Lilia S. Collado

Properties of Starch Noodles as Affected by Sweetpotato Genotype

ABSTRACT Starch was extracted from 14 sweetpotato genotypes from the Philippines. The Rapid Visco-Analyzer (RVA) viscoamylographs of the starches showed Type A pasting curves, characterized by a high pasting peak followed by a high degree of shear-thinning. The major difference among genotypes was in the sharpness of the peak, with some showing a very sharp peak while others showed a broad peak. This difference was related to time from onset of pasting to peak viscosity, and to stability ratio (holding viscosity/peak viscosity), which were also highly correlated (r = 0.84, P < 0.01) to each other. Stability ratio was also correlated to noodle firmness (r = 0.95, P < 0.01), rehydration (cooked weight) (r = -0.89, P < 0.01), and swelling volume of the starch (r = -0.62, P < 0.05). The amylose content was correlated significantly only to peak viscosity (r = -0.84, P < 0.01). Significant differences in texture and cooking quality of the starch noodles produced from the different genotypes was found. It was sh...

Genetic Variation in Color of Sweetpotato Flour Related to Its Use in Wheat-Based Composite Flour Products

ABSTRACT Sweetpotato flours vary widely in color depending on genotype, and when used in wheat-based composite flours, they will impart characteristic colors which may be favorable or unfavorable for particular food products. Sweetpotato flour (SPF) was prepared from 44 genotypes and analyzed for proximate composition and biochemical properties. The Hunter Color L*, a*, b* values of the dry SPF and their modified Pekar slicks (PS) with water and with alkali were measured. Polyphenol oxidase activity, α-amylase activity, and total sugar were significantly correlated to L* values of dry SPF and of their PS tests with water and with alkali. The yellow pigment level was significantly correlated to the yellowness (b*) of the dry flour and of the PS test with water, but less correlated to b* of the PS test with alkaline. The results indicated a complex biochemical basis to SPF color, and no single biochemical factor examined was adequate to predict the color of a food product made from SPF. However, the PS colo...

Effect of parboiling on the formation of resistant starch, digestibility and functional properties of rice flour from different varieties grown in Sri Lanka

BACKGROUND Hydrothermal treatment used in parboiling could induce formation of novel starch properties having potential food applications. In the current work, functional, digestible and retrogradation properties of flour from non-parboiled and steamed parboiled six rice varieties with high amylose content of around 30% but differing in length and width ratio were investigated and compared. RESULTS The parboiling process reduced swelling volume and amylose leaching in all tested varieties. Among the varieties studied, the resistant starch content ranged from 1.6% in AT 306 to 0.46% in BG 357. Parboiling reduced the resistant starch content in AT 306 by about 50%, but it did not significantly affect the resistant starch content of the other varieties. The amylose-lipid complex remained unchanged after parboiling. Amylopectin retrogradation was not observed in parboiled rice. Amylose retrogradation was not seen except for AT 306. Pasting behaviour of parboiled rice flours showed high pasting stability and low setback. Flours were more susceptible to enzymatic hydrolysis after parboiling. Partial gelatinisation during parboiling was sufficient to produce grains with excellent milling quality showing a head rice recovery that ranged from 98% to 100% among the varieties studied. CONCLUSION Degree of gelatinisation is the most important factor that determines the high head rice recovery. High pasting stability and low setback of flour of parboiled rice indicate some potential food applications.

Pasting properties of commercial and experimental starch pearls

Commercial starch pearls manufactured from sago, tapioca, sweet potato or other starches from Hong Kong, the Philippines and Singapore were characterized. Samples were milled and pasting properties were evaluated. There were marked differences in pasting characteristics which were attributed to the pH of the starch pearls. The milled alkaline starch pearls showed high cold paste viscosities and setback ratios while the acidic milled starch had low cold paste viscosities and setback ratios. Furthermore, in alkaline milled starch, the addition of sugar drastically lowered the setback ratios while the setback ratios of the milled acidic starches were minimally affected. From the laboratory preparation of starch pearls from commercial tuber starches (potato and cassava), it appeared that the process of pearling effected a mild starch modification which increased the stability ratio of the milled starch pearl compared to the unprocessed starch.

Adhesion, Cohesion, and Friction Estimated from Combining Cutting and Peeling Test Results for Thin Noodle Sheets

The aim of this study was to estimate the adhesive and cohesive fracture energies, and frictional characteristics of 7 types of cooked starch and flour sheets and combine these into a model framework for textural analysis. Cutting tests with wires of diameter 0.30 to 0.89 mm were performed with and without lubrication. Plots of the work done, normalized to the area cut by the wire, showed that this to be linearly related to wire diameter irrespective of lubrication. The oil had little impact on the intercept of these plots, giving cohesive fracture energy (Gc ) ranges for these foods between 6.8 and 32.5 J/m(2) . However, lubrication had a strong influence on the slope of the plots. From a comparison of the slopes for lubricated versus unlubricated tests, the kinetic coefficient of friction μkcould be calculated. Values for μk between 0.007 and 0.521 for different foods were obtained. Peeling tests were performed by lifting sheets vertically away from a fresh mica surface. The adhesive fracture energy Ga , varied from 2.5 to 4.8 J/m(2) . The results can be modeled by plotting the ratio of cohesive to adhesive fracture energy against the coefficient of friction. Thresholds in both axes suggest a physical basis for distinguishing textural perceptions. However, sensory testing with 12 subjects using the 7 food types could not establish whether this framework, however well-established physically, would apply to oral sensations. A much larger test would be required.