Multivariate analysis of structural and functional properties of soluble dietary fiber from corn bran using different modification methods.

This study comprehensively investigated the effects of high-temperature cooking (HT), complex enzyme hydrolysis (CE), and high-temperature cooking combined enzymatic hydrolysis (HE) on the chemical composition, microstructure, and functional attributes of soluble dietary fiber (SDF) extracted from corn bran. The results demonstrated that HE-SDF yielded the highest output at 13.80 ± 0.20 g/100 g, with enhancements in thermal stability, viscosity, hydration properties, adsorption capacity, and antioxidant activity. Cluster analysis revealed three distinct categories of SDF's physicochemical properties. Principal component analysis (PCA) confirmed the superior functional properties of HE-SDF. Correlation analysis showed positive relationships between the monosaccharide composition, purity, and viscosity of SDF and most of its functional attributes, whereas particle size and zeta potential were inversely correlated. Furthermore, a highly significant positive correlation was observed between crystallinity and thermal properties. These findings suggest that the HE method constitutes a viable strategy for enhancing the quality of SDF sourced from corn bran.

Hypotensive effect of potent angiotensin-I-converting enzyme inhibitory peptides from corn gluten meal hydrolysate: Gastrointestinal digestion and transepithelial transportation modifications.

The study examined the antihypertensive effect of peptides derived from pepsin-hydrolyzed corn gluten meal, namely KQLLGY and PPYPW, and their in silico gastrointestinal tract digested fragments, KQL and PPY, respectively. KQLLGY and PPYPW showed higher angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory activity and lower ACE inhibition constant (Ki) values when compared to KQL and PPY. Only KQL showed a mild antihypertensive effect in spontaneously hypertensive rats with -7.83 and - 5.71 mmHg systolic and diastolic blood pressure values, respectively, after 8 h oral administration. During passage through Caco-2 cells, KQL was further degraded to QL, which had reduced ACE inhibitory activity. In addition, molecular dynamics revealed that the QL-ACE complex was less stable compared to the KQL-ACE. This study reveals that structural transformation during peptide permeation plays a vital role in attenuating antihypertensive effect of the ACE inhibitor peptide.

Dominant strain shift in the invasive fall armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) populations in Thailand as inferred from mitochondrial COI and nuclear Tpi genes.

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a significant global pest, that exhibits 2 discernible strains, corn strain (CS) and rice strain (RS). After initial detection in the eastern hemisphere in 2016, the dominant strain was identified as RS based only on cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) mitochondrial gene from limited samples from various countries, including Thailand. This study aimed to assess strain and haplotype variation in the S. frugiperda populations in Thailand using both mitochondrial COI and nuclear triosephosphate isomerase (Tpi) genes. Analyses of COI sequences (n = 105) revealed 2 predominant haplotypes, COICSh4 (82.86%) and COIRSh1 (17.14%), and the analyses of Tpi sequences (n = 99) revealed 6 haplotypes, with TpiCa1a (53.53%) being the most prevalent. Of the 98 caterpillar samples, the majority exhibited true CS (83.67%) for both genes. Meanwhile, interstrain hybrids, indicated by gene discordance, accounted for the minority (16.33%). Interestingly, despite the initial dominance of RS during the 2018 outbreak, the current study identified CS as the prevalent strain across all localities in Thailand. These findings suggested a shift in S. frugiperda dynamics in Thailand that was possibly influenced by factors, such as competitive exclusion principle, pesticide usage in rice cultivation, and preferences for corn over rice. Our study suggests a need to reexamine the previous reports of rice-strain dominance in various countries in the eastern hemisphere after the initial invasion.

Research of real-time corn yield monitoring system with DNN-based prediction model.

The real-time monitoring of corn yield by a combine harvester is a critical data source for constructing the yield histogram, which significantly benefits precision management and decision-making in modern precision agriculture. While widely used, the current photoelectric sensor-based yield monitoring method has limitations. It detects the corn height on each scraper and calculates the yield through a geometric formula. However, it neglects the noticeable difference in the corn stacking patterns affected by factors such as feeding volume, terrain, and driving speed. This oversight often results in low accuracy and poor stability in the prediction of corn yield, highlighting the need for a more advanced approach. To resolve this, we employ EDEM discrete element simulation to demonstrate the large difference of corn stacking patterns on the scraper of the elevator corresponding to feeding volume. Then, we develop a real-time monitoring system on our self-developed double elevator testing rig for carrying out a composite dataset for training three machine learning algorithm-based models, namely Deep Neural Networks (DNN), Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM), and Random Forest (RF). Importantly, these models have undergone rigorous validation under various feeding volumes, ensuring their robustness and reliability. The auxiliary elevator speed is meticulously set at 150r/min, 225r/min, and 450r/min, providing a comprehensive performance assessment. The results denote that the DNN model performs best and is stable, with a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.998, root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.526, and mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.425. The paper also performs field experiments to test the proposed three prediction models and the system. The results also denote the DNN-based prediction model's best performance for the lowest relative error of 2.29% and the highest average accuracy of 97.85%. Consequently, the proposed real-time corn yield monitoring system achieves high accuracy and reliability for the combine harvester applications.

Multi-layer molecular analysis reveals distinctive metabolomic and transcriptomic profiles of different sweet corn varieties.

In plants, sugar metabolism involves a complex interplay of genetic, molecular and environmental factors. To better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes, we utilized a multi-layered approach that integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic datasets generated from multiple different varieties of sweet corn. Through this analysis, we found 2533 genes that were differentially expressed in the immature kernel tissues of sweet corn, including genes involved in transcriptional regulation, sugar metabolism, primary metabolism, and other processes associated with adaptability of sweet corn. We also detected 31 differential metabolites among the three types of sweet corn. Utilizing an integrated approach encompassing transcriptomics and eGWAS, we elucidated the transcriptional regulatory patterns governing these differential metabolites. Specifically, we delved into the transcriptional modulation of malate- and ubiquitin-associated genes across a range of sweet corn varieties, shedding new light on the molecular mechanisms underlying their regulation. This study provides a framework for future research aimed at improving the current understanding of sugar metabolism and regulatory gene networks in sweet corn, which could ultimately lead to the development of novel strategies for crop improvement.

Branched Short-Chain Fatty Acid-Rich Fermented Protein Food Improves the Growth and Intestinal Health by Regulating Gut Microbiota and Metabolites in Young Pigs.

The diet in early life is essential for the growth and intestinal health later in life. However, beneficial effects of a diet enriched in branched short-chain fatty acids (BSCFAs) for infants are ambiguous. This study aimed to develop a novel fermented protein food, enriched with BSCFAs and assess the effects of dry and wet ferment products on young pig development, nutrient absorption, intestinal barrier function, and gut microbiota and metabolites. A total of 18 young pigs were randomly assigned to three groups. The dry corn gluten-wheat bran mixture (DFCGW) and wet corn gluten-wheat bran mixture (WFCGW) were utilized as replacements for 10% soybean meal in the basal diet. Our results exhibited that the WFCGW diet significantly increased the growth performance of young pigs, enhanced the expression of tight junction proteins, and regulated associated cytokines expression in the colonic mucosa. Simultaneously, the WFCGW diet led to elevated levels of colonic isobutyric and isovaleric acid, as well as the activation of GPR41 and GPR109A. Furthermore, more potential probiotics including Lactobacillus, Megasphaera, and Lachnospiraceae_ND3007_group were enriched in the WFCGW group and positively associated with the beneficial metabolites such as 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid. Differential metabolite KEGG pathway analysis suggested that WFCGW might exert gut health benefits by modulating tryptophan metabolism. In addition, the WFCGW diet significantly increased ghrelin concentrations in serum and hypothalamus and promoted the appetite of young pigs by activating hypothalamic NPY/AGRP neurons. This study extends the knowledge of BSCFAs and provides a reference for the fermented food application in the infant diet.

Mycotoxin contamination and the nutritional content of corn targeted for animal feed.

Mycotoxin contaminated corn poses a risk to poultry production. Although mycotoxin regulatory guidelines are based on the hazards of individual mycotoxin contamination, feed and feed ingredients may be contaminated with multiple mycotoxins. The objective of this study was to assess mycotoxin co-contamination and its impact on the nutrient content of corn grain. Corn samples (n = 328) originating from various regions in the Southeastern U.S. were quantitatively analyzed for fumonisin (FUM), deoxynivalenol (DON), aflatoxin (AFB1) and zearalenone (ZEA) by HPLC-MS/MS. Nutritional content was analyzed by near-infrared spectroscopy, and color data were collected. All 328 samples were found to be contaminated with at least 1 mycotoxin: 100% contained FUM (19-24,680 µg/kg), 69.82% contained DON (0-9,640 µg/kg), 17.07% contained AFB1 (0-939 µg/kg), and 43.60% had detectable levels of ZEA (0-8,093.5 µg/kg). Most of the samples were contaminated with 2 or more mycotoxins, with only 18.29% of the samples containing a single mycotoxin. 38.41% of the samples had 2 mycotoxins present, 36.59 % had 3 mycotoxins, and 4.88% of the samples had all 4 tested mycotoxins present. Samples contaminated with AFB1 had significantly lower fat (P = 0.007) and lightness (P = 0.007); samples contaminated with DON had significantly higher starch (P < 0.001) and lower protein (P < 0.001). Samples contaminated with FUM had significantly higher protein (P = 0.008) and moisture (P = 0.019) and lower starch (P < 0.001). ZEA contaminated samples had significantly lower starch (P = 0.034). A correlation was observed between mycotoxin contamination and altered nutrient content in corn. This study provides further evidence that co-contamination of mycotoxins is the norm in corn, and that mycotoxin contamination correlates with impacts on the nutrient profile of feed corn.

Effects of fermented and unfermented aging corn on ruminal fermentation, bacterial communities, lactation performance and plasma metabolites in Holstein cows.

Aging reduces the nutritional value of corn grain, which may be improved by fermentation prior to use. This study investigated the effects of replacing conventional corn (CC) with aging corn (AC) and fermented aging corn (FAC) in the diets of lactating Holstein cows. Six healthy third-parity Holstein cows were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square experiment with 21-day periods. Cows were fed twice and milked twice daily. The cows were randomly divided into three treatment groups: (1) CC diet: a diet with 23.6% starch in diet DM containing 24.0% conventional corn; (2) AC diet: a diet with 23.5% starch in diet DM containing 24.0% aging corn replacing conventional corn; and (3) FAC diet: a diet with 23.2% starch in diet DM containing 24.6% fermented aging corn replacing conventional corn. The diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and contained identical roughage. The FAC treatment increased the starch digestibility compared with AC. Feeding FAC increased the concentrations of total volatile fatty acid compared with CC and AC and decreased the molar proportion of acetate compared with AC. At the family level, the relative abundance of Prevotellaceae was higher on FAC than CC. The relative abundance of Succinivibrionaceae was lower on FAC than on CC and AC. Besides, at the genera level, the relative abundance of Succinivibrionaceae_UCG_002 in the rumen was higher on AC than CC and FAC. The relative abundance of Prevotella and Ruminococcus was higher on FAC than CC and AC. The relative abundance of Succinivibrionaceae_UCG_001 was lower on FAC than CC. The Simpson index was lower on FAC than CC and AC. The FAC treatment increased the milk yield (34.0, 33.7, and 35.2 kg/d for CC, AC, and FAC group, respectively) and protein yield, and thus, energy-corrected milk production was increased, and at the same time, decreased the somatic cell score compared with CC and AC. The AC treatment increased the malondialdehyde concentration in plasma compared with CC and FAC. The concentrations in plasma of triglyceride and malondialdehyde were lower on FAC than AC. The immunoglobulin G concentration in plasma was higher on FAC than CC and AC. Overall, feeding AC resulted in decreased plasma antioxidant capacity compared with CC, whereas feeding FAC altered the relative abundance of bacteria in the rumen and improved starch digestibility, ruminal bacterial diversity, lactation performance, plasma antioxidant capacity and immune competence compared with AC in dairy cows.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the association of all types of beverages high in fructose with asthma in children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Asthma has become the most common chronic condition among children in recent decades. Environmental factors, including food, drive its rise. Sweetened beverages are a staple of children's diets and cause various health issues. Therefore, this research aims to evaluate the association of all types of high fructose beverages with asthma in children. METHOD: We assessed observational studies published before November 2023, obtained from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The quality of articles was assessed by using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Studies with a pediatric population under 18 years that indicate the association between all kinds of beverages containing high fructose and asthma and evaluated risk estimates with 95% confidence intervals were included. We also followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA). RESULTS: In the final analysis, we included eleven studies with 164,118 individuals. Twenty-one effect sizes indicated a significant positive association between sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) consumption and odds of asthma (OR: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.15-1.42; Pvalue < 0.001). Three effect sizes showed that total excess free fructose (tEFF) intake increases children's asthma odds by 2.7 times (pooled OR: 2.73; 95% CI: 1.30-5.73; Pvalue =0.008). However, five effect sizes in 100% fruit juice failed to show statically association with asthma prevalence in children (pooled OR: 1.43; 95%CI: 0.91-2.23; Pvalue =0.12). CONCLUSION: In summary, SSB and tEFF raised asthma probabilities. No relationship was found between fruit juice and asthma in children and adolescents. We need more cohort studies with correct age selection to identify the precise link.

Study of the effect of bleaching agents on the crystalline index of cellulose-based materials derived from corn husk by CP/MAS 13C NMR and FT-IR spectroscopies.

This work proposes an evaluation of the Crystalline Index (CrI) in function of the bleaching process employed during cellulose extraction from corn husk, for further characterization using CP/MAS 13C NMR, XRD, and FT-IR. In that sense, CrI values were calculated by FT-IR and the bands associated with the crystalline and amorphous regions were observed at 1424 cm-1 and 896 cm-1, respectively. Similarly, the signals due to ordered (89.1 ppm) and disordered (84.2 ppm) cellulose chains were detected by solid-state 13C NMR, while the Segal equation was only used for comparison purposes. Additionally, PCA studies showed consistent results attributed to the crystalline region in cellulose domains analyzed by both, FT-IR and solid-state 13C NMR. The results revealed the coexistence of cellulose I/cellulose II and its effect on CrI, as well as the incomplete mercerization process, in some cases non-cellulosic residues can cause an overestimation of CrI. Additionally, the thermal stability and the glass transition temperature were determined by TGA/DTA and DSC analyses. Finally, a partially fibrillated-network morphology with a diameter of 20.47 ± 2.77 µm was observed in cellulose bleached with peracetic acid, whereas organosolv method provides flexible and clean microfibrils with diameter sizes between 10 and 9 µm.

Mechanistic study on the effect of hydroxypropyl corn starch, guar gum and compound phosphates on the freeze-thaw quality of quick-frozen kuey teow.

Kuey teow is one of the delicacies of Guangdong, China and is a gluten-free noodle dish made from rice. It has a short storage period and extending the shelf life by quick freezing induces quality deterioration due to temperature fluctuations. To improve its freeze-thaw frozen storage quality, this paper examined the effects of hydroxypropyl corn starch (HCS), guar gum (GG), and compound phosphates (CP) on the quality of quick-frozen kuey teow during freeze-thaw cycles. The mechanism was investigated by identifying changes in the moisture status, aging degree of the starch, and textural and cooking characteristics. The results showed that all three additions improved the toughness, chewiness and steaming characteristics of the kuey teow, with CP significantly enhancing chewiness. XRD and FTIR results revealed that GG more significantly inhibited the decrease of starch crystallinity, while HCS inhibited starch aging. GG, HCS and CP all improved the hydration characteristics and water holding capacity of rice starch. GG enhances the ability of starch to bind more tightly with water, resulting in a more uniform water distribution and a more continuous and tight structure of the kuey teow. This study will provide a theoretical basis for compounding and optimizing the quick-freezing of kuey teow.

GO promotes detoxification of nicosulfuron in sweet corn by enhancing photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and antioxidant enzyme activity.

Although graphene oxide (GO) has extensive recognized application prospects in slow-release fertilizer, plant pest control, and plant growth regulation, the incorporation of GO into nano herbicides is still in its early stages of development. This study selected a pair of sweet corn sister lines, nicosulfuron (NIF)-resistant HK301 and NIF-sensitive HK320, and sprayed them both with 80 mg kg-1 of GO-NIF, with clean water as a control, to study the effect of GO-NIF on sweet corn seedling growth, photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence, and antioxidant system enzyme activity. Compared to spraying water and GO alone, spraying GO-NIF was able to effectively reduce the toxic effect of NIF on sweet corn seedlings. Compared with NIF treatment, 10 days after of spraying GO-NIF, the net photosynthetic rate (A), stomatal conductance (Gs), transpiration rate (E), photosystem II photochemical maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm), photochemical quenching coefficient (qP), and photosynthetic electron transfer rate (ETR) of GO-NIF treatment were significantly increased by 328.31%, 132.44%, 574.39%, 73.53%, 152.41%, and 140.72%, respectively, compared to HK320. Compared to the imbalance of redox reactions continuously induced by NIF in HK320, GO-NIF effectively alleviated the observed oxidative pressure. Furthermore, compared to NIF treatment alone, GO-NIF treatment effectively increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), guaiacol peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in both lines, indicating GO induced resistance to the damage caused by NIF to sweet corn seedlings. This study will provides an empirical basis for understanding the detoxification promoting effect of GO in NIF and analyzing the mechanism of GO induced allogeneic detoxification in cells.

Effect of Sourdough-Yeast Co-Fermentation on Physicochemical Properties of Corn Fagao Batter.

Fagao is one of China's traditional gluten-free staple foods made with rice or corn flour. Corn Fagao prepared by co-fermentation with sourdough and yeast exhibits better quality and less staling compared to traditional yeast-fermented Fagao. The physicochemical properties of corn Fagao batter during sourdough-yeast co-fermentation were investigated. The results showed that compared with yeast fermentation, the gas production and viscosity of the batter increased with co-fermentation. The co-fermented batter showed a higher hydrolysis of starch and less amylose content. The integrity of starch granules in the co-fermented batter was damaged more seriously, and the crystallinity and short-range ordered structure were less than in the yeast-fermented batter, even though the crystal structure type of starch did not obviously change. The peak viscosity, minimum viscosity, final viscosity, decay value, and recovery value of the corn batter were reduced by co-fermentation, which improved the thermal stability of the batter and slowed down the aging. Co-fermentation also resulted in a more pronounced reduction in protein subunit content than yeast fermentation. The changes in the physicochemical properties of the corn Fagao batter help explain the improvement in quality of corn Fagao made from the co-fermentation method and may provide theoretical references for co-fermentation with sourdough and yeast to other gluten-free foods.

Comparing Current and Future Land Suitability for Growing Rainfed Corn (Zea mays) in Georgia, USA.

Land suitability (LS) classifications are essential for efficient and sustainable agricultural land use. With climate change, future LS classifications are necessary to ensure that crop growth remains sustainable and prevents land degradation. This study develops a current LS classification for rainfed corn (Zea mays) growth in the state of Georgia, USA, which is validated using historical census data on yield, acres planted, and corn crop lost. Significant (p < 0.05) differences were found between yield, acres planted, and crop loss percentage across LS classes for many years. Soil factors (Ph and soil texture) showed significant differences in fewer years compared to climate and topography factors, as soil factors can be altered by management practices such as liming and irrigation. Future LS classes determined by climate factors indicated a shift to the northwest of 150-300 km by the year 2100 based on the RCP4.5 or RCP8.5 emissions scenarios. The northwards shift in more suitable land due to rising maximum temperatures is expected to limit rainfed corn growth in Georgia in the future. As urban areas become more suitable for corn growth, farmers may need to plant crops earlier, irrigate, or switch to different crops. These results have important implications for agricultural planning and policy in the state of Georgia.

Dynamic borate ester bond reinforced hydroxyethyl cellulose/corn starch crosslinked film for simple recycling and regeneration.

Endowing biodegradable plastics with easy recyclability can reduce competition with food resources and further enhance their environmental friendliness. In this work, 4-carboxyphenylboronic acid was grafted onto the side chains of hydroxyethyl cellulose and compounded with inexpensive cornstarch. Upon the introduction of tannic acid, stable and reversible borate ester bond rapidly formed, yielding composite biodegradable plastic films with outstanding mechanical properties and facile recyclability. The formation of a dynamic cross-linked network mitigates the aggregation of gelatinized starch molecules, enhancing the flexibility and durability of the crosslinked film. Testing revealed that while maintaining high tensile strength, the elongation at break of the crosslinked film increased by 952.86 %. The static water contact angle was improved from 32.74° to 78.82°, with a change of <5° within 1 min, demonstrating enhanced water resistance. Excellent antioxidant and thermal stability were also characterized, the crosslinked film can be easily dissolved by heating in water at pH = 6.5 and reshaped in water at pH = 7.2. After five times of regeneration, the tensile strength loss was as low as 5.68 %. This eco-friendly and efficient recycling process is promising during green chemistry.

Dietary supplementation of valine, isoleucine, and tryptophan may overcome the negative effects of excess leucine in diets for weanling pigs containing corn fermented protein.

BACKGROUND: Diets with high inclusion of corn co-products such as corn fermented protein (CFP) may contain excess Leu, which has a negative impact on feed intake and growth performance of pigs due to increased catabolism of Val and Ile and reduced availability of Trp in the brain for serotonin synthesis. However, we hypothesized that the negative effect of using CFP in diets for weanling pigs may be overcome if diets are fortified with crystalline sources of Val, Trp, and (or) Ile. METHODS: Three hundred and twenty weanling pigs were randomly allotted to one of 10 dietary treatments in a completely randomized design, with 4 pigs per pen and 8 replicate pens per treatment. A corn-soybean meal diet and 2 basal diets based on corn and 10% CFP or corn and 20% CFP were formulated. Seven additional diets were formulated by fortifying the basal diet with 20% CFP with Ile, Trp, Val, Ile and Val, Ile and Trp, Trp and Val, or Ile, Trp and Val. A two-phase feeding program was used, with d 1 to 14 being phase 1 and d 15 to 28 being phase 2. Fecal scores were recorded every other day. Blood samples were collected on d 14 and 28 from one pig per pen. On d 14, fecal samples were collected from one pig per pen in 3 of the 10 treatments to determine volatile fatty acids, ammonium concentration, and microbial protein. These pigs were also euthanized and ileal tissue was collected. RESULTS: There were no effects of dietary treatments on any of the parameters evaluated in phase 1. Inclusion of 10% or 20% CFP in diets reduced (P < 0.05) final body weight on d 28, and average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) in phase 2 and for the entire experimental period. However, pigs fed the CFP diet supplemented with Val, Ile, and Trp had final body weight, ADFI, ADG and gain to feed ratio in phase 2 and for the entire experiment that was not different from pigs fed the control diet. Fecal scores in phase 2 were reduced (P < 0.05) if CFP was used. CONCLUSIONS: Corn fermented protein may be included by up to 20% in diets for weanling pigs without affecting growth performance, gut health, or hindgut fermentation, if diets are fortified with extra Val, Trp, and Ile. Inclusion of CFP also improved fecal consistency of pigs.

Assessment of the impact of cold plasma technology on physicochemical properties of corn starch flour and the associated modified corn starch incorporated into milk dessert.

The utilization of cold plasma can be used as an alternative method to modify the properties of starch. This research aimed to examine the use of cold plasma technology to alter the structure of corn starch and investigate how its functionality could be improved using a food model (milk dessert). Modified corn starch by plasma technology under different gas contents (dielectric-barrier discharge (DBD)) (95 % argon+5 % hydrogen (DBD1) and 90 % argon+10 % oxygen (DBD2)) was compared to the control sample of corn starch. The physicochemical characteristics of modified corn starch, DSC, XRD, SEM and FTIR tests were evaluated. The findings demonstrated that corn starch had significantly higher solubility, transparency, ash, oil absorption capacity (OAC), and resistant starch (RS) when exposed to cold plasma under the test circumstances compared to the control sample. SEM analysis confirmed that plasma affected the surface of starch granules, making the surface changes more pronounced when oxygen was added to the treatment. It was concluded that the sample should be treated with plasma containing 90 % argon and 10 % oxygen (as the best sample). The best sample (modified corn starch) was used to prepare a milk dessert as a food model, and considerable differences were found between the modified starch treated sample and control samples in terms of moisture, brix, syneresis, and organoleptic properties (p < 0.05).

Spatial exposure and oxidative accumulation of reactive hydroxyl groups in starch retrogradation through transglucosidase and hexose oxidase.

To investigate the potential of inhibiting starch retrogradation by modifying the functional groups of starch, transglucosidase (TG) was used to facilitate active hydroxyl groups to be exposed through increasing branching degree. Subsequently, hexose oxidase (HOX) advantageously promoted the oxidation of starch chains and increased spatial repulsion of starch backbone. The Fukui Function revealed that the oxygen atoms at the C3 and C4 positions on glucose units had a higher oxidation tendency. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis confirmed that the reactive hydroxyl groups underwent an oxidation process with increasing HOX treatment time. From the crystal structure parameters, the c-axis of native corn starch modified by TG for 16 h and HOX for 48 h (or TGHOX-48) was shortened from 16.92 to 16.32 Å and in the long-term retrogradation, TGHOX-48 exhibited the lowest starch retrogradation rate (0.22).

Self-ignition behaviour of corn cob, wheat bran and rice husk residues in ambient air from biomass gasification.

The possibility of different agrowastes to self-ignite under ambient condition, due to exothermic reactions between their surface molecules and air or other oxidizing agents which are conveyed into the void volume between the particles, exists. It is imperative to investigate the self-ignition ability of these harzadous waste products causing environmental pollution after the milling process to avoid sudden fire outbreaks. In this study, the self-ignition attributes of corn cob, wheat bran and rice husk residues in ambient air from biomass gasification was investigated by evaluating their self-ignition temperatures using DIN EN 15188:2021 standard and Frank-Kamenetzkii's theory of thermal explosion at varying basket volume. The results revealed decrease in the ignition temperature of dust samples as ignition time and dust basket volume were increased. Sample C (rice husk dust residue) was considered to be the most hazardous with respect to its propensity to self-heating possessing the lowest self-ignition temperature of 173 °C at 800 mL cubic mesh. Its moisture content and activation energy of 1.41 % and 46.52 kJ/mol respectively were the lowest. Its thermal conductivity, carbon content, heating value and bulk density of 0.07 W/mK, 78.98 wt%, 26,895 kJ/kg and 255.4 kg/m3 respectively were the highest. Correlation coefficient from the Arrhenius plot showing the self-ignition behaviour of dust samples using the model of Frank-Kamenetzkii were 0.9976, 0.9910 and 0.9962 for corn cob, wheat bran and rice husk residues respectively. In conclusion, the data presented are effective in predicting the self-ignition ability of corn cob, wheat bran and rice husk residues in ambient air from biomass gasification in order to prevent sudden fire attack that may arise based on storage of their dust particles in food processing industries.

Effect of different blanching methods on kinetics of physico-chemical, functional properties, and enzyme inactivation in baby corn.

Baby corn, characterized by its high water activity and elevated respiration rate, poses a formidable obstacle to prolonged storage under standard ambient conditions and necessitates specialized treatments for transportation to distant locations. One of the primary postharvest challenges associated with baby corn is the occurrence of brown pigment formation because of enzymatic browning at the apex of its immature ovules, cut surfaces, and silk attached to the young ears. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of different blanching treatments on peroxidase inactivation, physicochemical properties, and functional properties of baby corn. The treatments applied were hot water blanching (HWB) at temperatures ranging from 70°C to 90 °C for 30-240 s, steam blanching (SB) for 30-240 s, and microwave blanching (MWB) at power levels of 360 W-900 W for 30-300 s. Results indicated that 90 % peroxidase enzyme inactivation occurred under different methods as 90 °C for 60 s for HWB, 100 °C for 60 s for SB, and 540 W for 30 s for MWB. These blanching methods have shown significant effects on the properties under investigation. MWB demonstrated the highest retention of ascorbic acid (94.15 %) and minimal color changes (ΔE = 5.72) in comparison to hot water and steam blanching. Similarly, the result for total flavonoid content for 540 W, 90 °C and 100 °C for 30, 60, and 60 s were found to be 3.01,1.99 and 2.10 mg QE/100g, phenols 48.98, 47.99 and 48.03 mg GAE/100g and DPPH (%) 42.55, 34.20 and 37.08 % respectively. The findings suggest that microwave blanching of baby corn at 540 W for 30 s holds promise to inactivate the peroxidase enzyme with better retention of physicochemical and functional properties.