Study on alpha-amylase hydrolysis of potato amylopectin by a quartz crystal microbalance.

Potato amylopectin with phosphate groups was immobilized on a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCMD) using the attractive interaction between opposite charges, and enzymatic starch hydrolysis was monitored directly. Poly( L-lysine) (PLL) proved to be an appropriate cationic linker between the QCMD silica sensor and potato amylopectin. Increased mass and dissipation were observed when amylopectin was adsorbed onto the PLL layer and reversed when alpha-amylase was added. The effect of chitosan with cationic property on the hydrolysis of amylopectin was studied. Chitosan was observed to be adsorbed onto the amylopectin surface and to suppress hydrolysis by alpha-amylase. The formation of alternating layers of amylopectin and chitosan was monitored by QCMD. Amylopectin-chitosan trilayers increased resistance to digestion by alpha-amylase compared to one layer and to control without chitosan.

Deposition of pectin/poly-L-lysine multilayers with pectins of varying degrees of esterification.

The effect of pectin esterification on the assembly of multilayers consisting of poly-L-lysine (PLL) and pectin was studied using surface plasmon resonance (SPR), Fourier transform infrared-attenuated total reflection spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR), and a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCMD). With each layer deposited, there was a progressive increase in mass. The net charge of the multilayers was positive and increased with increasing degree of esterification of the pectin. Multilayer fabrication involved a limited fractionation of the pectin preparations, with the more highly esterified pectins having a weaker affinity for PLL. The multilayers were relatively hydrated structures with estimates of solids content in the range 10-32% w/w. The more highly esterified pectins had a tendency to form more hydrated structures, which showed a strong deswelling when PLL was added to a freshly deposited pectin layer.

Characterization of starch from tubers of yam bean (Pachyrhizus ahipa).

Detailed studies of the starch present in tubers of six accessions of Pachyrhizus ahipa (ahipa) have been carried out using starches from tubers of P. erosus (Mexican yam bean) and seeds of ahipa and wheat for comparison. Starch accounted for 56-58% of the tuber dry weight with granules occurring in a range of geometric forms and in sizes from below 5 microm to about 35 microm (mean about 10 microm in all accessions except two). The amylose content ranged from 11.6 to 16.8% compared with 16.9% in P. erosus tubers and over 23% in the seed starches. X- ray diffraction analysis showed A-type or C(A)-type diffraction patterns. The chain-length distribution of the amylopectin after enzyme debranching showed a peak at DP11 similar to that of wheat starch, but had a less marked shoulder at DP 21-22 and contained a higher proportion of longer chains. Differential scanning calorimitry showed an endothermic peak corresponding to gelatinization with T(max) ranging from 59 to 63 degrees C, which was similar to the T(max) of wheat (about 64 degrees C). The composition of the ahipa starch may mean that it is suitable for food applications that require low amylose content and low retrogradation after processing.