starch and reduction of glycemic index. Resistant Starch (RS) of supplemented extrudates increased by 88 % while as pGI and GL was decreased by 12 % and 66 % respectively as compared to un-supplemented extrudates. L* value increased from 39.11 to 46.78, a* value increased from 11.85 to 22.55, b* value increased from 10.10 to 26.22 and Δ E increased from 7.24 to 17.93 respectively in supplemented extrudates. The results suggested that apple pomace and vinegar can act in synergy to reduce the in-vitro digestibility of rice based snacks, while maintaining the sensory acceptance of the developed product. The significant (p < 0.001) decrease in the glycemic index was achieved as the supplementation level increased. The increase in RS correlates with the decrease in glycemic index and glycemic load.

Preparation of a biodegradable chitosan packaging film based on zinc oxide, calcium chloride, nano clay and poly ethylene glycol incorporated with thyme oil for shelf-life prolongation of sweet cherry.

This study includes development of chitosan-based films with incorporated essential thyme oil and different combinations of cross-linkers viz., ZnO, CaCl2, NC, and PEG for the safe storage of sweet cherries. The resulting films stored with sweet cherries were analyzed for different physicochemical and antimicrobial properties. Incorporation of ZnO, CaCl2, NC, and PEG in chitosan-based films maintained fruit quality by conserving higher total soluble solids, titratable acidity, and reduced weight loss. The combined ZnO + CaCl2 + NC + PEG in chitosan-based films also suppressed microbial activity. The sensorial quality of fruits stored with CH + ZnO + CaCl2 + NC + PEG treatment was also stable during storage. In conclusion, the combined CH + ZnO + CaCl2 + NC + PEG with added thyme oil application is an effective approach to maintain the postharvest quality and could be an alternative to increase the shelf life of sweet cherries, besides decreasing environmental impacts of non-biodegradable packages.