Functionality of chemically modified wild-type, partial waxy and waxy starches from tetraploid wheats
Partial waxy (reduced-amylose) and fully waxy (amylose-free) tetraploid durum wheats (Triticum turgidum L. var durum) were developed by introgression of null alleles at the Wx-A1 and Wx-B1 loci from common hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Purified starches were obtained from each genotype, and chemically modified by: 1) cross-linking with phosphorus oxychloride, 2) substitution with propylene oxide, and 3) sequential cross-linking with phosphorus oxychloride followed by substitution with propylene oxide. Functional properties were compared to blends of waxy and wild-type durum starches of known amylose contents. Significant differences in functionality were observed amongst the genotypes and blends after each modification. Waxy (0% amylose) and wild-type (30% amylose) typically were at the extremes of the observed ranges of functional properties. In general, the functional properties of the chemically modified starches were dependent upon amylose content. Starches from Wx-B1 null lines (24% amylose), were an exception. After substitution, such starches had the significantly highest value for RVA final viscosity, and generally performed in a manner similar to starch blends of 12–18% amylose.
Structure and physicochemical properties of two waxy wheat starches.
The objective of this study was to determine the primary influences of amylopectin (AP) on starch properties using two waxy wheat starches with different pasting properties. Compared with Yang Nuo Mai 1 (YNM1) starch, Ning Nuo Mai 1 (NNM1) starch had a greater average granule diameter, hot water solubility, gelatinization enthalpy, higher pasting viscosity, but lower retrogradation enthalpy. NNM1 starch had a greater proportion of AP long chains, and lower proportion of AP short chains. Therefore, NNM1 starch had a greater degree of crystallinity as well as stronger resonance intensities at the C1, C2, C3, C5, and C6 by solid-state 13C CP/MAS NMR. These results suggested that the proportion of long AP chains (DP ≥ 37) is the main influencing factor in determining waxy starch physicochemical properties. In addition, the proportion of short AP chains (DP 13-24) plays a role in promoting retrogradation of waxy wheat starch.
Assessment of some agro-technological parameters of cactus pear fruit ( Opuntia ficus-indica Mill . ) in Morocco cultivars
Cactaceae had always attracted attention by their strange shapes and important adaptability supporting extreme conditions. For this reasons, Fruit traits were measured on 13 cultivars growing in different locations in Morocco. Results show significant differences between the cultivars. The source of this variation was probably genetic without excluding the geographic effects. The Tamri, Berkan, Ait Baha cultivars showed small fruit dimensions and weight. In contrast, Sidi-Ifni M, Nador, Mohammedia and Ben Guerir were greater than 100 g by fruit. Sidi-Ifni M, Hoceima, Mohammedia and Nador, although larger, contained few seeds, about 200 seeds per fruit; while Tamri, Ait Baha, Safi, Meknes and Tafraout contained over than 230 seeds per fruit. High levels of juice about 62 ml/100 g pulp were obtained with Sidi-Ifni M, Nador, Mohammedia and Ben Guerir cultivars. Total sugars of the 13 cultivars were quite similar and pH was low in Tamri and close to neutrality in the rest of cultivars. Therefore, oil extracted from Opuntia ficus-indica seeds constituted 13.6% of the whole seed. Thin-layer chromatography in conjunction with gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed a relatively high degree of unsaturation, 83.32% and 16% for saturated fatty acid, with a linoleic acid content of 63.66% followed by oleic 18.34%, palmitic 12.84% and stearic acid 2.81%. Based on these results, O. ficus-indica seed oil appears to be a good potential source of edible oil for human and (or) animal consumption. Our investigation describes that Tamri and Tafraout cultivars are not really a commercial viable fruit due to low total soluble solids value and highest seeds number per fruit. Against Mohammedia, Sidi Ifni M and Nador cultivars proved to have the highest fruit weight, very good total soluble solids value and low number of seeds, these cultivars can therefore be planted for both fruit production and for harvesting of cladodes for animal feed.