Patricia Isabel Torres-Chávez

Physiochemical changes of starch during maize tortilla production

The physiochemical changes of starch in maize tortillas and their intermediate products commercially processed by the traditional way have been determined. Samples of maize, nixtamal, dough or masa, tortilla and nejayote (steep liquor) were analyzed. The samples were assayed for water absorption index (WAI), resistant starch (RS), X-ray diffraction patterns, viscosity and with Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Enthalpy of fusion (ΔH), initial temperature (T o ) and transition temperature (T p ) of gelatinization were obtained from DSC curves. Resistant starch contents increased as the products advanced in the process. Significant differences (p > 0.05) in the fusion enthalpy values of maize, nixtamal and masa could not be found. X-ray diffraction patterns of maize, nixtamal and masa did not show significant changes; however, when masa was transformed into tortillas there was a large loss in crystallinity. The viscoamylograph peak viscosities increased from maize to masa and decreased drastically in tortillas. The data showed that the tortilla baking stage caused the most pronounced changes in starch.

Micro- and Nanoparticles by Electrospray: Advances and Applications in Foods

Micro- and nanotechnology are tools being used strongly in the area of food technology. The electrospray technique is booming because of its importance in developing micro- and nanoparticles containing an active ingredient as bioactive compounds, enhancing molecules of flavors, odors, and packaging coatings, and developing polymers that are obtained from food (proteins, carbohydrates), as chitosan, alginate, gelatin, agar, starch, or gluten. The electrospray technique compared to conventional techniques such as nanoprecipitation, emulsion-diffusion, double-emulsification, and layer by layer provides greater advantages to develop micro- and nanoparticles because it is simple, low cost, uses a low amount of solvents, and products are obtained in one step. This technique could also be applied in the agrifood sector for the preparation of controlled and/or prolonged release systems of fertilizer or agrochemicals, for which more research must be conducted.

Physicochemical Changes of Starch in Maize Tortillas During Storage at Room and Refrigeration Temperatures

Physicochemical changes of starch and loss of texture were determined in maize tortillas during 72 h storage at room and refrigeration temperatures. Properties analyzed included apparent amylose content, content of enzyme resistant starch (RS) type III, and thermal properties determined with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-rays diffraction. In addition, tortilla firmness was assessed using an uniaxial compression test with a texture analyzer. Storage temperature did not significantly affect firming rate or starch properties, except from thermal properties. Firmness was developed mainly during the first 24 h storage, remained nearly the same during 24—48 h and slightly increased after 72 h storage. Resistant starch (RS) formation followed the same trend as development of firmness. A first order endothermic transition that can be attributed to amylopectin retrogradation was observed after 2 h storage at both temperatures. This transition shifted to higher temperatures during storage, the effect was specially evident for refrigerated tortillas. X ray diffraction patterns of stored tortillas suggested that crystallinity slightly increased during storage. Most of the loss of tortilla texture, determined as firmness, occurred during the first 24 h storage at room and refrigeration storage conditions. This loss of texture was likely due to starch retrogradation and the latter possibly increased content of resistant starch.

Preparation and characterization of durum wheat (Triticum durum) straw cellulose nanofibers by electrospinning.

Cellulose nanofibers from durum wheat straw ( Triticum durum ) were produced and characterized to study their potential as reinforcement fibers in biocomposites. Cellulose was isolated from wheat straw by chemical treatment. Nanofibers were produced via an electrospinning method using trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) as the solvent. The nanofibers were 270 ± 97 nm in diameter. Analysis of the FT-IR spectra demonstrated that the chemical treatment of the wheat straw removed hemicellulose and lignin. XRD revealed that the crystallinity of the cellulose was reduced after electrospinning, but nanofibers remained highly crystalline. The glass transition temperature (T(g) value) of the fibers was 130 °C, higher than that of cellulose (122 °C), and the degradation temperature of the fibers was 236 °C. Residual TFA was not present in the nanofibers as assessed by the FT-IR technique.

Preparation, Characterization and Release of Urea from Wheat Gluten Electrospun Membranes

Homogeneous and thin porous membranes composed of oriented fibers were obtained from wheat gluten (WG) using the electrospinning technique. SEM micrographs showed an asymmetric structure and some porosity, which, in addition to a small thickness of 40 μm, are desirable characteristics for the membranes’ potential application in release systems. The membranes were loaded with urea to obtain pastilles. FT-IR and DSC studies confirmed the existence of interactions via hydrogen bonding between urea and WG proteins. The pastilles were studied as prolonged-released systems of urea in water. The release of urea during the first 10 min was very fast; then, the rate of release decreased as it reached equilibrium at 300 min, with a total of ≈98% urea released. TGA analysis showed that the release system obtained is thermally stable up to a temperature of 117 °C. It was concluded that a prolonged-release system of urea could be satisfactorily produced using WG fibers obtained by electrospinning for potential application in agricultural crops.

Characterization of water extractable arabinoxylans from a spring wheat flour: rheological properties and microstructure.

In the present study water extractable arabinoxylans (WEAX) from a Mexican spring wheat flour (cv. Tacupeto F2001) were isolated, characterized and gelled and the gel rheological properties and microstructure were investigated. These WEAX presented an arabinose to xylose ratio of 0.66, a ferulic acid and diferulic acid content of 0.526 and 0.036 µg/mg WEAX, respectively and a Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FT-IR) spectrum typical of arabinoxylans. The intrinsic viscosity and viscosimetric molecular weight values for WEAX were 3.5 dL/g and 504 kDa, respectively. WEAX solution at 2% (w/v) formed gels induced by a laccase as cross-linking agent. Cured WEAX gels registered storage (G’) and loss (G’’) modulus values of 31 and 5 Pa, respectively and a diferulic acid content of 0.12 µg/mg WEAX, only traces of triferulic acid were detected. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of the lyophilized WEAX gels showed that this material resembles that of an imperfect honeycomb.

Effect of extrusion processing parameters on anthocyanin content and physicochemical properties of nixtamalized blue corn expanded extrudates

Nixtamalized blue corn expanded extrudates were elaborated in a single screw extruder using feed moisture (FM) of 14, 15, 16, 16.5, 18.5 and 20.5%; ground corn with different particle size indexes (PSI, 83.97 and 94.15), and at a final extruder temperature of 130 and 140°C. The physicochemical properties of extrudates evaluated were moisture content, total anthocyanin and cyanidin 3-glucoside (C3G) content, color, density and expansion index. Extrudates processed at 16 and 16.5% of FM showed higher total anthocyanin and C3G contents. The extrudates processed with 16% FM, at 130°C and PSI of 83.97, showed the highest total anthocyanin content (211.1 mg · kg−1). Cyanidin 3-glucoside showed an increase (11.3%) in extrudates when compared with raw corn. The expansion index was higher for those made with FMs of 14, 15, 16 and 16.5%. The total anthocyanin and C3G contents were not correlated with any other parameter.

Entrapment of Probiotics in Water Extractable Arabinoxylan Gels: Rheological and Microstructural Characterization

Due to their porous structure, aqueous environment and dietary fiber nature arabinoxylan (AX) gels could have potential applications for colon-specific therapeutic molecule delivery. In addition, prebiotic and health related effects of AX have been previously demonstrated. It has been also reported that cross-linked AX can be degraded by bacteria from the intestinal microbiota. However, AX gels have not been abundantly studied as carrier systems and there is no information available concerning their capability to entrap cells. In this regard, probiotic bacteria such as Bifidobacterium longum have been the focus of intense research activity lately. The objective of this research was to investigate the entrapment of probiotic B. longum in AX gels. AX solution at 2% (w/v) containing B. longum (1 × 107 CFU/cm) formed gels induced by laccase as cross-linking agent. The entrapment of B. longum decreased gel elasticity from 31 to 23 Pa, probably by affecting the physical interactions taking place between WEAX chains. Images of AX gels containing B. longum viewed under a scanning electron microscope show the gel network with the bacterial cells entrapped inside. The microstructure of these gels resembles that of an imperfect honeycomb. The results suggest that AX gels can be potential candidates for the entrapment of probiotics.

Obtaining ready-to-eat blue corn expanded snacks with anthocyanins using an extrusion process and response surface methodology.

Extrusion is an alternative technology for the production of nixtamalized products. The aim of this study was to obtain an expanded nixtamalized snack with whole blue corn and using the extrusion process, to preserve the highest possible total anthocyanin content, intense blue/purple coloration (color b) and the highest expansion index. A central composite experimental design was used. The extrusion process factors were: feed moisture (FM, 15%–23%), calcium hydroxide concentration (CHC, 0%–0.25%) and final extruder temperature (T, 110–150 °C). The chemical and physical properties evaluated in the extrudates were moisture content (MC, %), total anthocyanins (TA, mg·kg−1), pH, color (L, a, b) and expansion index (EI). ANOVA and surface response methodology were applied to evaluate the effects of the extrusion factors. FM and T significantly affected the response variables. An optimization step was performed by overlaying three contour plots to predict the best combination region. The extrudates were obtained under the following optimum factors: FM (%) = 16.94, CHC (%) = 0.095 and T (°C) = 141.89. The predicted extrusion processing factors were highly accurate, yielding an expanded nixtamalized snack with 158.87 mg·kg−1 TA (estimated: 160 mg·kg−1), an EI of 3.19 (estimated: 2.66), and color parameter b of −0.44 (estimated: 0.10).

Starch Debranching Enzyme Activity and Its Effects on Some Starch Physicochemical Characteristics in Developing Substituted and Complete Triticales (X Triticosecale Wittmack)

The present work was carried out to make a comparison between the starch debranching enzyme activity and the synthesis of total carbohydrates, starch, amylose, and amylopectin in developing kernels of two sets of triticales differing in genome composition (complete and substituted triticales). The results showed that the carbohydrate and starch accumulation observed in both genotypes of triticales increased rapidly at the early stage, reaching the maximum at the medium stage and decreasing slightly or remaining relatively constant at the last stage of kernel development. At the end of the development stage, the mature grains of complete and substituted triticales accumulated 62.5 and 54.6% starch, respectively. Both sets of triticales showed the same amylose accumulation profile as well as degree of polymerization; however, at the maturity stage there was a small but significant difference between the two sets. The final polymerization values of amylose chains in mature seeds of complete and substituted t...