Starch chain-length distributions determine cooked foxtail millet texture and starch physicochemical properties

• Published in: Carbohydrate polymers 2023-11, Vol.320, p.121240-121240, Article 121240
• Main Authors: Xing, Bao, Yang, Xiushi, Zou, Liang, Liu, Jingke, Liang, Yongqiang, Li, Mengzhuo, Zhang, Zhuo, Wang, Nuo, Ren, Guixing, Zhang, Lizhen, Qin, Peiyou
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amylopectin chain-length distributions; Amylose chain-length distributions; Correlation analysis; Foxtail millet; Starch physicochemical properties; Textural properties
• ISSN: 0144-8617; 1879-1344
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.121240

Starch chain-length distributions play an important role in controlling cereal product texture and starch physicochemical properties. Cooked foxtail millet texture and starch physicochemical properties were investigated and correlated with starch chain-length distributions in eight foxtail millet varieties. The average chain lengths of amylopectin and amylose were in the range of DP 24–25 and DP 878–1128, respectively. The percentage of short amylopectin chains (Ap1) was negatively correlated with hardness but positively correlated with adhesiveness and cohesion. Conversely, the amount of amylose intermediate chains was positively correlated with hardness but negatively correlated with adhesiveness and cohesion. Additionally, the amount of amylose long chains was negatively correlated with adhesiveness and chewiness. The relative crystallinity (RC) of starch decreased with reductions in the length of amylopectin short chains in foxtail millet. Pasting properties were mainly influenced by the relative length of amylopectin side chains and the percentage of long amylopectin branches (Ap2). Longer amylopectin long chains resulted in lower gelatinization temperature and enthalpy (ΔH). The amount of starch branched chains had important effects on the gelatinization temperature range (ΔT). These results can provide guidance for breeders and food scientists in the selection of foxtail millet with improved quality properties. [Display omitted] •Foxtail millet generally has long amylopectin chains and short amylose chains.•Foxtail millet varieties with lower hardness have much better palatability.•Higher branching degree of amylopectin chains led to softer cooked foxtail millet.•Starch chain-length distributions were important for its thermal properties.•Starch thermal properties determine the texture of cooked foxtail millet.